Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Los Angeles Lakers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Wins in their last two games over the Grizzlies and Rockets not only helped the Lakers remain in a race for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, it also effectively ruled out any chance of a play-in game appearance for the purple and gold.
The last time the Lakers made the playoffs and didn’t have to win a play-in game to get there was the 2020 season.
Now, instead of looking to secure home court in the play-in game, the Lakers can eye not just home court in the first round of the playoffs, but eye out which opponents they may match up with best. In our latest SB Nation Reacts survey, we asked which of the four teams below the Lakers — Grizzlies, Warriors, Clippers and Wolves — would fans most want to see in the first round.
Technically, the Lakers can still finish as high as the No. 2 seed. Theoretically, then, they could be on the complete opposite end of the play-in game and be waiting for an opponent to emerge from the first game between the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds.
As a result, there’s a lot of teams who could still meet the Lakers, even extending beyond the four listed. Still, these are the four most likely and would be intriguing matchups for LA.
Both the Grizzlies and Warriors are teams the purple and gold met during their 2023 playoff run, beating both teams in six games. To reach the playoffs that season, they had to go through the Wolves in the play-in game.
The Clippers are the only team they don’t have postseason history, though that’s not the Lakers fault. The two sides were on a crash course in 2020, but the Clippers flamed out of the bubble and the Lakers went on to win a title.
So, which team do you want to see the Lakers meet in the first round? Vote above and let us know your thoughts below!
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.
