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A Warriors-Lakers play-in game should be every fan’s dream

By Nathan Beighle

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers is guarded by Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half at Staples Center on January 18, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers is guarded by Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half at Staples Center on January 18, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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With the Warriors’ win over the Thunder, their relatively easy record to end the season, and the Trail Blazers’ victory over the Spurs, the Golden State Warriors are looking more and more likely to take on the Los Angeles Lakers in the No. 7 vs. No. 8 game of the play-in tournament.

The NBA made a few adjustments after kicking off the play-in tournament last season, and now only the top six seeds in a respective conference are safe. The reigning champion Lakers do not feel safe as they’ve struggled amid a concerning amount of injuries.

The Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers may face each other in the play-in tournament, a dream situation for every casual NBA fan.

There’s good news and bad news when it comes to taking on the Lakers over teams like the Blazers or Mavericks.

For starters, the Lakers are loaded with superstar talent, and they haven’t been healthy. LeBron James should be back for the play-in tournament. Anthony Davis is also finally healthy despite a scare against the Clippers.

Secondly, the Warriors have struggled mightily against the Lakers this season. They have both a 31-point loss and a 26-point loss. They did manage to beat the Lakers by two, finishing the season series with a 1-2 record.

Now, for the good news.

The good news is that the season series doesn’t matter, and the Warriors are surging. Stephen Curry just dropped 49 points and should be prepared and 100 percent for the play-in tournament which kicks off on May 18.

Curry is more than likely going to win the scoring title, and when that’s on your side, it’s certainly reassuring. The Dubs are going to have a shot at sending Los Angeles to play the winner of that No. 9 and No. 10 game. That is likely going to be a showdown between the Grizzlies and Spurs.

The Curry vs. James matchup has been an iconic one. While it was more notable when Klay Thompson was healthy and James has Kyrie Irving by his side, there’s no denying it will still be an entertaining matchup.

With the Lakers still hoping to climb up to that No. 6 seed, their injuries and schedule make that unlikely. For the Warriors, it could come down to who wins between them and the Grizzlies in the team’s last game of the regular season.

Fans should want the two superstars to face off. While it’s intriguing to think about the Lakers against the Warriors in a loser-go-home scenario, unless the Grizzlies beat the Lakers and then the Warriors beat the Spurs in the tournament, that’s not quite feasible.

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With all the star power in a potential Lakers-Warriors matchup, it would be a high-level play-in game. Curry is in high gear, and there might not be a single defense that can slow him down. Hopefully, he’ll get to show that eruption against Los Angeles in under ten days.

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