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Golden State Warriors: How final day shapes after Clippers regain fifth-seed

By Peter O'Keefe

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 15: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Clippers steals the ball from Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half of the game at Crypto.com Arena on March 15, 2023 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. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 15: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Clippers steals the ball from Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half of the game at Crypto.com Arena on March 15, 2023 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. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors completed the first step of their mission on Friday, defeating an undermanned Kings squad in Sacramento. However, the defending champions’ hold on fifth-place was displaced once again by the Los Angeles Clippers with their win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday.

It shapes as a huge final day of the season with all 30 teams playing across two different time slots. Golden State, and their Western Conference rivals battling for seeding, will all start their games at 12:30 Pacific Time.

The Golden State Warriors have ensured two opportunities in the Play-In Tournament, but they’ll look to avoid that altogether on the final day of the NBA regular season.

The win over the Kings means the Warriors cannot finish lower than eighth, providing some comfort given a ninth-place finish would have meant two sudden death games in order to secure a playoff spot. Golden State can still finish between fifth and eighth in the conference — let’s take a look at the possible outcomes.

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers will be hoping the Golden State Warriors falter on Sunday. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers will be hoping the Golden State Warriors falter on Sunday. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

The Warriors will finish fifth if –

They win against the Trail Blazers and the Clippers lose to the Suns in Phoenix. Los Angeles are not resting any of their starters on the second night of a back-to-back, according to head coach Ty Lue. Golden State would face the Suns in the first-round if this eventuated.

The Warriors will finish sixth if –

They win against the Trail Blazers and the Clippers win against the Suns. They would also finish sixth if they, the Lakers and the Pelicans all lose. Golden State would see the Kings in the first-round in this scenario.

The Warriors will finish seventh if –

They lose to the Trail Blazers and one of the Lakers or Pelicans lose in their matchups against the Utah Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves respectively. Golden State would host a play-in game, with the winner to secure the seven-seed.

The Warriors will finish eighth if –

They lose to the Trail Blazers and both the Lakers and Pelicans win against the Jazz and Timberwolves. Golden State would then have to hit the road for a play-in game to secure the seven-seed.

Next. Golden State Warriors taking necessary risk with Andrew Wiggins return. dark

The Warriors are an overwhelming favorite to beat Portland and therefore avoid the Play-In Tournament. However, as they saw in the second-quarter against the Kings, a lack of focus could put them in a nervy and uncomfortable situation.

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