NBA Western Conference Playoff Set – ESPN 98.1 FM

With the NBA regular season coming to an end on Sunday, the Western Conference playoff order has been determined. The postseason begins Tuesday with the play-in tournament.

THE BRACKET IS SET 🍿 pic.twitter.com/guxcNaGEFf

– NBA (@NBA) April 14, 2024

Western Conference Play-In Outlook

The Western Conference is the first to begin its postseason play when the No. 7 seed New Orleans Pelicans (49-33) takes on the No. 8 seed Los Angeles Lakers (47-35). The Pelicans are looking for revenge against the Lakers after losing to Los Angeles 124-108 in the final game of the regular season. The winner of this game will face the defending champion Denver Nuggets (57-25).

After this game, the number 9 seed Sacramento Kings (46-36) will face the number 10 seed Golden State Warriors (46-36). The Kings ended their regular season on Sunday with a 121-82 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. The Warriors also ended their regular season with a loss to the Utah Jazz.

The #SoFiPlayIn Matchups are set!

Tuesday on TNT:
7:30 p.m./ET: #8 Lakers vs. #7 Pelicans
10:00 p.m./ET: #10 Warriors at #9 Kings

Wednesday on ESPN:
7:00 PM/ET: #8 Heat at #7 Sixers
9:30 p.m./ET: #10 Hawks at #9 Bulls pic.twitter.com/mARzNZhZJ9

– NBA (@NBA) April 15, 2024

Additionally, the winner of the Kings-Warriors game will face the loser of the Pelicans-Lakers game, with the loser being eliminated. Finally, the winner of the eighth seed will play in the first round against the number 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder (57-25).

Top seeds

The Oklahoma City Thunder secured the number 1 seed in the West with their 135:86 defeat against the Dallas Mavericks. This is the team's first playoff trip in four years. Right behind them is the defending champion Denver Nuggets with the number 2 seed. The Minnesota Timberwolves (56-26) and the Los Angeles Clippers (51-31) claim third and fourth spots. The Timberwolves face the number 6 seeded Phoenix Suns (49-33). The Clippers face the No. 5 seed Dallas Mavericks.

FINAL STANDINGS FOR THE 2023-24 NBA REGULAR SEASON! pic.twitter.com/H0fBmzOACZ

– NBA (@NBA) April 15, 2024

NBA Championship Odds

Although the Thunder hold first place in the West, the Nuggets are currently the favorites to win the Western Conference, according to FanDuel. The Los Angeles Clippers are behind. Additionally, the Nuggets have the highest odds of winning the NBA championship after the Boston Celtics.

Postseason schedule

Following the play-in tournament, the first round of the NBA playoffs begins on Saturday in a best-of-seven series. The second round begins on May 6th and 7th, but could be postponed to May 4th-5th if the first round ends early. Additionally, the conference finals begin May 21-22, but could be moved to May 19-20 if the second round ends early. The NBA Finals begin June 6 with a best-of-seven series between the winner of the Eastern and Western Conferences.