Game 82 is here for every NBA team. It marks the end of the regular season for 10 clubs, while for 13 others, it’s the final game before the playoffs. Additionally, for seven Western Conference teams, the significance of Game 82 is akin to a Game 7.
The NBA regular season concludes on Sunday, with seven Western Conference teams bound for the postseason eagerly awaiting their final standings. The fate of these teams could be determined simultaneously, as the games that will impact the unclaimed playoff spots in the West kick off around 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
All 30 teams will be in action on this decisive day, with some simply wanting to wrap things up and others seeking answers. Golden State’s Stephen Curry likened the atmosphere to that of a Game 7, emphasizing the importance of securing a playoff spot.
In the West, four teams – Golden State, Denver, the LA Clippers, and Minnesota – are competing for three guaranteed playoff berths, with the added incentive of securing home-court advantage in the first round for one of them. The team that misses out will have to compete in a play-in game on Tuesday.
For these teams, the equation is clear: win and you’re in. The game between Golden State and the Clippers holds particular significance, as the loser will likely find themselves in the play-in game. Utah’s outcome against Minnesota will also influence the Timberwolves’ playoff fate.
As the race for the last three playoff spots in the West tightens, teams like Minnesota are focused on winning their final game to control their destiny. The playoff picture is also uncertain for teams like Memphis, Sacramento, and Dallas, with play-in scenarios for the seventh to tenth seeds.
In the Eastern Conference, the playoff order is already determined, with Cleveland, Boston, New York, and Indiana claiming the top four spots. Play-in games will determine the final two playoff spots in the East.
In the West, the top three seeds are secured by Oklahoma City, Houston, and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers aim to secure one more win before the playoffs begin, with the team proud of their regular-season accomplishments.
Finally, as the regular season wraps up, there are players aiming to appear in all 82 games, highlighting their durability and commitment throughout the season.
New York’s Mikal Bridges is on track to play all 82 games for the umpteenth time. Having appeared in every one of the 555 regular-season games in his career, along with 39 playoff games and all 116 of Villanova’s college games, Bridges has a near-perfect attendance record. The only game he missed was due to illness in his junior year of high school. Meanwhile, San Antonio’s Chris Paul could join the ranks of the oldest players to start all 82 games, with John Stockton holding the current record. Stockton achieved this feat in the season he turned 40, while Paul won’t reach that milestone until May 6. If Paul accomplishes this, he would be the first player to do so in his 20th season or beyond, as Stockton played 19 seasons. Others aiming to start all 82 games include Jarrett Allen from Cleveland, Harrison Barnes from San Antonio, Jalen Green from Houston, and Jaden McDaniels from Minnesota. Additionally, Julian Champagnie from San Antonio, Buddy Hield from Golden State, Malik Beasley from Detroit, Bub Carrington from Washington, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker from Minnesota are also on track to play their 82nd games of the season on Sunday.
In the realm of 50-win teams, Oklahoma City, Cleveland, Boston, Houston, the Lakers, and New York have already achieved this milestone for the season. Indiana, Denver, and the Clippers could potentially reach the 50-win mark as well on Sunday. If all three teams succeed, it will mark the first time since the 2014-15 season that nine teams have won 50 or more games in a single season. Notably, the Thunder, Cavaliers, and Celtics are poised to finish with at least 60 wins, a feat not seen in the NBA since the 2008-09 season when three teams accomplished this. Of these teams, Boston stands out with its 15th season of winning 60 or more games, further solidifying its position with the most such seasons in NBA history.
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