- The Los Angeles Lakers’ odds of making the 2024 NBA Playoffs recently took a nosedive.
- The Lakers are coming off back-to-back losses with two games remaining in the regular season.
- With the Suns’ win over the Clippers, the Lakers last chance to make the playoffs is the 2024 NBA Play-In Tournament
The Los Angeles Lakers’ odds of making the NBA playoffs received a major blow this week. After losses to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors, the Lakers’ playoff odds shifted from -120 to +205 at Bovada.
According to Bovada, the Lakers went from having a better than 50% chance of qualifying for the playoffs to less than 50%.
As of writing, at +205, LeBron James’ Lakers have an implied probability of 32.8% to make the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
It’s a sudden departure from where the Lakers were heading previously. From March 31 to April 6, the Lakers were on a four-game winning streak. In their latest win, the Lakers dispatched the Cleveland Cavaliers by a score of 116-97.
Most recently, the Lakers struggled to put away the Timberwolves and Warriors at Crypto.com Arena. On Sunday, April 7, behind a huge second quarter, the Timberwolves defeated LA without James, 127-117.
James returned to the starting lineup on Tuesday, though it didn’t matter in a 134-120 loss to the Warriors. Nevertheless, the Lakers have been one of the most successful teams in the league since the start of February.
They’ve won 21 of their previous 30 matchups to advance to 45-35. Currently, the Lakers are ninth in the Western Conference, having played one more game than the 44-35 Warriors.
The Lakers trail the sixth placed New Orleans Pelicans by 2.5 games for the final playoff spot in the West, sans the Play-In Tournament.
Suns Crush Lakers NBA Playoff Hopes
The top six teams in each conference will make the playoffs without having to go through the NBA Play-In Tournament. The No. 7 to No. 10 seeds will compete in the NBA Play-In Tournament to earn a spot in the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
The Suns’ 124-108 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night crippled the Lakers’ chances. There were several scenarios that could have helped the Lakers before Wednesday night, but that is no longer possible.
The Suns, Kings, and Pelicans playing each other down the stretch statistically removes the Lakers from the sixth seed. The Lakers needed the Suns to lose their final two games, but they also need the Kings to lose, who play the Suns tonight.
Additionally, the Pelicans and Kings play on Thursday night. Put differently, the schedule really hurt the Lakers down the stretch.
Lakers Heading Back To The NBA Play-In Tournament
Despite playing well since early February, the Lakers are heading back to the NBA Play-In Tournament.
The Lakers are no strangers to playing well in this postseason event. Last season, the Lakers qualified for the Play-In Tournament and made the most of their opportunity.
After winning the Western Conference Play-In, the Lakers beat the Grizzlies in the opening round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs. The team advanced to the Western Conference Finals with a second-round victory over the Warriors.
The Lakers would ultimately fall to the eventual NBA champion Denver Nuggets in a sweep.
The Warriors clinched a spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament, as well.
As of writing, the Warriors are +125 to make the 2024 NBA Playoffs, with an implied probability of 44.4%.
Per James, he doesn’t have much time left in the NBA. The four-time NBA champion admitted that he is nearing his retirement, though James did not explicitly state when that will be.
With Bronny James declaring for the 2024 NBA Draft, “King James” may be inclined to play at least one year in the league with his oldest son.
