Are the Lakers in the playoffs 2026? Scenarios and standings explained

The 2026 NBA regular season is coming to a close, with April 12 marked as the final day on the calendar. Only four games remain, and they will determine the final standings heading into the playoff bracket.

In the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder are on the verge of securing the No. 1 seed, although a few teams could still threaten that position with a strong finish to the regular season.

The Lakers’ situation

If the season ended today, the Los Angeles Lakers would be the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference and would face the Minnesota Timberwolves, who currently sit in sixth place.

Last season, the Lakers reached the playoffs but were eliminated in the first round, ironically by those same Timberwolves, in five games.

Remaining schedule

• Oklahoma City Thunder (home) | April 7
• Golden State Warriors (away) | April 9
• Phoenix Suns (home) | April 10
• Utah Jazz (home) | April 12

What do the Lakers need to move up in the playoffs?

The Lakers have already secured a direct playoff berth. The highest seed they can realistically reach is third place. With a 50–28 record, they cannot catch the San Antonio Spurs (59–19) with only four games remaining.

However, their position is not completely locked in. They could still fall in the standings if either the Denver Nuggets (also 50–28) or even the Houston Rockets (48–29) finish the season stronger. As a result, their exact playoff matchup is still to be determined.

Western Conference Standings

• Oklahoma City Thunder | 62–16 | Clinched playoffs
• San Antonio Spurs | 59–19 | Clinched playoffs
• Los Angeles Lakers | 50–28 | Clinched playoffs
• Denver Nuggets | 50–28 | Clinched playoffs
• Houston Rockets | 48–29 | Clinched playoffs
• Minnesota Timberwolves | 46–32 | Clinched Play-In
• Phoenix Suns | 43–35 | Clinched Play-In
• Los Angeles Clippers | 40–38 | Clinched Play-In
• Portland Trail Blazers | 40–38 | Clinched Play-In
• Golden State Warriors | 36–42 | Clinched Play-In
• Memphis Grizzlies | 25–53 | Eliminated
• New Orleans Pelicans | 25–53 | Eliminated
• Dallas Mavericks | 24–53 | Eliminated
• Sacramento Kings | 21–57 | Eliminated
• Utah Jazz | 21–57 | Eliminated

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