The 79th NBA regular season is in the books and the playoffs are just around the corner, starting this Saturday. The reigning champion Boston Celtics (61-21) are the team to watch as they look to defend their crown, becoming the first team since the Golden State Warriors to win 60 or more games in consecutive seasons, the Warriors did it three in a row from 2014-2017. So far, only four first-round matchups have been set, with the play-in tournament still shaking things up. In the East, the Milwaukee Bucks get a chance for redemption against the Indiana Pacers, who knocked them out in the same round last year. The New York Knicks, meanwhile, take on the Detroit Pistons, who have made a stunning turnaround, going from a franchise-worst 14-68 in 2023-24 to 44-38 this year, the sixth-biggest jump in NBA history.
Out West, the Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers is a lock must-watch, I mean a healthy Kawhi Leonard and James Harden against Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, you can’t ask the baksetball gods for more. The Los Angeles Lakers will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves. Last season, the Wolves reached the conference finals before falling to Luka Doncic’s Dallas Mavericks, and now Doncic is wearing purple and gold while leading the team in points, rebounds, and minutes since his trade and helping the Lakers reach 50 wins, their best mark since the 2020 title year.
Redick’s Take and Bronny’ First Start
Remember how the season started? LeBron James stepping onto the court with his son, Bronny, in a moment that felt like something out of a movie. That was months ago, and things have changed a lot. In the Lakers‘ final game of the regular season, coach JJ Redick had clinched the third seed and decided to give LeBron James and the starters a breather against the Portland Trail Blazers. Instead, he went with a lineup heavy on rookies and G-Leaguers. Bold? Sure. Successful? Not so much. Portland crushed them 109-81. Bronny James, making his first NBA start, scored 4 points in 38 minutes, tough sledding for a rookie. Redick didn’t mince words after the game: “We’re turning the page on the playoffs. Tonight was tough on two bigs that haven’t seen a lot of time.” With the Timberwolves up next, he’s got bigger fish to fry than dissecting this loss.
Bronny’s role in the playoffs, though? Don’t expect much. The Lakers have a solid rotation, and in crunch time, Redick’s more likely to turn to rookie Dalton Knecht, who dropped 25 points in the Blazers beatdown before giving Bronny serious minutes. Still, the kid is keeping his head up. “I’m just getting ready,” Bronny said after the game. “Playoff basketball is a whole different level, and I’m here to soak it up and help us win.” His season stats – 2.3 points, 0.7 rebounds and 0.8 assists on 31.3% shooting – won’t turn heads, but he’s got his dad, his heart and his willingness to learn. For now, though, the Lakers’ postseason hopes rest on Luka and Lebron plus the veterans, not the rookies.
Play-In Showdowns Set the Stage
Before the playoffs really heat up, the fifth annual play-in tournament kicks off tomorrow, and it’s a wild scramble for the final spots. In the West, the Golden State Warriors host the Memphis Grizzlies, and the winner gets the Houston Rockets, who are back in the postseason after four years on the sidelines. The loser plays the winner of the Sacramento Kings vs. Dallas Mavericks on Friday. Survive that, and it’s a date with the Oklahoma City Thunder (68-14), who are coming off their best season ever – a top seed two years in a row, a franchise-record win total and a ridiculous 12.9 average point differential, the highest in NBA history. That’s not just good, that’s historic.
In the East, the Orlando Magic face the Atlanta Hawks. Win and they get the Celtics; lose and it’s a Friday showdown with the winner of the Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat. That Friday winner will be the Cleveland Cavaliers (64-18), who posted their second-best record ever and clinched the top seed in the East without LeBron James, a franchise first.
For the Lakers, the focus is on Minnesota, but the play-in chaos will shape the bigger picture. Redick’s crew has the talent to make noise, but they’ll need to shake off Portland’s stumble quickly. Bronny may be on the bench more than the court, but he’s got a front-row seat to a playoff run that could get really interesting.
