The trade deadline has come and gone, and the All-Star break is soon coming to an end. Significant changes have shaken up the league, with Luka Doncic now a member of the Los Angeles Lakers and Jimmy Butler joining the Golden State Warriors. Anthony Davis has been traded to the Dallas Mavericks, although there is uncertainty regarding his return to action.
With the initial chaos behind them, teams are now focused on the final stretch of the season. Each squad has between 26 to 30 games left to play in this intense 7.5-week race toward the regular-season finale set for April 13. The action resumes on Wednesday when the Charlotte Hornets take on the Lakers. Historically, the importance of simply reaching the playoffs is underscored by recent seasons, where lower-seeded teams like those ranked No. 5 through No. 8 have advanced to the conference finals.
“I’m excited for the challenge ahead,” remarked Stephen Curry of the Warriors, who has recently been named the All-Star Game MVP for the second time. “Every game feels like a playoff match, which usually brings out the best in players.”
Some franchises have begun plotting their course for an eventual playoff run. Both Oklahoma City and Cleveland have impressive records of 44-10, sharing the best record in the league. The defending champion Boston Celtics are currently second in the Eastern Conference and are poised to shatter records for the most three-pointers made and attempted in a single season. Meanwhile, teams like New York, Denver, Houston, and the Lakers boast winning percentages greater than .600, a positive signal since 132 of the last 133 teams to reach the All-Star break with such records have gone on to make the playoffs.
“We have a solid team here in Oklahoma City,” stated Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, an All-Star guard and the leading MVP contender according to BetMGM Sportsbook. “Our experience is an asset, and we’re definitely eyeing a chance to win the NBA championship. But we understand that we need to earn it.”
On the other side of the spectrum are the teams that are pretty much eliminated. For the past 20 seasons, a staggering 98.8% of teams with a winning percentage below .400 at the All-Star break have missed the playoffs. This statistic spells trouble for franchises like Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Toronto, Charlotte, Utah, New Orleans, and Washington.
Thus, the current standings indicate that seven teams appear safe for playoff contention, while another seven seem to be out of the running. This leaves 16 teams engaged in a fierce battle for the remaining nine playoff slots—five of which will solidify by the regular season’s end, with the additional four determined through a play-in tournament shortly thereafter.
“The remaining 25 to 30 games are crucial for everyone involved,” commented Miami guard Tyler Herro, who recently clinched the 3-point shooting championship. “We’ve got a fresh roster, and we’re ready to hit the ground running. The pace will be fast, and every game counts over the next month and a half.”
In recent trades, the Heat sent Butler to the Warriors in exchange for Andrew Wiggins, while San Antonio procured De’Aaron Fox from Sacramento. The Los Angeles Clippers, who have struggled to have Kawhi Leonard on the court this season but now finally have him back, are poised to make a significant impact as well.
“I believe we have a real shot,” asserted Clippers All-Star guard James Harden. “With our new additions for shooting and defense, and a healthy Kawhi, we can compete against anyone. It’s all about discovering our playing style and executing it effectively.”
Milwaukee made headlines by trading for Kyle Kuzma, which involved moving Khris Middleton, a long-time Bucks player, to Washington. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns opted to keep Kevin Durant, indicating their hopes are pinned on their star trio consisting of Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal to launch a decisive push.
“We’re all trying to find our rhythm,” Durant expressed. “With 28 to 29 games ahead, we have the time to figure things out. That’s the exciting part—how to overcome any hurdles.”
The situation in Dallas regarding Davis’s injury is certainly a setback, especially amid several other injuries impacting the Mavericks’ frontcourt. Doncic is still working back from a calf strain, meaning that he and James will require time to develop chemistry as an elite pairing. The Warriors are eager for Butler’s arrival to reignite the competitive fire in their roster, hoping that he can help Curry, Draymond Green, and coach Steve Kerr reclaim their championship glory.
Hope is abundant throughout the league, and all teams recognize that the time to make an impact is now as they move into the decisive end of the season. “We have roughly 27 games left to make our move,” Curry noted. “Our goal is simply to secure a playoff spot and have a legitimate chance to be a challenging opponent in the Western Conference. We feel good about the road ahead.”
