“Go Lakers” is likely a phrase Phoenix Suns supporters don’t want to hear from any player, particularly not from their star player.
The Suns (48-33) hold the No. 7 seed in the West and could move up to No. 6 (avoiding the play-in) if the Lakers (46-35) defeat the New Orleans Pelicans (49-32) on Sunday and Phoenix wins its final regular-season game against the Minnesota Timberwolves (56-25), as the Suns hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Pelicans.
“For the last month or so, we’ve talked about all the possible outcomes and scenarios, so we’ve really focused on our own team,” Booker said. “You can go crazy watching other games and wishing for different results. In the end, you have to be prepared to play whoever you face.”
The Golden State Warriors could have helped the Suns move up to No. 6 by beating the Pelicans last night, but they lost 114-109, giving the Pelicans their fourth consecutive victory.
The Lakers kept their play-in hopes alive by defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 123-120. This win, combined with losses from the Kings and Warriors, propelled the Lakers from No. 10 to No. 8 in the standings.
Phoenix can’t drop below the No. 7 seed, so there’s a chance the Suns could face the Lakers in the first round of the play-in.
The No. 7 seed hosts the No. 8 seed to start the play-in, while the No. 9 seed hosts the No. 10 seed in another matchup. The winner of the 7-8 game advances to play the No. 2 seed in the playoffs. The loser plays the winner of the 9-10 game, and the winner of that game progresses to face the No. 1 seed.
"Go Lakers."
Devin Booker cracks smile as Suns need to win at Minnesota Sunday and have the Lakers win in New Orleans to capture the 6th seed in West and avoid play-in. #Suns #Pelicans #Lakers pic.twitter.com/GNT0rjBUMN
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) April 13, 2024
If L.A. beats New Orleans and Phoenix loses to Minnesota, Phoenix will host the Lakers in the play-in game. Alternatively, if the Suns win or lose, and the Lakers, Kings, and Warriors all lose, this could also result in the Suns facing the Lakers.
Currently, the Oklahoma City Thunder, Timberwolves, and Denver Nuggets are tied for the No. 1 seed, all holding a 56-25 record, leaving the identity of the play-in winners’ opponents unclear.