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Warriors enter Western Conference Playoffs as Second Seed
Isaiah Charles
April 19, 2024
Never count out a champion. Despite a slow start that saw the Warriors three-games under .500 near the quarter-way point of the year, Golden State rolled back to win 53 games and secure the two seed in the Western Conference Playoffs.
Golden State has looked equal parts Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. After starting the season anemic on the defensive end, the Warriors inserted Kostas Antetokounmpo into the rotation, springing a defensive renaissance that powered Golden State to the third best point differential in the West. Stephen Curry, meanwhile, spearheaded a potent Warrior offense that averaged the second most points the conference.
Golden State finished seven games behind the Utah Jazz in the West, who finished with 60 wins and the NBA’s top record. The Warriors and Jazz have met in three straight playoffs, including two Western Conference Finals, all belonging to Golden State. Should both teams meet in the Conference Finals yet again, the Jazz would own home court for the second straight year.
New Orleans, Memphis and the Clippers all finished with 51 wins a piece, but the Pelicans move into the three spot with the Grizzlies and Clippers behind them by way of a tie breaker. Oklahoma City’s 47 wins slots them into the six seed and a first round duel with the Pelicans, while Luka Doncic and the Mavericks will be the eight seed and face the Jazz.
In the East, Miami outlasted the Hawks to claim the top spot in the conference with 58 wins, three games ahead of Atlanta. Toronto put together yet another 50-win season, ending with a 51-31 record to take the three seed.
The Knicks, led by Trae Young, are back in the NBA playoffs thanks to a 48-win campaign.The success gets them the five seed and an identical record as the Boston Celtics. Chicago (41-41), Brooklyn (40-42) and Philadelphia (40-42) round out the top eight.
Milwaukee entered the final night of the regular season as the six seed with a chance to clinch a playoff spot, but thanks to a loss and wins by all the above, fell all the way out of the playoff picture at 40-42. This doesn’t bode well for the Bucks, with rumors swirling around the league about reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo’s dissatisfaction with the organization’s management of the roster. Many believe this could be the straw that breaks the camel's back.
2024 NBA Final Standings
| NBA Standings - Updated: Apr 17, 2024 |
| EAST PLAYOFF RACE | W | L | GB |
| Miami Heat | 58 | 24 | -- |
| Atlanta Hawks | 55 | 27 | 3 |
| Toronto Raptors | 51 | 31 | 7 |
| Boston Celtics | 48 | 34 | 10 |
| New York Knicks | 48 | 34 | 10 |
| Chicago Bulls | 41 | 41 | 17 |
| Brooklyn Nets | 40 | 42 | 18 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 40 | 42 | 18 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 40 | 42 | 18 |
| Detroit Pistons | 36 | 46 | 22 |
| Indiana Pacers | 36 | 46 | 22 |
| Orlando Magic | 32 | 50 | 26 |
| Charlotte Hornets | 31 | 51 | 27 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 30 | 52 | 28 |
| Washington Wizards | 15 | 67 | 43 |
| WEST PLAYOFF RACE | W | L | GB |
| Utah Jazz | 60 | 22 | -- |
| Golden State Warriors | 53 | 29 | 7 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 51 | 31 | 9 |
| Memphis Grizzlies | 51 | 31 | 9 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 51 | 31 | 9 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 47 | 35 | 13 |
| San Antonio Spurs | 46 | 36 | 14 |
| Dallas Mavericks | 44 | 38 | 16 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 39 | 43 | 21 |
| Denver Nuggets | 38 | 44 | 22 |
| Sacramento Kings | 35 | 47 | 25 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | 35 | 47 | 25 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 35 | 47 | 25 |
| Phoenix Suns | 28 | 56 | 32 |
| Houston Rockets | 15 | 67 | |