Lakers playoff standings: Updated scenarios, schedule for L.A. in 2026 NBA bracket
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Lakers playoff standings: Updated scenarios, schedule for L.A. in 2026 NBA bracket originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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The Los Angeles Lakers have clinched a playoff berth.
The Lakers are headed back to the postseason for the fourth year in a row. With the regular season winding down, Los Angeles has not only secured a spot in the postseason but is also guaranteed to avoid the play-in tournament and will have home-court advantage in the first round.
This is an important distinction because Los Angeles will head into the playoffs missing some key players. Both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves will be sidelined at the start of the playoffs, and the remaining healthy Lakers will need to keep the team's championship hopes alive until they return. The seed that Los Angeles ends up with, and its subsequent first-round opponent, could be hugely important with the injuries.
Here is more on the updated scenarios and schedule for the Lakers in the 2026 NBA playoff bracket.
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Lakers playoff scenarios 2026
The Lakers have already punched their ticket to the playoffs. Los Angeles has not only clinched a playoff berth but has already locked down the Pacific Division title. Granted, in the NBA, winning the division isn't tied to a specific playoff seed cutoff like the NFL, but the Lakers are still in a good position.
With one regular-season games to go, Los Angeles is 52-29, and since playoff seeding is based on win percentage, even if the Lakers were to lose out with their injury concerns, they could not fall below the No. 4 seed. The Lakers don't control their destiny to the No. 3 seed, with the Nuggets having the upper hand by a game.
Los Angeles is guaranteed home-court advantage in the Western Conference first round for the 2026 playoffs.
MORE: Why is Luka Doncic going to Europe to get treatment on his injured hamstring?
Lakers standings 2026
These standings are updated after the games finished on Friday, April 1.
SeedTeamWinsLossesGames Back1Thunder6417--2Spurs621923Nuggets5328114Lakers5229125Rockets5130136Timberwolves4833167Suns4437208Trail Blazers4140239Clippers41402310Warriors374427MORE: How Luka Doncic's injury impacts Lakers playoff chances, NBA MVP odds
Lakers remaining schedule
Here are the games that the Lakers have left in the 2025-2026 regular season.
- Sunday, April 12 vs. Jazz
MORE: How long is Austin Reaves out?
Lakers potential playoff opponents
With the Lakers locked into the No. 3 or 4 seed in the Western Conference playoffs, it narrows their possible first-round opponents.
With one game left, the Lakers have two possible first-round opponent. Los Angeles could play either the Minnesota Timberwolves or Houston Rockets in the first round, depending on how Sunday goes.