NBA’s Western Conference Playoff Chart Shows Wild Number of Scenarios in Play

The NBA’s Eastern Conference is all set for the playoffs. The Bucks and Celtics locked down the top two seeds, the 76ers, Cavaliers, Knicks and Nets have the next four playoff spots, and the Heat, Hawks, Raptors and Bulls will battle it out in the play-in tournament.

Meanwhile, the Western Conference has been chaos all year, and the final two days of the regular season are no exception.

The Nuggets, Grizzlies, Kings and Suns have clinched playoff spots. The Mavericks, Jazz, Trail Blazers, Spurs and Rockets are ready to book spring vacations. The middle of the conference, however, is up in the air as the Warriors, Clippers, Lakers, Pelicans and Timberwolves jockey for the final two playoff spots and the Thunder are locked into the play-in tournament.

To (arguably) help fans sort through the madness, the NBA released an official chart showing every single scenario and how it will impact the positioning of seeds five through nine. Ahead of a short three-game Saturday afternoon slate (including the Timberwolves and Clippers facing the Spurs and Blazers, respectively), 64 different scenarios remain alive. As a result, the NBA’s color-coded chart is as confusing to look at from afar as it is informative.

Of the 64 scenarios, here is the breakdown of seeding options for each team:

Warriors: No. 5 seed (26 scenarios), No. 6 (22), No. 7 (10), No. 8 (6)

Clippers: No. 5 (24), No. 6 (12), No. 7 (18), No. 8 (8), No. 9 (2)

Lakers: No. 5 (4), No. 6 (12), No. 7 (18), No. 8 (28), No. 9 (2)

Pelicans: No. 5 (10), No. 6 (16), No. 7 (10), No. 8 (16), No. 9 (12)

Timberwolves: No. 6 (2), No. 7 (8), No. 8 (6), No. 9 (48)