On April 4, 2024, Beijing time, after nine fierce battles, the ranking pattern of the western region has undergone new changes. In the absence of two core players, the Thunder still showed tenacity in the face of the Celtics, but ultimately lost with a score of 100-135. Despite the loss, the Thunder remain firmly in third place in the West, just one win away from the top Nuggets and the Timberwolves, who also won today.
The Timberwolves won a crushing victory over the Raptors at home, and even without Towns and Conley, they still managed to win 133-85 as a team. The win allowed the Timberwolves to reach the top of the West, while the Nuggets slipped to second place. The two teams have the same record and jointly lead the West.
The battle between the Lakers and the Wizards was also exciting, and the Lakers, led by James and Thick Eyebrows, finally won 125-120 after four quarters of fierce battles. The win allowed the Lakers to close the gap to the Kings and Pelicans, adding more possibilities for the playoff race.
When the Pelicans faced the Magic at home, they showed tenacious fighting spirit despite Yingge's absence. However, the Magic won 117-108 over the Pelicans thanks to the excellent play of Banchero and Wagner Jr. The loss saw the Pelicans overtake them in the rankings by the Suns, who moved up from eighth to sixth after today's big win over the Cavaliers.
In addition, the Grizzlies performed miracles today, beating the Bucks by a beat, and the Trail Blazers narrowly beat the Hornets. The results of these matches have also further influenced the overall standings pattern in the West. Today, the top five teams in the West are extremely competitive with each other, and every game win or defeat can trigger a change in the standings.
Overall, today's NBA is full of surprises and uncertainties. Teams fought hard for a place in the playoffs, and fans also felt the charm of basketball in this fierce battle. Next, we will continue to pay attention to the ranking changes in the west and witness more exciting matchups.