The Lakers didn't play today, but they have already reaped 2 benefits.
In Zion's absence, the Pelicans lost 109-111 to the Spurs, suffering a four-game losing streak.
The comeback failed, and the Kings lost 100-101 to the Celtics on the road, suffering two consecutive defeats.
Both of these teams are the main rivals of the Lakers, and their loss together undoubtedly allows the Lakers to open champagne to celebrate.
After those two games, the Kings have a 44-33 record, the Pelicans have a 43-32 record, and the Lakers have a 44-33 record. In terms of record, the Lakers have tied the Kings in 8th place, and are only one win behind the Pelicans in 7th place. However, because the Kings swept the Lakers in the regular season, with the same record, the Kings are still 8th and the Lakers are 9th, but the gap is already very small.
It can be said that as of today, the Lakers officially saw the hope of rushing 8 and rushing 7, although they were swept by the king, but the Lakers still have an advantage, that is, in the last game, the Lakers challenged the Pelicans away, although they were 1 win behind, but the Lakers had a chance to erase the gap through a head-to-head match.
Therefore, as long as the Lakers can get stuck with the Kings in the next games and beat the Pelicans in the last game, they will have a chance to rise to 7th place in the West.
In terms of mutual records, the Lakers 0-4 Kings, the Kings 0-4 Pelicans, if the Lakers beat the Pelicans in the last 1 game, then the Lakers 3-1 Pelicans, if the 3 teams have the same record, the Pelicans are in front, the Kings are 2nd, and the Lakers are still the worst, so the Lakers can't have the same record as the Kings, once they are the same as the Kings, no matter how many teams are bundled, it will be difficult to save the Lakers, and the Lakers must have a record that surpasses the Kings, but they can be the same as the Pelicans.
With all three teams having five games left, the competition has become even more fierce and cutthroat.
The remaining opponents of the Lakers are: Cavaliers, Timberwolves, Warriors, Grizzlies, Pelicans.
The Kings' remaining opponents are: Nets, Thunder, Pelicans, Suns, Trail Blazers.
The Pelicans' remaining opponents are: Suns, Trail Blazers, Kings, Warriors, Lakers.
The Lakers are completely in the driver's seat to catch up with the Pelicans, because they still have to play 1 time, and whether the Lakers can surpass the Kings depends on the performance of their opponents.
No. 7, No. 8, No. 9, the situation is completely different, if the Lakers can get 7th, and the 8th is the Pelicans, then the Lakers have a chance to make the playoffs and may avoid the Nuggets. But if the Lakers are in 9th place, it will be very difficult to make the playoffs.
The competition for the last few places in the West has entered the white heat, and I don't know if the Mavericks, Suns, and Warriors will also be entangled.