Lakeholders, warriors predicted to fight for a finally guaranteed place for playoffs

As 2025-26 NBA Season AccessESPN Insider Panel released projected records for all 30 teams, predictive condensers, playback hopes and lower finishes. Among the Western Conference field Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors are predicts to be neck and neck For finally guaranteed calling-Pay-Path.

The ESPN projects Lakers to finish with a record of 50-32, putting them sixteen at the conference and provide the last automatic playoffs. They are listed behind Oklahoma City Thunder (64-18), Houston Rocket (54-28), Denver Nuggets (53-29), Minnesota Timbervolves (51-31) and La Clippers (50-32).

Despite the match of their projected records from the last season, when they They secured the seed 3 With less talent on the list, Lakers reduce below in the table this time. ESPN Analysts cited the strength of the rivar teams as a key reason for shift. Los Angeles enters the season Dropping out the output from the first circumference in Timbervolves in five gamesBut Roster has passed a dramatic overhaul since.

ESPN projects Lakers’ Luka Doncic Era, variors’ Jimmy Butler-Led core to shape Rasina from player

The The most significant changes of Lakerss came at February time for trade, when Gained Luka Doncic from Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Anthony Davis. The front office has added Marcus Smart, Jake Laravia and Deandra Aton to replenish Doncic and Veteran Lebron Jameswhich is prepared for its season from 23. NBA.

The ESPN team MacMahon stressed the intrigue around the team.

“Lejkerri is awarded the most motionable team in the West, because they cross the port of Doncic Eco with all weather stress Lebron James still on the list and is very on the list.”

Meanwhile, warriors are forecasting as a team reproduction with a projecting of 48-34 records, good for the seventh seed. The golden state ended with the same rating last season, providing place in the playoffs after the late nacher who caused Acquisition Jimmy Butler III with Miami heat. Butler’s arrival helped the warriors set 23-8 recording stretching stretching, pushing them into postseason.

Warrior’s health will be crucial as Lakers SOOM in the opening of the season

In the playoff of 2025. years, The gold country is remembered by other rockets in the opening before the injuries ended their run. Stephen Curri suffered injury to the shin in the game 1 Another circle against Minnesota, it is originally for the rest of the series. Timbervolves advanced in five games.

ESPN Anthony Slater emphasized the challenges facing the golden state this season.

“The west is so full of candidates that it will be inevitably playing extra players like warriors and Mavery, and will not receive the above team. The Seventh Warriors Seeds Seeds Other Seeds In The First Coll last April. If Stephen Curri, Jimmy Butler III and Draimond Green They are healthy, the top west for the western two sees will not be ecstatic to see warriors from the seventh or eighth groove this spring. “

Lachers and warriors, positioned side by side in ESPN projections, opened a new season to each other at the site of Cripto.com Arena. Tipoff is set for 22 hours and on NBC Peacock.