It’s very likely that the Los Angeles Lakers will be part of the NBA Play-In Tournament again, just like they were last season.
And if they are able to get past their opponents in that competition, the Lakers could return to the playoffs.
They might be able to go far, according to Austin Rivers.
The former NBA player was on “Get Up,” and said the Lakers have what it takes to return to the Western Conference Finals.
However, he believes one team will stand in their way: the Denver Nuggets.
If the Lakers can avoid the Nuggets, @AustinRivers25 believes they could make a run back to the WCF 🔥 pic.twitter.com/tFfSE5eC5h
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) April 4, 2024
Rivers, like many others, thinks the Nuggets can be downright unstoppable, especially against the Lakers.
It’s been a long time since LA beat Denver and matching up against them in the first round of the playoffs would be a very tough assignment for LeBron James and his team.
The Nuggets are currently the second seed in the Western Conference but are constantly battling for the top spot with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Therefore, they could end anywhere from the first to third seed.
If the Lakers remain the ninth seed, the best they can do is earn the eighth seed through the Play-In Tournament.
That means they would play against whichever team sits at the top of the conference.
They would have much better luck against the Timberwolves and especially the Thunder.
The Lakers will have to play hard no matter who they are matched against but the Nuggets could put them in an extremely tough position.
But Rivers says that if they can avoid the reigning champions, the Lakers will be able to go far.
NEXT:
Keyshawn Johnson Has A 3-Word Message For Austin Reaves
