The Western Conference is in a state of flux, and it’s unclear which team will emerge from the pack to make a run to the NBA Finals. With Kevin Durant’s ankle injury delaying his debut with the Phoenix Suns and the Memphis Grizzlies dealing with injuries to key players, it’s anyone’s guess as to who will take the crown.
The Suns have the potential to make some noise, with the most amenable star this league has ever seen in Durant, and a strong core of Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and Deandre Ayton. But the lack of depth and continuity with each other could make it a hard trek no matter where they land in the playoff picture.
The Grizzlies have a promising young core led by Ja Morant, but his uncertain status has cast doubt on the team’s chances. With Brandon Clarke and Steven Adams out for the rest of the regular season, their depth has been severely depleted. Dillon Brooks has been a wild card all season, and if Morant returns healthy, it may not be enough to get the Grizzlies over the hump.
The Denver Nuggets have been consistent all season, led by MVP candidate Nikola Jokic. The team has improved defensively and has a great point differential, but they’ve failed to make it to the conference finals in the past two years. Jokic is unselfish and creates real estate for Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., but injuries to both of them in the playoffs last year put a stop to their potential.
The Golden State Warriors have been inconsistent all season, but they have the corporate knowledge to rely on. Their road record of 7-26 is concerning, and it’s unclear if they have the talent to make a run to the title. Stephen Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo have both been unselfish, but it remains to be seen if Jokic can produce in the clutch when the stakes are high.
Finally, the Los Angeles Clippers have been battling availability and identity issues all season. Some of the issues have been solved with the addition of Russell Westbrook, and Kawhi Leonard looks like he is back to his playoff form. But Tyronn Lue’s experiments with small lineups, and the uncertain status of Andrew Wiggins, still leave a lot of questions unanswered.
It’s anyone’s guess as to who will emerge from the Western Conference and make a run to the Finals. With so many teams battling injuries and inconsistencies, the race is wide open, and it’s going to take a lot of heart and determination to make it to the final stage.
