By a show of hands, who had the Memphis Grizzlies as the second seed in the Western Conference?
Let’s be honest now. But really, who could’ve predicted that the Grizzlies, who were a Play-In team last season, would have more than 50 wins and be the second seed in the West.
Memphis has more than surpassed expectations, quickly emerging as a perennial championship contender thanks to the MVP-like play of Ja Morant, coach of the year candidate Taylor Jenkins and a stellar all-around roster.
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And heading into their last head-to-head matchup with the No. 3 Warriors on Monday, the Grizzlies have a sizable lead in the standings that may be too much for Golden State to make up any ground on.
Where the race for the No. 2 stands
The Grizzlies have opened up a four-game lead on the No. 3. Warriors with one head-to-head matchup remaining on Monday. Because of their four-game lead in the standings, a loss to Golden State won’t instantly affect Memphis’ hold on the No. 2 seed.
To give up their hold on the No. 2 seed, the Grizzlies would have to lose the majority of their seven remaining games. Memphis does have a somewhat difficult end-of-season schedule though. They have games against playoff-bound teams like the Suns, Jazz, Nuggets and Celtics. They also have games against potential Play-In Tournament teams like the New Orleans Pelicans and San Antonio Spurs. Memphis however, is mainly at home to end the season, a big factor in their quest to clinch the No. 2 seed.
The Warriors meanwhile, would have to put together an impressive end-of-season win streak if they want to get the No. 2 seed. They would essentially have to win all of their seven remaining games, including Monday's matchup against the Grizzlies. Golden State does have one game left against the lowly Sacramento Kings but they also play the Suns, Jazz, Lakers, Spurs and Pelicans. A tough schedule that makes the Warriors' chances of winning the No. 2 seed seem rather unlikely.
Who Will The No. 2 seed play in the first round?
The winner of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 Play-In Tournament game will play the No. 2 seed in the first round of the 2022 Western Conference NBA Playoffs.
Currently, the (2) Grizzlies would play the winner of the (7) Timberwolves vs. (8) Clippers Play-In Tournament game.
Why the No. 2 seed is important
Having home court for the majority of the playoffs would be huge for a young, up-and-coming team like the Grizzlies.
Plus by being the No. 2 seed, Memphis won’t have to face off against the No. 1 Phoenix Suns until a possible matchup in the Western Conference Finals.
Grizzlies schedule 2021-2022
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
| March 28 | Warriors | 8 p.m. |
| March 31 | at Spurs | 8:30 p.m. |
| April 1 | Suns | 6:00 p.m. |
| April 5 | at Jazz | 9:00 p.m. |
| April 7 | Nuggets | 9:00 p.m. |
| April 79 | Pelicans | TBD |
| April 10 | Celtics | TBD |
Warriors schedule 2021-2022
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
| March 28 | at Grizzlies | 8:00 p.m. |
| March 30 | Suns | 10 p.m. |
| April 2 | Jazz | 8:30 p.m. |
| April 3 | Kings | 9:00 p.m. |
| April 7 | Lakers | 10:00 p.m. |
| April 9 | at Spurs | TBD |
| April 10 | at Pelicans | TBD |
NBA standings 2022: Western Conference
(Current through March 27 games)
| Seed | Team | Record | Games back |
| 1. | Suns* | 61-14 | — |
| 2. | Grizzlies* | 52-23 | 9 |
| 3. | Warriors | 48-27 | 13 |
| 4. | Mavericks | 46-29 | 15 |
| 5. | Jazz | 45-30 | 16 |
| 6. | Nuggets | 44-31 | 17 |
| 7. | Timberwolves | 43-33 | 18.5 |
| 8. | Clippers | 36-39 | 25 |
| 9. | Pelicans | 32-43 | 29 |
| 10. | Lakers | 31-43 | 29.5 |
| — | Spurs | 30-44 | 30.5 |
| — | Trail Blazers | 27-47 | 33.5 |
| — | Kings | 27-48 | 34 |
| — | |||
| — |
*clinched NBA Playoff berth
**clinched NBA Play-In berth
Eliminated from NBA Playoff contention: Rockets, Thunder
Western Conference Playoff matchups 2022
(1) Suns vs. (8) Play-In Winner
(2) Grizzlies vs. (7) Play-In Winner
(3) Warriors vs. (6) Nuggets
(4) Mavericks vs. (5) Jazz
NBA Western Conference Play-In Tournament matchups 2022
(7) Timberwolves vs. (8) Clippers
(9) Pelicans vs. (10) Lakers
How does the NBA Play-In Tournament work?
- The NBA Play-In Tournament will be held after the conclusion of the 2021-22 regular season and before the start of the first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs. The teams that finish Nos. 1-6 in the standings of each conference will be guaranteed playoff spots. Teams Nos. 7-10 will enter the Play-In Tournament.
- Each conference's Nos. 7 and 8 teams will face off, with the winner earning the No. 7 seed in the playoffs. The loser will still have one more opportunity to reach the playoffs.
- Each conference's Nos. 9 and 10 teams will face off, with the winner advancing to play the loser of the No. 7-vs.-No. 8 game. The loser of the No. 9-vs.-No. 10 game will be eliminated from playoff contention.
- The loser of the No. 7-vs.-No. 8 game and the winner of the No. 9-vs.-No. 10 game will then play against each other. The winner of that game will be the No. 8 seed in the playoffs. The loser will be eliminated from playoff contention.
- Beyond the Play-In Tournament, the 2022 NBA Playoffs will follow the typical format, with full best-of-seven series all the way through the NBA Finals.
