How Sunday's results impact the NBA Playoffs, Play-In standings

Kyle Irving

Nick Metallinos

How Sunday's results impact the NBA Playoffs, Play-In standings image

With only three weeks remaining in the 2021-22 NBA regular season, teams are starting to get down to the final 10-or-so games on their schedule.

That means nearly every contest that takes place will have some sort of impact on the standings, playoff picture and Play-In Tournament race.

On Sunday, March 20, there were nine games of NBA action and almost all of them had playoff or Play-In implications.

Take a look below at how each game affected the playoff picture.

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Pacers 129, Trail Blazers 98: This game had little impact on the playoff picture. The Pacers are already mathematically eliminated in the East and the Blazers have lost five games in a row, dropping to 3.0 games back from the final Play-In spot in the West.

Grizzlies 122, Rockets 98: While the Rockets are already mathematically eliminated, the Grizzlies are still clawing to stay in the No. 2 spot in the West. With today's blowout win over Houston, Memphis extends its lead to one full game ahead of the Warriors for second place.

Magic 90, Thunder 85: This game didn't have any implications on the playoff race, but it may play a part in lottery odds down the line. 

Pelicans 117, Hawks 112: This game was huge for the Pelicans as it allowed them to leapfrog the Lakers into ninth in the West. If they can maintain their half-game advantage until the end of the season, they would have home court in a Play-In matchup with Los Angeles. 

Suns 127, Kings 124 (OT): Phoenix has already clinched its playoff berth, but will be looking to cement home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. Every win still matters for them until they get Chris Paul back.

Jazz 108, Knicks 93: The Jazz's win and the Warriors' loss means the Jazz are only 2.0 games behind Golden State for the third seed. With Stephen Curry out for at least the next couple of weeks, the Jazz will be looking to jump over the Warriors for the third seed before the playoffs begin. 

Spurs 110, Warriors 108: While the Spurs are still mathematically in contention for a Play-In seed, it will be a difficult task to make up a 2.5-game difference from the Pelicans and Lakers with just 10 games remaining on their schedule. Wins like this one against the Warriors will go a long way in helping their case, though.

Celtics 124, Nuggets 104: The Celtics have scorched their way back into the top four and have a higher seeding firmly in their sights. A logjam at the top of the East means only a half-game separates seeds 2-through-4. The loss for the Nuggets means they drop out of the guaranteed playoff spot and into the Play-In picture in the West for now. 

Raptors 93, 76ers 88: The Raptors' win ensures they are just one game behind the Cavaliers, who are in the sixth and final guaranteed playoff spot in the East. Philadelphia is locked in a battle with Milwaukee and Boston for that No. 2 seed. 

Eastern Conference playoff picture

Seed Team W L PCT GB
1. Miami Heat 47 24 .662 -
2. Milwaukee Bucks 44 27 .620 3
3. Philadelphia 76ers 43 27 .614 3.5
4. Boston Celtics 44 28 .611 3.5
5. Chicago Bulls 41 29 .586 5.5
6. Cleveland Cavaliers 41 30 .577 6
7. Toronto Raptors 40 31 .563 7
8. Brooklyn Nets 37 34 .521 10
9. Charlotte Hornets 36 35 .507 11
10. Atlanta Hawks 35 36 .493 12
11. Washington Wizards 30 40 .429 16.5

Play-In seeds are 7-through-10.

Western Conference playoff picture

Seed Team W L PCT GB
1. Phoenix Suns 58 14 .806 -
2. Memphis Grizzlies 49 23 .681 9
3. Golden State Warriors 47 24 .662 10.5
4. Utah Jazz 45 26 .634 12.5
5. Dallas Mavericks 43 28 .606 14.5
6. Minnesota Timberwolves 42 30 .583 16
7. Denver Nuggets 42 30 .583 16
8. L.A. Clippers 36 37 .493 22.5
9. New Orleans Pelicans 30 41 .423 27.5
10. Los Angeles Lakers 30 41 .423 27.5
11. San Antonio Spurs 28 44 .389 30

Play-In seeds are 7-through-10.

Kyle Irving

Kyle Irving Photo

You read that wrong – not Kyrie Irving. From Boston, graduated from the University of New Hampshire. Sixth season as a content producer for NBA.com's Global editions. Covering the NBA Draft has become his annual "dream come true" moment on the job. Irving has a soft spot for pass-first point guards, with Rajon Rondo and Steve Nash being two of his favorite players of all time.

Nick Metallinos

Nick Metallinos Photo

Nick has been working exclusively within the NBA world for over a decade. He hosted 46 episodes of Ball or Nothin' - a show screened on ESPN highlighting the social media aspects of the NBA. Nick has covered 3 NBA Finals, 5 NBA All-Star weekends, 8 NBA drafts, 5 Jordan Brand Classics plus dozens of playoff games and hundreds of regular season games. 
Nick spends his spare time trying to decide which sneakers best match his outfit.