All hope isn't lost for the Los Angeles Lakers, at least not yet. Luka Dončić most likely won't play in any of their five remaining regular-season games after leaving Thursday's blowout loss with a hamstring injury. However, they can still hold on to the No. 3 seed and avoid the Thunder in the second round (if they make it there, of course).
Los Angeles has just a one-game lead (and has the tie-breaker) over No. 4 Denver, but the Nuggets have the toughest remaining schedule in the league, while the Lakers have the 17th.
Denver still has to play Oklahoma City one more time and San Antonio twice. Granted, the Nuggets' final two games of the season will be against the Thunder and Spurs. At that point, both teams may have already locked in the top two seeds and could rest their top players. We don't know that for certain, though.
It's possible for Lakers to stay in No. 3 spot
Behind the Lakers and Nuggets, it's the No. 5 Rockets and No. 6 Timberwolves. There is a 2.5-game difference between Los Angeles and Houston, and a 3.5-game difference between LA and Minnesota.
With a little over a week left in the regular season, the No. 3-6 seeds can still fall in any direction. The Lakers can't fall any lower than No. 6, at least.
I can't say that Denver isn't a worry, even with its remaining schedule, because the Nuggets are the Nuggets. They're healthy again after dealing with injuries for most of the season.
Los Angeles' real concern could be Houston and Minnesota, as both teams have easier schedules than LA, sitting 20 (Timberwolves) and 21 (Rockets). Both are iffy and may not be able to climb up the standings, even now.
The Lakers should be able to hold their own against the Mavericks on Sunday, but they're headed toward yet another matchup with the Thunder on Tuesday. From there, they'll play the Warriors, Suns, and Jazz.
Steph Curry could be back in the lineup for Golden State by then, but you can assume he probably won't be his usual self after missing the past few months with a knee injury. Injuries have also decimated them.
The Suns have been an unexpected threat this season, but they're a bit unpredictable, recently losing to the Giannis-less Bucks and the struggling Magic. Facing Utah in the final game of the season is an opportunity for the Lakers to go into the playoffs with a win.
What I'm saying is that you can't write LA off yet. Not many people thought it'd be in the position it is now, sitting third in the West in April. Don't be too surprised if that's still the spot they're in by the time next Sunday's slate of games comes to a close.