The Los Angeles Lakers are squarely in the hunt for a third consecutive postseason appearance. Despite the widespread expectation that they'd struggle during JJ Redick's first season as head coach, the Lakers are 20-15 and well on their way to the playoffs.
More importantly, for the first time since its inception, Los Angeles is in line to avoid the Play-In Tournament.
For as intriguing as that all is, one can't help but keep a watchful eye on the Western Conference standings. Part of the reason is sheer optimism, but another is the simple fact that the Lakers are on their way to a postseason series they've become all too familiar with encountering.
If you think you know where this is going, then you're probably right—and Los Angeles is likely as aware of their current reality as anyone.
At the moment, the 20-15 Lakers are No. 5 in the Western Conference standings. They're half a game up on the Dallas Mavericks and LA Clippers, and just 0.5 games back of the Denver Nuggets for the No. 4 seed.
If you've pieced it all together, then you've likely come to the startling realization that the Lakers are on pace to face the Nuggets in the NBA Playoffs—again.
Lakers, Nuggets on pace to meet in playoffs for third consecutive season
Death, taxes, and the Lakers facing the Nuggets in the NBA Playoffs have become the constants in life in recent years. Denver and Los Angeles have squared off in each of the past two postseasons, as well as three of the purple and gold's past four trips to the playoffs.
The Lakers got the best of the Nuggets during the 2020 NBA Playoffs, but have since lost eight of nine postseason games to their rivals between 2023 and 2024.
After being swept in 2023 and losing 4-1 in 2024, many have come to the conclusion that Denver is the team Los Angeles simply can't overcome. In addition to the lopsided postseason encounters, the Nuggets have won five consecutive regular-season games over the Lakers, as well.
With this in mind, one can't help but dread yet another postseason series that the Lakers would be expected to lose.
With all of that being said, the Lakers should look forward to the opportunity to overcome a team they previously failed to conquer. Defeating the Nuggets would give Redick's crew more momentum than any other series win.
The confidence gained from finally defeating the team that has operated as an insurmountable opponent across multiple seasons would be immeasurable.
The question facing both teams is how they plan to improve before the 2025 NBA Playoffs roll around. Denver and Los Angeles are expected to be active ahead of the trade deadline, with both teams looking to make necessary improvements for a push for higher seeding.
If the standings hold, however, it'll be another clash between the Lakers and Nuggets on the postseason stage.