The 2023-24 NBA Season is two months away and with the NBA unveiling an in-season tournament for the first time, this will create some intriguing must-see games, along with some storylines to follow throughout the season. The In-Season Tournament has three groups of five teams for both Eastern and Western Conferences, playing against each other, with the first place teams from each group advancing to the knockout round, while the second place teams will vie for a spot based on total points scored and point differential throughout the group stage, along with regular season record, head to head record, and random drawing. The semifinals and grand finals of the In-Season Tournament will take place in Las Vegas from December 7-9. Here’s a look at each Western Conference group in the In-Season Tournament.
Western Conference Group A: Memphis, Phoenix, L.A. Lakers, Utah, and Portland
Western Conference Group A will be headlined by the Suns and the Lakers, who had a busy offseason that saw Bradley Beal joining the Suns and Gabe Vincent taking his talents to Hollywood. Memphis, on the other hand, will be without Ja Morant, who will still be serving a 25-game suspension during the In-Season tournament. Despite this, the Grizzlies acquired Marcus Smart from the Boston Celtics, who can provide some added defense alongside Jaren Jackson Jr. Utah and Portland seem like they would be the dark horses in this group, but the Jazz seem like the team to pull off an upset or two. Portland may or may not have Damian Lillard by the time the In-Season Tournament begins, seeing as they are now entering the Scoot Henderson era.
Group A should be Phoenix’s for the taking. They have the offensive firepower from Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Beal to get the job done. However, the Lakers have the experience factor that can help them. The only thing the Lakers will need is a healthy Anthony Davis and their young core of Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Max Christie, D’Angelo Russell, Jaxson Hayes, and Jalen Hood-Schifino continue taking that next step. Memphis and Utah will be the wildcards that will bring some competition, and Portland are more likely the underdog.
Western Conference Group A Standings Prediction:
Phoenix 4-0
L.A. Lakers 3-1
Memphis 2-2
Utah 2-2
Portland 1-3
Western Conference Group B: Denver, L.A. Clippers, New Orleans, Dallas, and Houston
The NBA Champion Denver Nuggets headline Western Conference Group B, but they’re not without competition. The L.A. Clippers will bring back Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and Russell Westbrook, but the main question will be whether or not the Clippers will be able to remain healthy throughout the season. Last season, the Clippers dealt with key injuries, despite making it to the postseason.
Another team that will bring some competition in this group, Dallas brings a one-two punch with their backcourt duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, but their frontcourt is a bit questionable, especially with the acquisition of Grant Williams from the Boston Celtics. New Orleans have some potential, but it will all depend on Zion Williamson overcoming some growing pains. Last season, the Pelicans made the postseason via the Play-In tournament, but was unable to go any further. This season will be a litmus test for New Orleans, more specifically, for Williamson.
As for the Houston Rockets, they should continue to improve their young core of Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson, Kevin Porter Jr., and Alperen Sengun, but I don’t expect them to make some noise in the In-Season tournament. Give them time and that will happen eventually.
Group B is Denver’s for the taking, but not if a healthy Clippers team and a Dallas team led by Luka and Kyrie has anything to say about it. New Orleans is a wildcard in this group, but again, it all depends on Zion’s growth and being accountable. Houston are the underdog in this group.
Western Conference Group B Standings Prediction:
Denver 3-1
Dallas 2-2
L.A. Clippers 2-2
New Orleans 1-3
Houston 1-3
Western Conference Group C: Sacramento, Golden State, Minnesota, Oklahoma City, and San Antonio
If there ever was a group that would be considered “The Group of Death” out of the three Western Conference groups in the In-Season tournament, it would have to be this group. The Golden State Warriors are more loaded than ever, now adding Chris Paul to their roster, but let’s not discount the other teams in this group. No one expected Sacramento to go as far as they did last season, breaking a 17 year playoff drought and lighting the beam. I still believe that Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox will go above and beyond for the Kings, and I also see big things for Kevin Huerter, Keegan Murray, Malik Monk, Trey Lyles, Kessler Edwards, and Nerlens Noel.
Minnesota is another team that should be competitive and give other teams a hard time. They have the height with Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert, explosive scoring from Anthony Edwards, and a playmaker in Mike Conley. Minnesota may seem like a wildcard given their talent core, but they look to build upon what they did last season. Oklahoma City and San Antonio are two young teams with very tall rookies looking to make an impact for the upcoming season in Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama respectively. While all eyes will be on Wembanyama, Holmgren should come right out of the gate as a difference maker for an Oklahoma City team looking to go further this upcoming season.
Group C is going to be loaded with some very interesting matches, the majority of them coming from Golden State. The matchup between Oklahoma City and San Antonio will be intriguing as Holmgren and Wembanyama do battle in the paint. Sacramento and Minnesota will also add some tough competition in this group also.
Western Conference Group C Standings Prediction:
Golden State 4-0
Sacramento 2-2
Minnesota 2-2
Oklahoma City 1-3
San Antonio 1-3
Those are my predictions for the Western Conference side of the In-Season tournament. Could we see some surprise upsets? Will these predictions hold up? The NBA In-Season Tournament starts November 3 and plays through December 9, with In-Season tournament games playing every Tuesday and Friday between November 3 through November 28.
The Heat Check Magazine 