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Entering the final week of the NBA regular season, the playoff picture is largely set.
In the Western Conference, five teams have already clinched postseason berths, with the Timberwolves on the verge of securing the final automatic spot. The Suns, Trail Blazers, Clippers and Warriors are positioned for the play-in tournament.
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In the Eastern Conference, the top 10 teams are guaranteed, at least, a play-in spot. The Hawks, 76ers, Raptors, Hornets, Magic and Heat remain mathematically alive for a top-six seed and an automatic playoff berth — a race that will be worth monitoring over the final week.
Though seeding matters, more important is how these teams project once the postseason begins.
Stars ultimately determine a team’s ceiling, but playoff outcomes are often decided on the margins. Whether it’s knocking down shots, creating secondary offense or making an impact on the defensive end of the floor, the contributions of role players can change the trajectory of a team’s season. Iconic moments like Ray Allen’s 3-pointer in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals are sometimes the difference between a championship or a premature playoff exit.
Using NBA StatsHub, we can identify the role players whose impact may be undervalued heading into the postseason.
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Gary Payton II, Golden State Warriors
Stephen Curry will reportedly return to action Sunday against the Rockets, which is the most important news for Golden State as they prepare for the play-in tournament. However, even if Curry returns – it’s unlikely that he will immediately perform like an MVP candidate, considering the severity of his knee injury and the fact that he hasn’t played since Jan. 30.
Contributions from elsewhere on the roster will be necessary if Golden State hopes to pull off an upset in the play-in tournament. Gary Payton II could be one key ingredient.
During the past month, Payton is averaging 13.7 points and 5.8 rebounds in 23.1 minutes for the Warriors. He’s been extremely efficient, shooting 66.7% from the floor. He has a +10.9% Field Goal Percentage Over Expectation during that span, indicating that he’s been…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/role-players-watch-heading-nba-182933743.html
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Publish date : 2026-04-03 18:29:00
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