Western Conference Playoff Preview 2022

Story posted April 16, 2022 in CommRadio, Sports by Patrick Lepre

As the NBA playoffs finally arrive, here is a preview of the Western Conference heading into the postseason.

1. Phoenix Suns

The Suns look like the title is theirs to lose in the West this season.

After finishing 64-18, Devin Booker and Chris Paul are ready to lead the Suns back to the NBA Finals along with the leap Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson took this season. They are also without a doubt one of if not the deepest teams in the league.

The Suns look fully equipped for a championship run again this season.

2. Memphis Grizzlies

Despite Phoenix looking like the clear favorite in the West, the Grizzlies can very well end up winning it. They played exceptionally well without Ja Morant this season which has built trust in those other players outside of Moant.

Now adding their superstar back to the lineup, the Grizzlies should be even scarier.

3. Golden State Warriors

With Steph Curry coming back from injury, the Warriors are as healthy as they’ve been all season heading into the playoffs. The Big 3 of Curry, Klay Thompso  and Draymond Green have never lost a playoff series in which all three started.

It’s no doubt the Warriors will be a tough out but don’t be surprised if the Dubs have another title run up their sleeve.

4. Dallas Mavericks

Now that Luka Doncic is injured, the Mavericks’ playoff outlook has completely flipped.

It’s looking likely he’ll be out at least two games but, can the Mavericks hold off against the Jazz long enough to give Doncic a shot at his first playoff series win?

It’s gonna take a total collective effort from the rest of the squad.

5. Utah Jazz

It’s looking like if the Jazz don’t at least make the conference finals, they very well could tear the team apart.

The Jazz have yet to make the conference finals with Donovan Mitchell who is also growing more and more frustrated due to the team's postseason failures.

The Jazz are a good team, but they seriously need a scorer to step up this postseason to help Mitchell.

6. Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets are walking into the playoffs again without Jamaal Murray and now Michael Porter Jr. as well.

Nikola Jokic is going to need to carry even more than he has before if the Nuggets want to have any sort of playoff run. He definitely could do it but, doing it four out of the seven games he needs to, it seems highly unlikely.

7. Minnesota Timberwolves

After a dramatic play-in game win, the Timberwolves find themselves in the playoffs.

With the core three of Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards and D’Angelo Russel, they could definitely cause an upset in the postseason. They also had the best offense in the league this season which also helps their case in causing an upset.

This could be the start of something special in Minnesota.

8. New Orleans Pelicans

Whoever earned the eight seed through the play-in, they would’ve most likely share the same fate as first round exits. The Pelicans are walking into a buzzsaw in Phoenix and will face a daunting task taking down the best team in the NBA.

The Pelicans turned a corner at the trade deadline when they acquired CJ McCollum, and Brandon Ingram has stepped up his game as well.

Also something to note, their new head coach, Willie Green was Phoenix’s former assistant coach last season. So he might have some knowledge about how to beat them firsthand.

In the end though, it’s more likely they fall short.

Patrick Lepre is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email pjl5466@psu.edu.