The Golden State Warriors are currently the tenth seed in the Western Conference with a 44-35 record, right behind the Los Angeles Lakers at 45-35.
With just days before the regular season ends, it seems very likely that these two teams will face off in the Play-In Tournament.
If that happens, the Warriors will win, according to Shaquille O’Neal.
“Golden State Warriors … they’re going to beat the Lakers if they play against the Lakers in the play-in,” O’Neal said in the latest episode of “The Big Podcast,” via NBC Sports Bay Area.
O’Neal then said that the Warriors could defeat either the Minnesota Timberwolves or Oklahoma City Thunder in the opening round of the playoffs.
However, he said it won’t be Steph Curry who leads the team to victory.
“(It’s) Klay Thompson. And then for a guy like that, all I need is two games,” O’Neal explained.
A motivated Klay Thompson is the reason why the Warriors are Shaq's dark horse playoff pick ?https://t.co/pyeXD1SvF1
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) April 11, 2024
“Klay Thompson is the factor everybody’s not really counting on…We know what Steph’s going to do, but if I can get Klay for two or three games,” O’Neal said.
The other night gave NBA fans a taste of what the Play-In could look like.
The Warriors and Lakers faced off on Tuesday and Golden State easily earned a much-needed win.
During that game, Thompson lit up with 27 points, shooting 50% from the three-point line.
If both teams perform like that again in the Play-In, the Warriors will be moving into the playoffs while the Lakers will be going home for the summer.
The Warriors have struggled all season long but diehard fans have repeatedly said they shouldn’t be counted out.
They have won 7 of their last 9 games and are looking like they are ready for the playoffs, so will they prove O’Neal right?
NEXT: Insider Predicts Victor Wembanyama Will Be Joined By Another NBA Star
