SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs currently have a record of 34-48, and thanks to the NBA's relatively new play-in tournament, they could wind up making the playoffs.
On the flip side, the worse they finish in the league standings, the better their odds will be at scoring a top pick in the upcoming 2022 draft. Gregg Popovich and the players have said they're fighting for the play-in, but what does that mean for the draft?
If you're keeping an eye on these developments, this page is for you. It will be updated daily with the latest information and scenarios.
Play-in clinched
On April 3, San Antonio clinched the play-in over Los Angeles. A week later they got locked into the 10-seed, so they will visit New Orleans for the 9-10 game.
The winner of that game will face the loser of the 7-8 game between the Clippers and Timberwolves, and the winner of that game will go to the playoffs.
Western Conference Standings
- 9: New Orleans Pelicans (36-45)
- Spurs 2.0 games back
- Spurs own tiebreaker
- 10: San Antonio Spurs (34-48)
- Spurs cannot pass the Pelicans in the standings
RELATED: Big Fun Pod: Should the Spurs fight for the play-in or tank for better odds in the draft lottery?
Lottery odds
The worse you finish in the standings, the better your odds will be in the upcoming draft lottery for an impressive class of incoming rookies. By losing the final two games of the regular season, San Antonio clinched the ninth-best lottery odds provided they don't become the 8 seed.
Draft lottery odds (no ties)
- 9: 4.5% chance at number one pick, 20.2% chance at top four pick.
- 10: 3.0% chance at number one pick, 13.9% chance at top four pick.
Current lottery position
- 8: Los Angeles Lakers (32-49)
- Conveys to Pelicans
- 9: San Antonio (34-48)
- 10: Washington (35-47)
- T11: New York (36-45)
- T11: New Orleans (36-45)
Best possible situation for draft pick
San Antonio will keep their lottery pick as long as they don't win both play-in games. In that case, the odds would be determined by regular-season record. The best they can do is ninth-best lottery odds.
Worst possible situation for draft pick
If the Spurs make the play-in tournament and win both games to become the 8 seed, they will forfeit their lottery pick and swap with whoever they eliminate from the final play-in game.
Relevant games
Today, April 10
- San Antonio 120, Dallas 130
- Washington 108, Charlotte 124
Yesterday, April 9
- San Antonio 94, Golden State 100
- New Orleans 114, Memphis 141
April 8
- New York 114, Washington 92