Top storylines for each Western Conference play-in series

The NBA regular season has concluded. The top six seeds in each conference will now enjoy a week off as they begin preparing for what they hope will be a championship push. However, there are also eight teams, four in each conference, that are still fighting for playoff contention.

The NBA play-in tournament has been a massive success in recent years. And now, basketball fans look set to enjoy another round of high-stakes basketball before the postseason truly gets underway. 

With that said, let's look at some of the storylines hovering over each Western Conference play-in game. 

Sacramento Kings vs. Dallas Mavericks (Wednesday, April 16 at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN)

Kings

• The Kings eliminated the Golden State Warriors during the 2024 play-in tournament. They will now be looking to do the same to the Dallas Mavericks. 
• Sacramento has a lot to prove after firing Mike Brown this season. Brown had overseen one of the best periods in recent Kings history before being dismissed. 
• After trading away De'Aaron Fox at the Feb. 6 trade deadline, all eyes will be on Zach LaVine and his ability to lead the Kings as the primary scorer on the roster.
• DeMar DeRozan's debut season with Sacramento has underwhelmed. The veteran forward could redeem himself with a big performance.
• Sacramento is 3-0 against the Mavericks this season.

Mavericks 

• Dallas is without Kyrie Irving, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury earlier this year. Irving's injury was a hammer blow to the organization.
• This will be the Mavericks' first playoff (play-in) game since trading Luka Doncic. The fan morale is incredibly low; a loss could pile the pressure on Dallas' front office.
• Anthony Davis has been adjusting to life in Dallas under difficult circumstances. He's not Doncic, and the fanbase may grow frustrated with him if he doesn't showcase his All-NBA upside against an inconsistent Kings team.
• The Mavericks were NBA Finalists last season. The fact that they're in the play-in tournament a year later is indicative of a tough season on the court.
• Klay Thompson is entering his first playoff run while not wearing a Warriors jersey. His floor spacing will be integral to the Mavericks' chances of success. The Kings rank last in the NBA for defensive 3-point field goal percentage. 

Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies (Tuesday, April 15 at 10 p.m. ET on TNT/truTV/Max)

Warriors 

• Jimmy Butler has significant experience in play-in tournament games and is a proven winner in knock-out situations. He gives the Warriors a dimension they were lacking this time last season.
• The Warriors' late-game execution has been an issue all season, and it let them down again against the LA Clippers on Sunday, April 13. Steve Kerr will likely be hoping the Grizzlies don't force a tight game in the clutch. 
• Jonathan Kuminga's lack of playing time on Sunday is a big topic of conversation among Warriors fans. It will be interesting to see whether Kerr and his coaching staff trust the explosive forward in such a high-stakes game. Their decision will tell us a lot about Kuminga's upcoming restricted free agency.
• The Warriors are 23-7 with Butler in the rotation. 
• Golden State has won three of its four games against the Grizzlies during the 2024-25 campaign. 

Grizzlies

• Memphis made the shock decision to fire Taylor Jenkins with just weeks left before the playoffs. Can they still navigate the play-in tournament with all the upheaval behind the scenes?
• Ja Morant continues to get himself into trouble. First, it was hand gestures denoting a gun, and then a grenade. Can he stay on the court for his team's most important game of the season?
• Does Memphis have the experience and desire to match the Warriors? Butler, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green will all be coming to snatch a victory. 
• Golden State's lack of size has often been an issue this year. Can Zach Edey stamp his authority on the game early and control the boards? 
• Will the young Grizzlies approach the game with urgency, knowing they will have another shot to qualify due to finishing with the eighth seed?