
- The Houston Rockets have clinched the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference playoffs after their loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.
- The Rockets will face either the Los Angeles Lakers or the Denver Nuggets in the first round, depending on the results of the final regular-season games on Sunday.
- The Rockets went 1-2 against the Lakers and 1-3 against the Nuggets during the regular season, but the potential absence of Luka Doncic for the Lakers could change the dynamics of a potential playoff matchup.