Lakers Look to Lock Up No. 3 Seed Against Jazz in Season Finale

LeBron James and the Lakers can secure home-court advantage in the first round with a win over the Jazz.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 1:48pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game in motion, with players and the court fragmented into sharp, overlapping shapes in shades of purple, orange, and silver.The Lakers' quest for playoff positioning comes to a head in their season finale against the Jazz.Los Angeles Today

The Los Angeles Lakers have a chance to lock up the Western Conference's No. 3 playoff seed in their regular season finale against the Utah Jazz on Sunday. A Lakers win, combined with a Denver Nuggets loss to the San Antonio Spurs, would give Los Angeles home-court advantage in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

Why it matters

The Lakers are looking to secure the best possible playoff positioning heading into the postseason, where they will be aiming to defend their 2025 NBA championship. Home-court advantage could prove crucial in a potential first-round matchup.

The details

The Lakers enter the game with a 52-29 record, good for first place in the Pacific Division. The Jazz, meanwhile, have struggled to a 22-59 mark and sit fifth in the Northwest Division. Los Angeles is a heavy 14.5-point favorite at home, where they have been dominant this season.

  • The game tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT on Sunday, April 12, 2026.
  • The Lakers' regular season finale comes after a loss to the Nuggets on Friday, April 10.

The players

LeBron James

The Lakers' superstar forward and four-time NBA champion, who is looking to lead Los Angeles to another title.

Donovan Mitchell

The Jazz's All-Star guard, who has been the team's leading scorer this season despite their struggles.

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What they’re saying

“We know what's at stake on Sunday. We want that third seed and home-court advantage in the first round. That's going to be huge for us.”

— LeBron James, Lakers Forward

“It's been a tough year, but we're going to give it our all against the Lakers. We want to end the season on a high note.”

— Donovan Mitchell, Jazz Guard

What’s next

If the Lakers win and the Nuggets lose, Los Angeles will clinch the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference playoffs. They would then await their first-round opponent, which will be determined by the final standings.

The takeaway

The Lakers are in prime position to secure home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs, which could give them a significant advantage as they look to defend their NBA title. A win over the struggling Jazz would be the final step in locking up the No. 3 seed.