Clippers, Trail Blazers Battle for Final Playoff Spot in West

Friday's matchup will determine the 8th seed in the Western Conference Play-In Tournament

Apr. 10, 2026 at 11:21am by

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting breaking down a basketball game between two teams into sharp, overlapping geometric planes in vibrant colors.The high-stakes battle between the Clippers and Blazers for the final playoff spot in the West is captured in a cubist, geometric deconstruction of the action on the court.Portland Today

The Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers face off on Friday in a crucial regular-season finale, with the winner securing the 8th seed in the Western Conference Play-In Tournament. The Clippers have battled injuries all season but are close to full strength, while the Blazers are one of the league's best rebounding teams. This matchup will have major implications for both teams' postseason aspirations.

Why it matters

This game is a must-win for both the Clippers and Trail Blazers, as the winner will advance to the Play-In Tournament and have a chance to earn a spot in the NBA Playoffs. The loser will be relegated to the 9-10 matchup, facing a tougher path to the postseason.

The details

The Clippers (41-39) are coming off an 18-point loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, while the Trail Blazers (40-40) have lost their last two games. In their previous matchup on March 31st, Portland defeated LA 114-104 behind strong performances from Jrue Holiday (30 points) and Deni Avdija (28 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists). The Clippers lead the season series 2-1, but Friday's game will be the deciding factor in who gets the 8th seed.

  • The game tips off at 10:00 p.m. ET on Friday, April 10th.
  • The Clippers and Trail Blazers faced off on March 31st, with Portland winning 114-104.

The players

Ty Lue

Head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, who has guided the team to the playoffs in each of his three seasons at the helm despite dealing with numerous injuries.

Jrue Holiday

All-Star guard for the Portland Trail Blazers, who scored 30 points in the team's previous win over the Clippers.

Deni Avdija

Forward for the Portland Trail Blazers, who recorded a double-double with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists in the last matchup against the Clippers.

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What they’re saying

“The postseason didn't look attainable for LA several times this year. Despite a dreadful 6-21 start and dealing away multiple star players at the trade deadline, head coach Ty Lue has his team in a position to make the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.”

— Zion Trammel, Author

What’s next

The winner of Friday's game will advance to face the Phoenix Suns in the first Play-In Tournament game. The loser will finish with the 9th seed and face the Golden State Warriors in the 9-10 matchup, with the winner of that game getting a final shot at a postseason spot.

The takeaway

This game is a high-stakes battle between two teams fighting for their playoff lives. The Clippers have shown resilience all season, while the Blazers are a formidable rebounding team. Whichever squad can impose its will on the glass and execute down the stretch will likely punch their ticket to the Play-In Tournament.