According to Crickex App reports, the rankings in both conferences have subtly shifted since the NBA regular season resumed, with the Western Conference play-in zone turning into a full-blown battleground. The Suns, Warriors, and Lakers have all seen frequent changes in their standings, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.

When Commissioner Adam Silver introduced the play-in format, the goal was clear: give fringe playoff teams renewed hope and prevent tanking late in the season. That mission has been largely accomplished, as more teams are now fighting tooth and nail until the very last game.

This year, however, the battle is shaping up to be especially fierce. There’s a real possibility that all three of the Lakers, Warriors, and Suns could be forced into the play-in tournament — with only one potentially surviving to move forward. That kind of outcome would’ve sounded far-fetched at the start of the season, but now it’s becoming more likely by the day.

The Lakers, for instance, stumbled right out of the All-Star break with back-to-back losses to the Warriors and Suns. Their momentum halted, and things won’t be getting easier anytime soon. They’re facing the Clippers next in the heated Los Angeles derby, followed by a gauntlet of playoff-hungry opponents — none of whom are expected to take their foot off the gas.

Crickex App analysts note that the Lakers’ inconsistent performance makes their chances of escaping the play-in zone and clinching a top-six spot slimmer by the day. In contrast, the Warriors are making a late surge. Despite still being 10th in the West, their form has clearly improved, and they’ve significantly closed the gap with the teams ahead of them.

What’s more, the Warriors have played three or four fewer games than their rivals due to a pause following the unexpected passing of an assistant coach. This gives them a valuable opportunity to catch up. Their remaining schedule includes three matchups against the struggling Spurs, as well as games against other lottery-bound teams like the Jazz, Grizzlies, Blazers, and Wizards — on paper, an easier stretch than the Lakers.

But there’s a catch: the Warriors must endure a grueling travel schedule with back-to-back road trips spanning five, four, and three games respectively. This wear and tear could be the wild card that derails their playoff push. So if Golden State fails to crack the top six by season’s end, no one should be too surprised.

Meanwhile, the Suns are in a slightly better position. After defeating the Lakers yesterday, they’ve moved into the sixth seed. However, their record is identical to that of the Pelicans in seventh and only half a game better than the eighth-place Mavericks. One or two missteps could quickly drop them back into the play-in bracket.

What’s worse, none of their upcoming opponents have thrown in the towel. Every team on the Suns’ schedule is locked and loaded for a playoff run. Crickex App sports writers argue that among the Lakers, Warriors, and Suns, it’s Phoenix that faces the toughest road ahead.

To make matters more complicated, beyond just standings and matchups, all three teams are dealing with off-court factors that could throw a wrench in their plans. These hidden variables might prove decisive as the season reaches its climax — because in the NBA, the only certainty is uncertainty.