In the play-in game, who would the Lakers have the best chance of winning?

Greetings and welcome to SB Nation Reacts, an NBA fan survey. We pose questions to the nation’s most engaged Lakers and national supporters all year round. To take part in the weekly email surveys, register here.

The NBA playoffs are down to two weeks left, and the West is more intense than ever. The Lakers’ exact standings are still up in the air, but according to the Western Conference standings right now, they will play one of the following teams in the play-in later this month: the Rockets, Warriors, Kings, or Suns.

Which club do you think the Lakers would like to play in this single-elimination game scenario, given the available options? This week’s NBA Reacts survey focused on that subject.

Because they are so young, the Rockets are the biggest unknown. They are still outside looking in as of the writing of this article, trailing the Warriors by a few games for the tenth and last play-in position. Nevertheless, after winning nine of their last 10 games, they are also the hottest team in the NBA.

The Warriors undoubtedly boast Steph Curry and a championship lineage, but how much of the supporters’ fear of playing for that club stems from nostalgia and legacy rather than the squad they are today? The Lakers will play them in Los Angeles if they maintain their present standing, and the last time they faced off in a play-in game was in 2021, with the Lakers emerging victorious.

A couple of weeks ago, the Sacramento Kings were on the rise in the West. However, with Malik Monk now out at least four weeks with an MCL sprain and Kevin Huerter already out for the year, they might be the ‘‘what if’’ team this season where injuries prevent them from reaching their potential. No one wants injuries or roots for them, but the Kings’ unfortunate situation could make them food the Lakers could eat up in a play-in game.

The Phoenix Suns are pretty stacked with Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant, but a combination of injuries, lack of chemistry, and bench depth has made them a disappointing team. Picking Kevin Durant as an opponent to play in a winner-take-all game is certainly a choice, but maybe fans don’t fear the 7-foot sniper as much, given the personnel surrounding him.

Let us know who you think the Lakers should play in the play-in by voting and sharing your thoughts down below!