Western Conference Midseason Check-In: Suns Rising, Kings Sinking, and LA’s Mixed Bag
We’re past the halfway point of the NBA season, and the Western Conference is starting to show its true colors. Some teams are finally finding their groove, others are still searching for answers, and a few might already be looking ahead to the lottery. Let’s take a closer look at five teams in very different places - from the surging Suns to the spiraling Kings - and unpack what’s working, what’s not, and where things could go from here.
Golden State Warriors: A Team at a Crossroads
Steph Curry continues to rewrite the rules of longevity for undersized guards. At 37, he’s still a one-man offense, slicing defenses apart with his movement, precision shooting, and basketball IQ. He remains the Warriors’ heartbeat - and their best hope of staying afloat in an increasingly competitive West.
But around him, the picture is far less rosy.
Jimmy Butler still has flashes of the old fire, but at 36, it’s fair to wonder how much gas is left in the tank. Al Horford, another seasoned vet, is finally starting to show his age.
The young pieces? Still a mixed bag.
Brandin Podziemski has shown flashes, but the inconsistency is hard to ignore. And then there’s Jonathan Kuminga - a player who once looked like a key piece of the future, now seemingly on his way out.
If he’s moved, it’s likely to be for another veteran looking to squeeze out one last playoff run.
Golden State feels like a team stuck between timelines: still leaning on their aging core, but without enough young firepower to clearly chart the next era. For now, they’re riding Curry’s brilliance - but how long can that last?
Los Angeles Clippers (18-23): C-
A month into the season, the Clippers looked like a team in complete freefall. Sitting at 6-21 after a loss to the Thunder, they were flirting with disaster. But credit where it’s due - they’ve clawed their way back into relevance.
The turnaround starts with Kawhi Leonard, who’s been nothing short of elite. He’s putting up 28.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.2 steals per game, all while shooting just under 40% from deep. More importantly, he’s been available - and when Kawhi is healthy and locked in, the Clippers are a different team.
James Harden, meanwhile, continues to defy Father Time. He’s found a rhythm, and it’s helping to stabilize the offense.
Brook Lopez and John Collins are starting to look comfortable in their new surroundings, giving the Clippers some much-needed frontcourt presence. Ivica Zubac hasn’t had his best season, but the recent surge has masked some of those struggles.
This team still has flaws, but they’ve pulled themselves out of the basement. If Kawhi keeps playing at this level, the Clippers could still make some noise.
Los Angeles Lakers (24-15): B-
The Lakers are winning games, but it doesn’t always feel like it. There’s a clear disconnect between the roster and what head coach JJ Redick seems to want from it. The pieces don’t quite fit - and yet, here they are, sitting well above .500.
The reason? Star power.
Luka Dončić, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves have been dragging this team to wins in the clutch. When games get tight, their ability to create offense and make big plays has been the difference.
But the issue is getting to those clutch moments. The supporting cast has been shaky, the defense is inconsistent, and the shooting comes and goes.
This team has a high ceiling because of its top-end talent, but the margin for error is razor-thin. If the Lakers want to make a real run, they’ll need to find more balance - and fast.
Phoenix Suns (24-17): A+
What a turnaround in the desert.
Just a season ago, the Suns looked like a franchise in chaos. Fast forward to now, and they’re not only winning - they’re playing with joy, identity, and purpose. And they’re doing it after moving on from two marquee names in Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant.
Devin Booker has reclaimed his role as the face of the franchise, and he’s thriving. Dillon Brooks brings edge and toughness, while role players like Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin have stepped up in a big way. They’re not just filling minutes - they’re making plays, defending, and doing the little things that win games.
Rookie head coach Jordan Ott deserves serious credit. He’s taken a roster that many thought was in flux and turned it into a cohesive, competitive unit. His players are clearly buying in - and that’s half the battle in today’s NBA.
This Suns team is clicking, and they’re doing it with a mix of grit, chemistry, and smart basketball. Don’t be surprised if they keep climbing.
Sacramento Kings (12-30): F
It’s been a brutal season in Sacramento.
This roster, built with experience and expectations, has fallen flat on both ends of the floor. Offensively, they can’t shoot the three with any consistency, and they struggle to generate pressure at the rim. Defensively, it’s the same story - no rim protection, no ball pressure, and very little resistance.
The result? A team that doesn’t seem to have a clear identity or direction.
It’s not just the losses - it’s how they’re losing. The Kings look stuck, and there’s no obvious fix.
At this point, the conversation may need to shift from how to salvage the season to how to reset the franchise. Because right now, the only thing Sacramento is leading the league in is frustration.
Final Thoughts
The West is full of storylines - from the Suns’ resurgence to the Warriors’ aging core trying to hang on. The Clippers are climbing, the Lakers are surviving, and the Kings… well, they’re searching for a lifeline.
There’s still time for things to shift, but as we head toward the All-Star break, the separation between contenders and pretenders is getting clearer by the week.