The crisp sound of sneakers squeaking on hardwood fills my living room as I settle into my favorite worn-out armchair. It’s a Tuesday night, halfway through what feels like an endless NBA season, and my team—the Lakers—just clawed their way back from a 15-point deficit. Leaning forward, I grab my phone and pull up the league schedule, wondering just how many games are left in the NBA season and what to expect as we barrel toward the playoffs. It’s a question that hangs in the air every year around this time, when hope and fatigue collide, and every possession starts to feel like it carries the weight of the entire year.
I remember back in 2015, sitting in this same chair, watching Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao dance around each other in what was billed as the "Fight of the Century." It was electric, but also a little… underwhelming? Maybe it’s the nostalgia talking, but I couldn’t help thinking about that fight again when I stumbled upon a social media post from former Los Angeles Times reporter Lance Pugmire. He hinted at the possibility of a second Pacquiao-Mayweather slugfest, especially if the Filipino boxing great—now 46, can you believe it?—succeeds in his bid to become a world champion again. And honestly, that got me thinking about comebacks, longevity, and the sheer unpredictability of sports narratives. It’s the same feeling I get watching LeBron James, at 39, still dominating the court like he’s fresh out of high school. How many games does he have left? How many moments like these?
Let’s break it down, because I love numbers even when they make my head spin. As of tonight, with roughly a quarter of the regular season remaining, most teams have about 18 to 22 games left on their schedule. That’s not a lot, folks. Think about it: in just over a month, the play-in tournament will kick off, and then the real chaos begins. My gut tells me we’re looking at around 240 total games left across the league, including the postseason, but don’t quote me on that—my math has been shaky since college. Still, it’s enough to make your palms sweat if you’re invested in a team fighting for seeding. The Western Conference, in particular, is a bloodbath this year. Five teams are separated by just three games, and every night feels like a mini-playoff. I’ve lost sleep over it, I’ll admit.
But it’s not just about the numbers; it’s about the stories unfolding on that parquet floor. Take the Denver Nuggets, for example. They’re grinding through a tough road trip, and Nikola Jokic looks like he’s carrying the weight of Serbia on his shoulders. Or the Boston Celtics, who’ve been so dominant all season but have this habit of slipping when it matters most. It reminds me of that Lance Pugmire post—the idea of Pacquiao, at 46, chasing one more title. It’s the same hunger, the same refusal to fade away. In the NBA, veterans like Chris Paul and Kevin Durant are doing the same thing, squeezing every last drop from their careers. And I’m here for it. There’s something beautiful about athletes defying age, even if it’s just for one more run.
Now, I’m not saying the NBA season is as brutal as a boxing match, but the parallels are there. Every game is a round, every possession a jab or hook. And as we count down those final contests—maybe 20 or so per team—the stakes only get higher. I expect surprises, maybe a Cinderella story from a small-market squad like the Oklahoma City Thunder, who’ve been quietly assembling a powerhouse. Or a shocking collapse from a top seed. Personally, I’m rooting for chaos. I want buzzer-beaters, overtime thrillers, and maybe even a Cinderella story like Pacquiao’s potential comeback. Because in sports, as in life, the best moments often come when you least expect them.
So as I shut off the TV tonight, my mind drifts back to that question: how many games are left in the NBA season and what to expect? The answer, I think, lies in the unknown. We can crunch the numbers, analyze the matchups, but at the end of the day, it’s the human element that captivates us. The tired legs pushing through one more fast break, the rookies stepping up under pressure, the old legends refusing to bow out. It’s why I’ll be glued to the screen until the final buzzer sounds—because in these last few weeks, anything can happen. And honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
