Los Angeles Valiant Secures Semi-Final Spot in Overwatch League Playoffs
Robert Paul for Blizzard EntertainmentLos Angeles Valiant has guaranteed itself a spot in the semi-finals of the Overwatch League playoffs.
The Valiant swept aside the Houston Outlaws in the final match of Stage 4 week four to lock in the number one spot in the Pacific Division.
The top six teams in the overall regular season standings will advance to the $1.7 million season playoffs. Of those six teams, the top team from each division will be seeded directly into the semi-finals, while the remaining four teams will be drawn into quarter-final match-ups based on placement.
The number one spot in the Atlantic division, and indeed the regular season overall, has been locked in for some time by the New York Excelsior, who were mathematically secure at the top of the standings in just the second week of Stage 4.
The top spot in the Pacific division has been in contention for much longer, although as the stage has progressed the Valiant have looked increasingly likely to take it. With their win over the Outlaws, the closest Pacific division team below them, the LA Gladiators, can no longer catch up, securing a semi-final spot for the Valiant.
While the semi-final place would go to the top Pacific Division team whether they were first or seventh in the overall standings (which would technically be possible if all six Atlantic Division teams occupied the top-six places), the Valiant have also proven themselves worthy of it regardless of Division. Their match score and map difference mean they’ve also locked in a second-place regular season finish.
Heading into the final week of the regular season there are still some playoff spots on the line. Boston Uprising has locked in their place despite a weak stage, but the final three spots could still be in contention depending on the remaining matches.