The final day of the 2023-24 NBA regular season is approaching, with the Western Conference facing some intense scenarios that will impact the postseason seeding. The Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, and Minnesota Timberwolves are all tied at the top of the conference with identical 56-25 records. The final order of these teams will be determined by the outcomes of their last games on Sunday.
In the Western Conference showdown, the Thunder, Timberwolves, and Nuggets are all playing their final games at the same time on Sunday afternoon, creating a thrilling and unpredictable finish to the regular season. The Thunder currently hold the tiebreaker over the Nuggets, while the Timberwolves have the advantage over both OKC and Denver. However, in a three-way tie, the Thunder would come out on top based on their cumulative record against the other two teams.
Each of the three teams has a chance to secure the top spot in the Western Conference, but none of them have full control over their destiny. There are multiple scenarios that could play out on Sunday, with different outcomes based on each team’s performance in their final game. There is a possibility for some strategic manipulation by teams looking to secure a favorable seeding in the top three.
For the Thunder to secure the No. 1 seed in the West, they need to win against the Mavericks and rely on either the Nuggets winning or the Timberwolves losing. The Timberwolves can top the conference standings by winning against the Suns and hoping for the Nuggets or Thunder to lose, while the Nuggets need a win against the Grizzlies and losses by both their rivals to claim the top spot.
There are six potential outcomes in the three games on Sunday that could alter the standings, with four of them resulting in the Thunder finishing at the top of the Western Conference. The most intriguing aspect of Sunday’s games will be deciphering each team’s intentions, as there is a possibility for strategic maneuvering to achieve a preferable seeding. The Thunder, in particular, would benefit from avoiding a tough second-round matchup against the Nuggets, but the simultaneous games make it challenging to manipulate the standings.
Overall, Sunday afternoon’s NBA games will be crucial in determining the final seeding for the postseason in the Western Conference. With multiple tiebreakers at play and various outcomes depending on each team’s performance, the last day of the regular season promises to be a thrilling and intense conclusion to an eventful campaign. Fans will be on the edge of their seats as the top teams battle it out for the coveted top seed in the West.
