Sunday marks the final slate of regular season NBA games in the 2023-24 campaign. The Western Conference is witnessing an intense battle for the top seed, with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, and Minnesota Timberwolves all tied with a record of 56-25 with one game left to play.
Each of these teams will finish in the top three spots, but the order is yet to be determined. The Thunder holds the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Nuggets, while the Timberwolves have the advantage over both OKC and Denver. In the event of a three-way tie, the Thunder would secure the top seed based on their cumulative record against the other two teams.
With all three teams playing their final game simultaneously on Sunday, the scenarios are complex. The Thunder's fate hinges on their game against the Mavericks, who will be without key players Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. If OKC wins, they could clinch the top seed unless the Nuggets lose, in which case the Timberwolves would claim the top spot.
The Nuggets might have a strategic interest in their final game outcome, as they could potentially influence their matchup in the playoffs. However, intentionally losing comes with risks, as it could impact the final standings unpredictably. All three teams are vying for favorable playoff matchups, but the simultaneous nature of Sunday's games makes it challenging to manipulate the standings.
As the regular season concludes, NBA fans can expect a thrilling Sunday afternoon of basketball as the top seed in the Western Conference is up for grabs. The outcomes of these games will not only determine seeding but also set the stage for an exciting postseason ahead.
