It was not a part of the script; the Denver Nuggets defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night and had the easiest path to the number one seed in the West. The scenario was clear, if they beat the San Antonio Spurs and Memphis Grizzlies teams that are combined 47-113 entering Friday, they would have home-field advantage in the playoffs. Instead, the Nuggets got torched by the likely NBA Rookie of the Year, Victor Wembanyama. The French big man scored 34 points, going 12 of 27 from the field, and added 12 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks. Wembanyama scored at one point seventeen points in three minutes, but the game was decided on an incredible floater by Devonte Graham through tough defense. The result means the number one seed will be determined in the regular season finale, and it is one of the many storylines entering the regular season finale. In this article, we will discuss the playoff scenarios on Sunday.
1. Number one seed in the Western Conference
The shocking loss by the Nuggets created a three-way tie with the Nuggets, Timberwolves, and Oklahoma City Thunder which have a 56-25 record. However, the Nuggets lost the head-to-head series against both teams dropping Denver to third in the standings, the Timberwolves in second place, and the Thunder leading the conference. If all three teams win or lose on Sunday, then the order would remain as is. However, if the Timberwolves and Thunder win while the Nuggets lose, Minnesota and Oklahoma City would finish 1st and 2nd with a win. If the Timberwolves lose while the Nuggets and Thunder win, Oklahoma City and Denver would finish 1st and 2nd with a win. If the Thunder lose, Minnesota and Denver would finish 1st and 2nd with a win. Denver needs more help but faces the easier matchup because the Thunder are facing the Dallas Mavericks, and Minnesota hosting the Phoenix Suns.
2. East number 2 seed
The New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks are tied for second seed in the East at 49-32, and the Cleveland Cavaliers are lurking with a game behind them. The struggling and injury-riddled team faces a tough task to secure the 2nd spot because they will travel to Orlando and face a tough Magic squad. The scenario is, if the Bucks win, they get the No. 2 seed. However, if they lose, the Knicks are primed to take advantage if they beat the Chicago Bulls at home. If the Knicks and Bucks both lose, then the Cavaliers can capitalize on the slip-ups and grab the spot by beating the Charlotte Hornets at home.
3. West No. 6 seed
The New Orleans Pelicans are 49-32 and hold the final automatic spot in the Western Conference. The Pelicans are a hot team by winning the last four games including defeating the Suns, the Kings, and the Warriors on the road. On Sunday, they return home to face a Los Angeles Lakers team desperate to cement their place in the playoffs. If they slip up, then Phoenix Suns are striking distance to pounce with a 48-33 record and hold the tiebreaker. If the Pelicans lose, and the Suns defeat the Timberwolves, then the Pelicans will have to navigate the tricky play-in tournament.
4. East No. 5 and 6 seed
The Magic will be motivated to beat the Bucks because they also want to avoid the play-in tournament. The Magic are tied with the Indiana Pacers and the Philadelphia 76ers for fifth in the standings at 46-35. Also, the Miami Heat are lurking in eighth place at 45-36. The Pacers will play the Atlanta Hawks at home, who will likely rest their stars. The Sixers will play the Brooklyn Nets, who will be thinking about Cancun. The Heat will play a Raptors team that they destroyed on Friday Night. If all these teams win, then, the Magic and Pacers will avoid the play-in tournament.
5. West No. 8 seed
The Lakers will be desperate to defeat the Pelicans because they occupy the 8th spot at 46-35, one game ahead of the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors. The Warriors and Kings have the easier opponents because they will play the Utah Jazz and Portland Trailblazers. However, a Lakers win over the Pelicans will make the outcomes elsewhere meaningless because they will clinch the No. 8 seed. If the Lakers lose, the Kings and Warriors have the head-to-head tiebreaker over them, and Sacramento has over Golden State. A three-way tie would give the Kings the spot and two chances to make the playoffs.
The scenarios presented will force teams to play hard and watch the scoreboard elsewhere. It promises to be a wild finish to the regular season, and it’s just how Adam Silver drew it up.