As the NBA regular season winds down and the playoff picture crystallizes, the reigning champions in Denver appear poised to emerge once again as the frontrunners in the Western Conference. Currently leading the standings out West after a midweek victory over a formidable opponent, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Nuggets sit atop the pacing order. Securing the top seed in the West has been a challenging journey, with both the Wolves and the youthful Oklahoma City Thunder spending time at the helm this season.
Photo Cred: NBA
With only a weekend of regular season basketball remaining, both challengers trail the defending champions by just one game. The Nuggets have favorable matchups against the San Antonio Spurs and Memphis Grizzlies, both of whom languish near the bottom of the Western standings, setting the stage for another playoff run with home court advantage. However, the outcome remains uncertain, as the final standings hinge on this weekend’s games.
In the Timberwolves’ last two matches, they face the Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns, both currently in the play-in tournament. While the Hawks have secured the 10th seed in the East, the Suns, despite their talented roster featuring Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal, find themselves in a struggle to avoid the play-in tournament. Nonetheless, a deep playoff run could reshape their season narrative. Despite their current seeding, the Suns could prove formidable opponents for the top three Western teams in the first round, potentially causing upsets.
The Suns are slated to face the Timberwolves in the first round, but their regular-season finale matchup might shuffle the standings. With both teams playing their final games at home, the Timberwolves, led by Anthony Edwards, are poised to maintain their pursuit of the top seed. Lastly, Oklahoma City Thunder, boasting the youngest roster among the contenders, have been captivating to watch this season. Led by 25-year-old MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, along with emerging stars Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, the Thunder spent considerable time as the top team in the West.
Photo Cred: Forbes
Despite a recent three-game losing streak, they have rallied with three consecutive wins. Their final two regular-season games against the Milwaukee Bucks and the Dallas Mavericks present tougher challenges. However, the absence of key players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard for the Bucks matchup could work in the Thunder’s favor. The Mavericks’ approach to resting key players, including Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, also remains uncertain, potentially influencing the outcome.
Photo Cred: USA Today
In the culmination of the regular season, Denver, Minnesota, and Oklahoma City have all presented compelling cases for the top spot in the West. The weekend’s matchups suggest none of them are likely to falter, potentially securing the Nuggets another top seed. Regardless of the outcome, anticipation is high as playoff basketball finally approaches. With the Western Conference race tightening and the playoff seedings hanging in the balance, fans are eagerly awaiting the thrilling conclusion to what has been a captivating regular season.
