The playoff scenarios for the Timberwolves, Thunder and Nuggets on Sunday
NBA fans will be treated to a dramatic regular season finale Sunday when three Western Conference teams fight it out for the No. 1 seed, including the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Wolves, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Denver Nuggets are level on 56-25 ahead of Sunday's final regular season game.
The Wolves hold the tiebreaker over Oklahoma and Denver, but Oklahoma holds it in the event of a three-way tie (yes, confusing). Minnesota takes on the Phoenix Suns at Target Center. Phoenix still has the chance of overhauling the New Orleans Pelicans for the 6th seed and avoiding the play-in tournament, so it will be no walkover for the Wolves.
The Thunder meanwhile are facing the Dallas Mavericks and the Nuggets visit the Memphis Grizzlies, neither of whom has anything to play for. This means the Wolves' rivals are hot favorites to win.
Here's a look at the various permutations and scenarios facing the Wolves on Sunday, with any one of the 1, 2 and 3 seeds possible.
First of all, Minnesota needs to win to have any hope of getting the No. 1 seed. In three out of four scenarios in which the Timberwolves win, they get the No. 1 spot. That includes if the Thunder lose and Nuggets win and vice-versa, and naturally if both teams lose.
The only scenario in which that doesn't happen is if all three teams win, in which case the Wolves would keep the No. 2 spot.
Lose and the Wolves face the risk of falling to No. 3 and a possible first-round matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans (or the Suns if they overhaul them on Sunday). Minnesota falls to third if they lose and both the Thunder and Nuggets win, but they would remain in second if either of those teams lose along with Minnesota.