Checking in on every playoff and play-in race as final week of season begins

Western Conference 1-3

Nuggets fans are likely well-versed in this race by this point but it’s pretty crazy we still have three teams with a shot at the top seed entering the final week of the season.

1. Minnesota Timberwolves 54-24

2. Denver Nuggets 54-24

3. Oklahoma City Thunder 53-25

All three teams have taken their turn at the top, and homecourt advantage would mean a lot to each of them. But they are all also trying to manage injuries and rest down the stretch here. The Nuggets finally got Jamal Murray back, now they want to get the team some rhythm.

The Wolves have been dealing with the loss of Karl-Anthony Towns for a month now. The defense has remained elite in his absence, and the offense is starting to find its stride but is still a work in progress.

The Thunder have been playing without their top two players, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams for the past four games and the team has dropped a few games. Without those guys, this team has no shot.

These teams obviously have bigger ambitions than getting the one seed, and they’ll prioritize health and rest. But still, they’d all love to have the one seed and homecourt advantage. The Nuggets play the Wolves on Wednesday night in a huge game that may end up deciding this race.