As we wind down the 2023-24 NBA regular season, there is quite the logjam atop the Western Conference standings. Three teams are vying for the top overall seed out West for the postseason. Of course, the top seed provides home-court advantage through the Western Conference playoff bracket.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, and Minnesota Timberwolves are all within a game of each other. The regular season ends on April 14, so the race for the top seed may come down to the final day.
Who Has The Most Favorable Schedule Among The Top 3 West Teams?
Thunder Have Precarious Lead in West Standings
With a 52-22 record, Oklahoma City has eight games remaining. They currently own a slim half-game over the Nuggets and a game above of the Timberwolves for the top spot out West.
The Thunder have an odd schedule to end the season. Their next four games are on the road, while their final four games are at home. It’s an east coast trip as all four away games are against Eastern Conference opponents.
Six of their remaining eight games are against over .500 opponents. Their next two games are a back-to-back Tuesday and Wednesday against the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics. Oklahoma City’s other two road games are against the Indiana Pacers and Charlotte Hornets.
Their last four games (again all at home) see them face off against the Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Milwaukee Bucks, and Dallas Mavericks.
Tankathon lists the OKC’s remaining strength of schedule as the 10th hardest in the league.
Nuggets Looking to Defend Title
With seven games remaining, Denver owns a 52-23 record. All eyes are on Jamal Murray as he has missed the last five games with an ankle injury. His return date is uncertain.
The Nuggets have three games left at home and four on the road. There is a pivotal matchup remaining against the Timberwolves on April 10 in Denver.
Otherwise, four of the other six games remaining on the Nuggets schedule are against teams eliminated from the playoff race. There are two games left with the Spurs and one apiece against the Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies. Their other two games see them square off on the road against the Los Angeles Clippers and at home against the Atlanta Hawks.
The Nuggets have the third easiest remaining strength of schedule giving them a clear path to secure the top seed in back-to-back years.
One of Minnesota’s Best Seasons Ever
At 51-23, the Timberwolves need just one more win to finish with their second-best record in team history.
Much like Denver, Minnesota is missing a key piece. Karl-Anthony Towns underwent knee surgery to repair his left meniscus and has missed the last 12 games. It is unclear if he will return prior to the end of the regular season.
Left on the schedule are four home games and three on the road. Their three away games are against Western Conference playoff contenders: the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, and Nuggets. They also play Phoenix in Minnesota.
The other three home games consist of the Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors, and Hawks. Ultimately, this gives the Timberwolves the 19th most difficult remaining strength of schedule giving them a solid shot at the top seed.
Tiebreakers
When it comes to tiebreakers, both the Timberwolves and Thunder have already clinched the tiebreaker over Denver.
Minnesota currently owns the tiebreaker with Oklahoma City with a 12-3 record against the Northwest Division (Thunder are 12-4).
Buckle up, it’s going to be a fun ride to see who finished first in the Western Conference standings.
