The situation became complicated by San Antonio's 121-120 victory in the 2023-2024 NBA regular season game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Denver Nuggets at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on the 13th (Korea time).

Denver, which was the lone No. 1 ranking ahead of the second place by one game before the game, could have taken first place in the West on its own if it won the remaining two games.

Denver's remaining opponents were San Antonio, ranked 14th out of 15 Western Conference teams, and Memphis Grizzlies, ranked 13th, so Denver was expected to win two games without difficulty.

However, as Denver lost on the day, Denver, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Minnesota Timberwolves became 56-25 in the West.

The three teams will play their final matches on the 15th, the last day of the regular league, and the first to third places will be determined according to the results.

The most advantageous side is Oklahoma City.

If the three teams finish the season tied, Oklahoma City, which is ahead of the opponent's record, will be ranked first, while Minnesota and Denver will be ranked second and third.

However, Oklahoma City cannot confirm its No. 1 ranking on its own.

Even if Oklahoma City wins the remaining Dallas Mavericks, Denver will lose to Memphis, and if Minnesota beats the Phoenix Suns, Minnesota will be No. 1.

If the three teams are tied, Oklahoma City will be ranked first, but if only Oklahoma City and Minnesota are tied, Minnesota will be the leading team.

The most disadvantageous team is Denver.

Last season's winner Denver will win the rest of the game, and Oklahoma City and Minnesota will have to lose both to be No. 1.

After beating Phoenix, Minnesota will be ranked first if either Oklahoma City or Denver loses.

In fact, there is not much difference between the first and third places.

If they finish third, they will play the first round of the playoffs with sixth place in the regular league, and if they finish second, they will meet the winner of the single-round match of the 7th and 8th place teams in the play-in tournament in the first round.

If they become first place, they will play the first round of the playoffs against the team that has played two games in the play-in tournament with the regular league title.

BY: 안전놀이터