Western Conference Standings Watch: The Finale
The Phoenix Suns are still fighting for a top-six spot in the West.
The 2023-24 NBA regular season has nearly been completed - as all 30 teams are set to play game 82 over the weekend.
This season has been full of dramatic moments, tense playoff races, and stellar individual showings - all of that will conclude for 10 of the league's teams tomorrow afternoon.
What are the Western Conference standings looking like going into game 82 - and more importantly how are the Phoenix Suns stacking up?
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (55-26)
The Thunder have gained an unexpected upper-hand in the pursuit of home-court advantage throughout the West playoffs.
All OKC needs to do to clinch the top seed is beat the Dallas Mavericks - a team which is going to rest the majority of key contributors, per head coach Jason Kidd.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves (55-26)
Minnesota has the advantage at the moment to secure the number 2 seed, but need help (a Thunder loss) coupled with a victory over the Suns to get to that point.
It can be presumed that the T-Wolves will play everyone who is able to go on Sunday - this will be a great test for the Suns going into the playoff run.
3. Denver Nuggets (55-26)
Denver went from a near shoe-in to secure the one-seed following a victory over Minnesota to being shocked last night by the San Antonio Spurs.
The Nuggets need a win and losses from both teams in front of them to fall to secure the top overall seed once again.
4. Los Angeles Clippers (51-30)
The Clippers are both locked into a matchup with the Dallas Mavericks in the first round and into possessing home-court advantage in the series as well.
Expect Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue to rest the majority of key contributors in the final game against the Houston Rockets.
5. Dallas Mavericks (50-31)
Dallas is locked into this spot - as previously mentioned Kidd expects to rest the majority of top rotation players on Sunday.
6. New Orleans Pelicans (49-32)
The path is simple - win against the L.A. Lakers and they are locked into the number 6 seed.
Lose, and their ultimate seeding fate will be decided by the Suns - both teams play at the same time tomorrow afternoon.
7. Phoenix Suns (48-33)
The Suns are set to finish no worse than seventh in the final standings, so they are guaranteed to at least host the first play-in game if they fail to secure a playoff spot.
The most ideal scenario for the Suns is as follows:
- Win at Minnesota
- Pelicans loss to Lakers
- Nuggets win at Grizzlies
- Thunder win vs Mavericks
This scenario would result in a 3 vs 6 matchup between the Suns and Timberwolves - this would be the absolute most optimal outcome according to a large faction of Suns fans.
8. Los Angeles Lakers (46-35)
The Lakers will officially lock up the number 8 seed with a win against New Orleans.
A loss and a victory by the Sacramento Kings would push them back to the nine seed - as Sacramento won the season series 4-0.
A loss and victories by the Kings/Warriors would slot them back in the dreaded 10 seed - in which a pair of wins on the road are necessary to sneak into the postseason.
A Warriors loss locks them into the 10 seed.
This is ultimately one of the wildest playoff races in NBA history, Suns fans and fans of the league at-large should buckle up for the final day of the season - it is sure to be an exhilarating ride to the final line.
