The Denver Nuggets suffered a narrow 121-120 defeat against the San Antonio Spurs, resulting in a three-way tie for the top spot in the Western Conference as the NBA regular season nears its conclusion. Wins by the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves further intensified the race heading into the final day.

Despite securing a crucial victory over the Timberwolves on Wednesday, positioning themselves as frontrunners for the No. 1 seed in the West playoffs, the Nuggets’ fortunes took a sudden turn with Devonte’ Graham’s late heroics for the Spurs. The unexpected loss left Denver coach Michael Malone disappointed, especially considering the team’s earlier control over their destiny.

Looking ahead to their final regular-season game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Malone stressed the importance of maintaining focus and finishing strong, regardless of the seeding outcome. He acknowledged the competitive nature of the league and emphasized the team’s resilience.

The scenario marks a historic moment in NBA history, with three teams sharing identical records at this late stage of the season, each vying for the coveted top seed in their conference. Denver’s collapse against San Antonio was particularly notable, representing both the Spurs’ largest comeback of the season and the Nuggets’ largest collapse of the campaign.

In Oklahoma City, the Thunder’s victory over the Milwaukee Bucks was followed by coach Mark Daigneault’s subdued reaction to the Nuggets’ loss, highlighting the team’s need to remain focused on their own performance. Rookie center Chet Holmgren echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of controlling what they can amidst the playoff seeding uncertainty.

Elsewhere in the Western Conference, playoff positioning remained uncertain following Friday’s games, with only the LA Clippers and the Dallas Mavericks locked into the 4-5 matchup. The New Orleans Pelicans’ impressive win over the Golden State Warriors propelled them into contention for the No. 6 seed, with Zion Williamson’s standout performance drawing praise from coach Willie Green.

The Pelicans now have a chance to secure the 6th seed with a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, while the Suns’ fate hinges on their final game against the Kings and the outcome of the Pelicans’ matchup. The Lakers, currently in the 8th seed, aim to solidify their position in the play-in tournament with a win against New Orleans.

As the regular season draws to a close, teams like the Kings and the Warriors face intense pressure to secure playoff berths, with every game crucial in determining their postseason fate. Despite the uncertainty, players like Stephen Curry remain focused on bouncing back and maintaining positive momentum heading into the playoffs or play-in scenarios.