Devonte’ Graham destroyed the NBA tiebreaker system on his trip to Cancun, causing the Western Conference standings to collapse behind him.

Welcome to the most hectic last-day setup for a number-one seed in history.

After 81 games, the NBA has never had a three-way tie for first place in a conference. Even if the Nuggets (56-25) had held on to their 23-point advantage over the Spurs, the top seed in the West would still be unresolved heading into Sunday’s games. 

It would have been much simpler: Denver would have had complete control over its fate. Winning in Memphis would secure No. 1.

Instead, the Nuggets let one slip away against the poorest club in the West. As a result? Nobody, no one, has control over their own destiny as the No. 1 seed entering the last day of the 2023-24 regular season.

Are you confused yet? Here are all of the significant games in the Western Conference on Sunday, as well as all of the possible outcomes for the Nuggets.

Nuggets’ relevant games. Sunday (MT)Nuggets vs. Grizzlies, 1:30 p.m.Mavericks at Thunder, 1:30 p.m.Suns at Timberwolves: 1:30 p.m.Lakers-Pelicans, 1:30 p.m. (ESPN).

Jazz at Warriors: 1:30 p.m.Trail Blazers at Kings, 1:30 p.m.

NBA’s 4-way tiebreaker, explained:

If the Nuggets, Timberwolves, and Thunder finish in a three-way tie, the final standings will change from if the Timberwolves and Thunder finish in a two-way tie, implying that the Nuggets-Grizzlies game may be important even if it isn’t for the Nuggets.

First tiebreaker: 

A division winner has the advantage over a non-division winner. However, because all three teams are in the Northwest division, this solution is ineffective.

Second tiebreaker: 

The highest win % in all head-to-head games between tied clubs. Minnesota went 2-2 versus Denver and 2-2 against Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City won the season series against Denver 3-1. This means Oklahoma City is 5-3 overall, Minnesota is 4-4, and Denver is 3-5. As a result, the Thunder would receive the number one seed.

The tiebreaker would then be reset, and the No. 2 seed between Denver and Minnesota would be decided using the two-way tie rule.

NBA two-way tiebreaker, explainedFirst tiebreaker is head-to-head record. Again, Denver and Minnesota split their four games.

Third tiebreaker: 

A division winner gets the advantage over a non-division winner. However, in this scenario, Oklahoma City has already won both the division and the conference. Onward.

The third criteria is win percentage inside the division. Minnesota is 12-4 versus Northwest Division opponents. Denver is 10–6. Minnesota is in an advantageous position. The three-way tie would end with Denver finishing third.

If Oklahoma City and Minnesota end up tied, the tiebreaker process will be used. Not only did they split their four games, but they also had the same 12-4 division record.

Fourth tiebreaker: 

winning percentage inside the conference. Minnesota is two games ahead of Oklahoma City in terms of win-loss records in the West. So Minnesota would get the higher seed in this two-way tiebreaker, despite the fact that Oklahoma City would get the higher seed in the three-way tiebreaker.

If you’re having trouble understanding that, here are the scenarios split down into the most likely outcomes of Sunday’s games.

NBA Western Conference: No. 1 seed scenarios On Sunday, the Nuggets are the top seed if:

Denver won, Minnesota lost, and Oklahoma City lost.

Thunder are the top seed if:

If Oklahoma City wins and Denver loses, Minnesota also loses.

The Timberwolves are the number one seed if:

Either Minnesota wins and Denver loses, or Minnesota wins and Oklahoma City loses.

Nuggets playoff seeding scenarios: On Sunday, the Nuggets are the top seed if:

Denver won, Minnesota lost, and Oklahoma City lost.

Nuggets are the second seed if:

Denver wins if Minnesota loses and Oklahoma City wins. Alternatively, Denver wins if Minnesota wins and Oklahoma City loses.

Nuggets are the third seed if:

Possible outcomes: Denver loses, Minnesota wins, or Oklahoma City wins.

Who will the Nuggets face in Round One of the playoffs?

If Nuggets are the first or second seed:

New Orleans, Phoenix, the Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento, or Golden StateThe opponent will not be revealed until late next week, following the Play-In Tournament.

If Nuggets are the third seed:

New Orleans OR Phoenix.

This is the only scenario in which Denver’s first-round opponent will be set by the end of the day Sunday. 

New Orleans leads Phoenix by one game, but Phoenix has the head-to-head tiebreaker if the teams finish tied for sixth place. 

So, whether New Orleans and Phoenix win or lose, New Orleans is ranked sixth. If New Orleans loses and Phoenix wins, Phoenix will be No. 6.