How Timberwolves can get No. 1 seed in West: NBA Playoff tiebreakers explained

With just one game left in the regular season, the Minnesota Timberwolves are in a three-way tie for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.

The Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City Thunder and Wolves all have an identical 56-25 record. The Thunder however, are currently No. 1 in the West because they have the better head-to-head record against both teams.

Oklahoma City went 5-3 vs. Denver and Minnesota. The Wolves however, went 4-4 vs. the Thunder and Nuggets. Denver meanwhile went 3-5 vs. Minnesota and Oklahoma City.

Sounds confusing?

Here's an explanation of how the Wolves can finish the regular season with the No. 1 seed in the West.

Minnesota, Oklahoma City and Denver will all play one last regular season game on Sunday.

The Wolves play the Suns at home, the Nuggets face the Grizzlies on the road and the Thunder host the Mavericks. All three teams will start their games at 2:30 PM CT on Sunday.

To get the No.1 seed, Minnesota has to beat Phoenix and either Denver or Oklahoma City will have to lose.

Here's a breakdown of how the Wolves can get the No. 1 seed.

If Wolves win and Thunder win and Nuggets lose

If Wolves win and Thunder lose and Nuggets lose

If Wolves win and Thunder lose and Nuggets win

Here's a breakdown of the remaining scenarios for the Wolves, Thunder and Nuggets and how each team will finish in the West.

If Wolves win and Thunder win and Nuggets win

If Wolves lose and Thunder win and Nuggets win

If Wolves lose and Thunder lose and Nuggets win

If Wolves lose and Thunder lose and Nuggets lose