First, the tanking Grizzlies upset the Nuggets, who thus dropped to the West's No. 6 seed, one game back of Minnesota. Second, the Rockets, who lost to the Lakers for the second consequential result of the night.

The clock is ticking on lottery positioning as the regular season inches to the end.

With a deep class expected for the 2026 NBA Draft, there's a race to the bottom of the standings, as teams are subtly and not-so-subtly tanking.

TIEBREAKER BASIS FOR TWO-WAY TIES: TIEBREAKER BASIS FOR MULTI-WAY TIES: Ties for playoff positions (including division winners) will be broken utilizing the criteria set forth in subparagraph a. below (in the case of ties involving two teams) and ...