The worst-case scenario played out for the Timberwolves on Sunday.
Entering a day when they could have moved up to the No. 1 seed with some help, or guaranteed at least the No. 2 seed with a victory, the Wolves fell to the Suns 125-106 to end the regular season, dropping to the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.
To make matters worse, their first-round matchup will be the Suns, who avoided the play-in tournament with their victory and with New Orleans getting blown out at home 124-108 by the Lakers.
This Suns team has owned the Wolves — Phoenix has led by double digits in the second half the entirety of each of the teams' three matchups this season.