‘Dancing With the Stars’ recap: Ginger, Nyle and Paige still toe-to-toe for the win

This season’s “Dancing With the Stars” finale had all the trappings of a fierce and bloody three-way battle for the Mirrorball trophy, with the competing celebs being distinct in their styles and personalities but fairly evenly matched in talent, charisma, scores and fan support.

That almost never happens.

And it nearly didn’t happen this go-around either when word emerged over the weekend that “Good Morning America” meteorologist Ginger Zee had suffered back spasms and an injured pelvis. She was relegated to the sidelines instead of the dance floor and, with the clock ticking, told “People” magazine on Sunday, “I’m not even close to where I need to be to perform.”

But the 35-year-old new mom rallied – using that patented “DWTS” push-through-the-pain grit – put on those sparkly outfits and smiled through the aches. If she was taking it easy, it didn’t show.

How’d she fare? Read on to find out about her and her rivals Nyle DiMarco, the only deaf contestant to ever win “America’s Next Top Model,” and Paige VanZant, the UFC grappler who hardly missed a single step in two-plus months of hoofing.

But just for context, here’s how wafer-thin the margins are. Each of the finalists has been at the top of the leaderboard multiple times, and they’ve all landed perfect scores. There are only a few points separating first from last. That’s mighty close.

It’s usually obvious, shortly into a new season, who is most likely to win. That was certainly true, most recently, of Bindi Irwin. By the homestretch, it wasn’t even a contest anymore.

But it wasn’t the case for Season 22, where Boyz II Men singer Wanya Morris was an early front-runner and “Fuller House” actress Jodie Sweetin was a fan favorite. Many betting folks had picked those two to hang tough until the end. But they were sent packing.

That left Ginger, Nyle and Paige to tackle two dances on Monday night – one a freestyle and the other a do-over from a previous effort. Here’s how it went in Round 1, Redemption Mode:

Ginger Zee and Val Chmerkovskiy

Contemporary to “Adventure of a Lifetime” by Coldplay

Ginger’s muscles were “freaking out” during rehearsals, she said during the video segment -- meaning she had to spend some serious tear-filled time with the on-set chiropractor. But she bounced back. It was a flowing, lovely contemporary routine, a medley of their best performances. There were some really beautiful lifts and spins in that routine. Len Goodman found “much more fluidity” in the movement and the lifts “organic” to the dance. Bruno Tonioli said the “greatest hits” approach showed how much she’s improved, giving a nod to Val’s smart choreography. Carrie Ann Inaba noticed her “core strength” and refinement.

Score: 28, a 10 from Len.

Nyle DiMarco and Peta Murgatroyd

Quickstep to “S.O.B.” by Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats

Week six’s quickstep didn’t go so well, and Peta picked that fast-faced dance for their redo. And it was western-themed. Why? Because Nyle in tight jeans, but that’s just a guess. It was definitely better than the mess from before, when Nyle was completely obscured in a mask from “The Mask” and lost time in all those busy steps. I still think it’s just not his forte. Bruno called it “an exhilarating ride on the Pony Express,” that was “exuberant,” with a few footwork mishaps. Carrie Ann noted some “out of sync” parts, and Len named Nyle, “One heck of a dancer.”

Score: 27.

Paige VanZant and Mark Ballas

Salsa to Pitbull’s “Fireball”

Paige practically burned down the ballroom last week – with the climbing on the furniture and the ripping off of clothes – and she’s the most proficient technical dancer. (Her background, and her dance-teacher mom’s instruction, has been apparent from Day 1). How to keep topping herself? Costume change mid-dance! And fire, fire, fire. Carrie Ann called her a “meteor shower,” who continued to improve an already elevated A-game. Len praised the choreography but didn’t think there was enough hip action for a salsa. Bruno said she outdanced Mark and was “bursting with sex appeal.” Paige got a video message from Jean-Claude Van Damme, but it wasn’t as random as it seemed. She’s been cast in the next “Kickboxer” flick with the martial arts legend, she told co-host Erin Andrews. Huzzah, Paige!

Score: 29, with Len being the holdout with a 9, but it was good enough to put Paige in the lead.

Time for the freestyle routines, a viewer favorite and always a great chance for the competitors to show off their strengths.

Ginger Zee and Val Chmerkovskiy

Freestyle to “Orange Colored Sky” by Nat King Cole

Val, going for the top knot rather than the man bun, decided to do a homage to Fred Astaire – no pyrotechnics, no gimmicks, he said during the practice video, noting that Ginger was “about 60%” because of her injury. But he proceeded to toss Ginger around as if she had no back spasms at all in that retro-charming routine. The crowd and the judges loved it, with Bruno noting the details, the styling, the Turner Classic Movies appeal of the performance. Carrie Ann called it the kind of throwback number that made “DWTS” popular in the first place.

Score: 30, the night’s perfect score so far.

Nyle DiMarco and Peta Murgatroyd

Freestyle to Disturbed’s “The Sound of Silence”

Take Nyle’s shirt off! Oops, that was my outer voice, but luckily Peta understood what America wanted and made it happen. Thanks, Peta! (And thanks to whoever showed an unusual amount of “DWTS” restraint and didn’t make him wax his torso!) There was a story in that routine also, and it brought to the forefront Nyle’s advocacy for the deaf. We’re definitely paying attention to your message, Nyle, and it’s not just because you’re the hottest activist ever. The number was strong and emotional and expressive. All that and a flaming piano! Bruno called it “a work of art” that was “absolutely stunning.” Carrie Ann said it was “the best dance I’ve ever seen” in 22 seasons. Len said it was “a very special dance” from “a very special person.”

Score: 30, the second perfect score of the night so far.

Paige VanZant and Mark Ballas

Freestyle to “Over the Rainbow” performed live by BC Jean, who just happens to be Mark’s fiancee because “DWTS” is incestuous.

Paige was bullied so severely in high school that her family moved from her hometown to escape it, and Mark said during practice that he wanted to tell that story more fully in a triumphant freestyle. Paige said that her “DWTS” experience has brought her out of her shell, and it certainly has shown a side of her that’s not on display while she’s cracking noggins in her mixed martial arts day job. The number was lyrical and effortless, with the type of beautiful lifts and spins that the couple has become known for. Mark cried. Bruno cried. Carrie Ann said Paige has shown how dance can heal.

Score: perfect 30, putting them on top of the leaderboard going into Tuesday.

Coming up tomorrow night: WINNER! Plus tons of filler, performances from pop stars Pitbull, Fleur East and Aloe Blacc, synergistic promotion from the brothers Chmerkovskiy (Val and Maks) for their upcoming tour and cameos from this season’s also-rans, which will range from painful (Mischa Barton! Geraldo Rivera!) to bittersweet (Wanya and Jodie!).