Nikola Jokic made a triumphant return to the court, leading the Denver Nuggets to a decisive 128-118 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in the final game of the regular NBA season. This win secured the Nuggets the coveted third seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
Jokic, the three-time MVP who had been sidelined for four weeks with a knee injury, showcased his elite form by scoring 23 points and grabbing eight rebounds in just over 18 minutes of play. His performance was crucial in locking down Denver's postseason positioning.
"Playing just enough to hit the 65-game threshold for award eligibility, Jokic's efficient first-half appearance demonstrated why he remains one of the league's most formidable forces," noted one analyst.
The victory had immediate playoff implications, pushing the Los Angeles Lakers into the fourth seed. The Lakers secured their spot with a 131-107 win over the Utah Jazz, despite missing key scorers Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves due to injuries. Veteran star LeBron James contributed 18 points, six assists, and four rebounds in the first half to help seal the deal.
With the regular season concluded, the first-round matchups are set. The Denver Nuggets will host the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves, while the Los Angeles Lakers will face the fifth-seeded Houston Rockets.
For the Nuggets, support came from Julian Strawther, who poured in 25 points, and Jonas Valančiūnas, who recorded a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. The Spurs, who had already clinched the second seed, rested MVP contender Victor Wembanyama after his 40-point outing two days prior. De'Aaron Fox led San Antonio's effort with 24 points.
San Antonio will await the winner of the play-in tournament game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Phoenix Suns to determine their first-round opponent. The play-in tournament, a round-robin contest involving eight teams, will finalize the seventh and eighth seeds in each conference by Friday.
Meanwhile, the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, defending NBA champions, along with the Eastern Conference's top seeds, the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics, will also discover their first-round foes once the play-in tournament concludes. The NBA playoffs are scheduled to begin this weekend.