Nikola Jokic

Getty

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic.

The Denver Nuggets are back at home tonight to take on the second-best team in the Western Conference, the San Antonio Spurs.

In their last matchup, the Nuggets came out victorious after a thrilling fourth quarter that saw both teams converting crucial baskets down the stretch. 

Ultimately, it was Nikola Jokic who got the best of his star counterpart, Victor Wembanyama, after hitting his patented turnaround shot off one leg over the mighty contest of the 7-foot-5 Frenchman.

Nikola Jokic

GettyDenver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic.

After the buzzer sounded, there was high excitement. Many called it a preview of a spicy second round series. Fans couldn’t wait for what almost certainly looked like a round two matchup at the time.

However, things have changed quite a bit over the last week. 

Both teams have continued to win — Denver has won 11 in a row entering today’s game against San Antonio — but other West teams have suddenly thrown a wrench into the final playoff seedings.

The final playoff picture will be determined today. 

Denver Nuggets’ Questionable Decision Could Cost Deep Postseason Run

Ahead of Friday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder (more on them later), the Nuggets surprisingly chose to sideline their starting lineup. In a game that had significant playoff implications, it was a shocking move, to say the least. 

The Nuggets won the game nonetheless, but a loss would’ve created a massive fodder for debate. 

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers pulled off two unexpected victories. Few imagined the Lakers would still be in contention for the third seed on the final day of the regular season after the team lost Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to same-day injuries.

So, what does this mean for Denver? 

It appears the Nuggets aren’t entirely interested in beating the Spurs tonight, even though San Antonio is likely to rest multiple key starters as well. Considering Los Angeles gets to play the lottery-desired Utah Jazz, Denver is looking at a real scenario where it falls to the fourth seed while the Lakers finish in the third seed. 

If the Nuggets survive the first round of the playoffs, it all but guarantees they’ll face the team that took them out last year. And the team that they haven’t beaten in each of the three meaningful games this season. 

Is that the path Denver really wants? 

Of course, even a victory today may not put the Nuggets in the third seed. The Lakers are playing a Jazz team that is highly-incentivized to lose tonight. Because L.A. holds the tie-breaker over Denver, all it needs to do is beat Utah tonight to lock up the third seed.

A Daunting Playoff Bracket Awaits the Mile Hile Hoopers

They often say “to be the best, you have to beat the best,” but perhaps Denver took this saying a little too literally. 

For the past week, the Nuggets have been committed to entering the postseason fully healthy. That has been their top priority — so much so that they are even willing to withhold Jokic from obtaining eligibility for postseason awards. 

Jokic, 31, has been listed as questionable for tonight’s game. Some say he’ll sit it out and get the extra couple of rest days before Game 1 of the playoffs, others say he’ll give it the minutes required to allow the game to count toward his season’s games played total and then head to the bench.

If Denver falls to the fourth seed, it’ll be set up for an opening round date with the Houston Rockets. That series has the potential to go seven games. 

Squeezing by the Rockets would present the Nuggets a second round battle against a well-rested, athletic and physical Thunder team. Yikes.

Adel Ahmad Adel is a writer with over five years of experience covering the NBA. His work has appeared on various media platforms, both national and local. More about Adel Ahmad

More Heavy on Nuggets

Loading more stories