With a 126-111 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday, the defending champion Denver Nuggets locked up the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. Nikola Jokic finished with 15 points and 15 rebounds. Jamal Murray scored 21 points.
The Nuggets (57-25) tied a team record for victories and concluded with an identical record as Oklahoma City; however, a head-to-head tiebreaker allowed the Thunder to win the West. The Timberwolves are now one game behind Denver after their defeat to Phoenix put them to third place.
According to Nuggets coach Michael Malone, “not being satisfied with last year” was the key to matching the franchise record.
“It is amazing to tie the franchise record for wins in a season, especially after winning a championship,” Malone remarked. That is what the year has been all about. Not content.
Denver, Oklahoma City, and Minnesota were tied at three points going into the game. With three teams vying for the top spot, it was the first time such a deadlock had developed on the last day of the season. The Thunder’s victory over Dallas guaranteed them the top place.
In a first-round playoff series, the Nuggets will take either the Los Angeles Lakers or the New Orleans Pelicans. On Tuesday night, the Pelicans will host the Lakers in a play-in game.
Malone remarked, “I am just glad the regular season is over.” “We will watch the New Orleans-LA game on Tuesday night; we have the second seed.”
For the Nuggets, Aaron Gordon contributed 15 points and Christian Braun scored 19.
Denver forward Michael Porter Jr., who ended with 12 points, five rebounds, and four assists, said, “We just have an identity now.” “Our core group and I have not played together in a very long time. We now have a certain chemistry.
With 44 points, GG Jackson scored a career-high to lead Memphis. For the Grizzlies, who finished 27-55 and ranked 13th in the West, Jake LaRavia finished with 29 points. During the season, Memphis lost five straight games.
Jackson, the 45th pick in the previous round, was a two-way player when the season started. In his last game of the season, he scored more than 40 points, cementing his multi-year deal.
Regarding the season, Jackson remarked, “It is the most adversity I have ever had to deal with mentally.” “Everything about my basketball career was provided and went really well. All I needed to do was hone and polish.
Denver struggled to gain a substantial lead in the first half; however, a 9-0 run in the last minutes gave them a 66-54 advantage at the break. In the first half, Denver shot 51%, with Murray scoring 19 points.
Denver’s second-half 11-2 run stretched the advantage to 21, and the Nuggets cruised to victory while their players rested for the fourth quarter.
Key Denver players like Murray and Jokic were doubtful before the game, but all of the team’s usual starters made it through.
Memphis’ season was ruined by injuries that sidelined several important players for protracted periods of time. Against Denver, the Grizzlies only fielded eight players, the most of whom were on 10- and two-way contracts. Memphis was the No. 2 seed in the West only the previous season.
“Every season offers a unique opportunity,” stated head coach Taylor Jenkins. “Obviously, nobody was prepared for what this presented.”