Jokić Nearly Top Scorer in 18 Minutes: Nuggets Secure Third Seed!

Denver boasted seven players in double figures, led by Julian Strawther with 25 points and Jonas Valančiūnas, who recorded a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Jokić sat out the entire second half, finishing his 18 minutes and 15 seconds on the court with 7/12 shooting from the field, eight rebounds, two assists, and one block.

De'Aaron Fox spearheaded San Antonio with 24 points, snapping the Spurs' three-game winning streak. Stephon Castle added 10 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists in his return to action after a two-game absence due to left foot soreness.

Spurs All-Star Victor Wembanyama, who qualified for awards in the previous game, missed this matchup while recovering from a rib contusion.

Nikola Jokić was initially questionable for this game due to a right wrist injury but entered the regular season finale having played 64 games. NBA rules mandate players must appear in at least 65 games to be eligible for MVP, All-NBA selections, or Defensive Player of the Year awards. The league allows for two exceptions where games with 15 to 19:59 minutes played count as official appearances, and Nikola Jokić had one such exception remaining.

Denver (54-28) will host sixth-seeded Minnesota (48-33) in the first round of the playoffs. San Antonio, meanwhile, will face the seventh seed, which will be determined after the first play-in tournament game.

The Nuggets went on a 22-0 run early in the second quarter, holding San Antonio scoreless for a full eight minutes and 45 seconds, building a commanding 63-40 lead. Jokić scored 11 points in that stretch, with Curtis Jones adding 10.

Jones concluded the game with 13 points. Spurs rookie Carter Bryant also tallied 13 points, including a dunk over Jokić, along with five rebounds, five assists, and three blocks.

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