Denver Nuggets defeat San Antonio Spurs to secure third Western Conference seed
Nikola Jokic scored 23 points in a first-half masterclass as the Denver Nuggets beat the San Antonio Spurs 128-118 to claim the third seed in the Western Conference.
The crucial victory on the final day of the regular season ensures the Colorado franchise will host the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the post-season.
Three-time Most Valuable Player Jokic played just over 18 minutes in Texas, registering eight rebounds alongside his impressive scoring haul.
Crucially, the 31-year-old Serbian reached the 65-game threshold required to become eligible for the league’s prestigious season-ending awards.
Lakers secure fourth despite injury woes
Denver’s triumph meant the Los Angeles Lakers locked in the fourth seed for the upcoming play-offs, which commence this weekend.
Despite missing top scorers Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves through injury, the Californian outfit comfortably defeated the Utah Jazz 131-107.
Veteran superstar LeBron James impressed during his time on the court, with the 41-year-old recording 18 points, six assists and four rebounds before the interval.
The Lakers are now scheduled to welcome the fifth-seeded Houston Rockets in their opening post-season series.
Wembanyama rested as Spurs await opponents
San Antonio had already secured the second seed in the West following an earlier victory against the Dallas Mavericks.
With their post-season standing confirmed, MVP contender Victor Wembanyama was rested following a spectacular 40-point performance on Saturday.
De’Aaron Fox stepped up to lead the Texas side with 24 points in the French prodigy’s absence.
Julian Strawther and Jonas Valanciunas contributed heavily to the Nuggets’ winning total, scoring 25 and 16 points respectively.
The Spurs will host the ultimate winner of the in-play tournament clash between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Phoenix Suns.
Top seeds await play-in tournament results
The innovative in-play tournament functions as a round-robin competition following the regular season to determine the final two post-season spots in each conference.
Defending NBA champions the Oklahoma City Thunder have secured the coveted top seed in the fiercely competitive Western Conference.
Meanwhile, Eastern Conference outfits the Detroit Pistons and the Boston Celtics have successfully claimed the first and second seeds respectively.
These elite franchises will discover their first-round opponents once the qualification tournament concludes on Friday.
