SAN ANTONIO — — Nikola Jokic scored 23 factors within the first half of his sixty fifth sport to turn out to be NBA award eligible and the Denver Nuggets beat the San Antonio Spurs 128-118 on Sunday night time to safe the No. 3 seed within the Western Conference.
Denver had seven gamers rating in double figures, together with Julian Strawther with 25 factors and Jonas Valanciunas, who completed with 16 factors and 11 rebounds.
De’Aaron Fox scored 24 factors to guide San Antonio, which had a three-game profitable streak snapped. Stephon Castle added 10 factors, 11 rebounds and 9 assists in his return from a two-game absence because of left foot soreness.
Spurs All-Star Victor Wembanyama, who reached award eligibility in his earlier sport, sat out as he recovers from a left rib contusion.
Jokic sat out the second half after going 7 for 12 from the sector, with eight rebounds, two assists and a blocked shot in 18 minutes, 15 seconds.
Jokic was listed as questionable with an injured proper wrist, however entered the finale having performed in 64 video games.
The NBA requires gamers to take part in 65 video games to be eligible for MVP, All-NBA and Defensive Player of the Year honors. The NBA permits two exemptions of 15 to 19:59 minutes performed to depend as an official sport. Jokic had one exemption remaining.
Denver (54-28) will host No. 6 Minnesota (48-33) within the opening spherical of the playoffs.
San Antonio, which matched the third-most victories in franchise historical past after going 62-20, will play the seventh seed, which can be decided by the winner of the primary play-in sport.
Denver went on a 22-0 run two minutes into the second quarter, holding San Antonio scoreless for 8:45 in constructing a 63-40 lead. Jokic had 11 factors and Curtis Jones added 10 within the quarter.
Jones completed with 13 factors.
Spurs rookie Carter Bryant had 13 factors, together with a dunk over Jokic, together with 5 rebounds, 5 assists and three blocks.
Nuggets: Host opener of first-round playoff sequence April 18 or April 19.
Spurs: Host opener of first-round playoff sequence towards the No. 7 seed April 18 or April 19.
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