The Denver Nuggets secured the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference after defeating the injury-ridden Memphis Grizzlies 126-111, tying their franchise record for single-season wins.

By the Numbers
  • Denver finished the regular season with a 57-25 record.
  • Six players scored in double figures by the end of the third quarter, with Jamal Murray leading with 21 points.
  • Nikola Jokic ended the season with 15 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, and four steals.
  • The Nuggets went 24-17 on the road during the regular season.
Yes, But

The decision not to rest starters and risk losing to potentially manipulate the final standings could have had different outcomes and faced criticism.

State of Play
  • Denver took the risk of playing starters and secured the No. 2 seed in the West, facing the winner of a Lakers-vs.-Pelicans play-in game.
  • The Nuggets demonstrated resilience in bouncing back after a challenging game in San Antonio to end the regular season on a high note.
What's Next

The Nuggets will face the winner of the Pelicans-Lakers play-in game in Round 1 of the playoffs, aiming to continue their success into the postseason.

Bottom Line

Despite the risks taken, the Nuggets' decision to play their starters paid off, securing a favorable seed for the playoffs and setting a strong tone for their postseason campaign.