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Jokic scores 23 points in 65th game for award eligibility as Nuggets top Spurs to claim No. 3 seed
TL;DR
Nikola Jokic scored 23 points in his 65th game, securing NBA award eligibility as the Denver Nuggets defeated the San Antonio Spurs 128-118, clinching the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. The Nuggets will face the No. 6 seed Minnesota in the playoffs.
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Nikola Jokic scored 23 points in the first half of his 65th game to become NBA award eligible and the Denver Nuggets beat the San Antonio Spurs 128-118 on Sunday night to secure the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. Denver had seven players score in double figures, including Julian Strawther with 25 points and Jonas Valanciunas, who finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds. De'Aaron Fox scored 24 points to lead San Antonio, which had a three-game winning streak snapped. Stephon Castle added 10 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists in his return from a two-game absence due to left foot soreness. Spurs All-Star Victor Wembanyama, who reached award eligibility in his previous game, sat out as he recovers from a left rib contusion. Jokic sat out the second half after going 7 for 12 from the field, with eight rebounds, two assists and a blocked shot in 18 minutes, 15 seconds. Jokic was listed as questionable with an injured right wrist, but entered the finale having played in 64 games. The NBA requires players to participate in 65 games to be eligible for MVP, All-NBA and Defensive Player of the Year honors. The NBA allows two exemptions of 15 to 19:59 minutes played to count as an official game. Jokic had one exemption remaining. Denver (54-28) will host No. 6 Minnesota (48-33) in the opening round of the playoffs. San Antonio, which matched the third-most victories in franchise history after going 62-20, will play the seventh seed, which will be determined by the winner of the first play-in game. Denver went on a 22-0 run two minutes into the second quarter, holding San Antonio scoreless for 8:45 in building a 63-40 lead. Jokic had 11 points and Curtis Jones added 10 in the quarter. Jones finished with 13 points. Spurs rookie Carter Bryant had 13 points, including a dunk over Jokic, along with five rebounds, five assists and three blocks.
Up next
Nuggets: Host opener of first-round playoff series April 18 or April 19. Spurs: Host opener of first-round playoff series against the No. 7 seed April 18 or April 19. \\\_ AP NBA:
Q&A
How did Nikola Jokic become eligible for NBA awards?
Nikola Jokic became eligible for NBA awards by playing in his 65th game, scoring 23 points, which meets the league's requirement for MVP and All-NBA honors.
What was the final score of the Nuggets vs. Spurs game?
The Denver Nuggets defeated the San Antonio Spurs with a final score of 128-118.
Who will the Denver Nuggets face in the first round of the playoffs?
The Denver Nuggets will host the No. 6 seed Minnesota Timberwolves in the opening round of the playoffs.
