Denver Nuggets

The defending champions are back in the dance.

The Denver Nuggets became the first team in the Western Conference to clinch a playoff berth after Sunday's 130-101 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, moving them to 52-23 on the season.

PLAYOFFS CLINCHED 🔒

The @Nuggets are the first team from the Western Conference to clinch a spot in the 2024 NBA Playoffs! pic.twitter.com/nTHnjEle5b

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 31, 2024

They weren't the only Western Conference team to celebrate on Sunday, as the Oklahoma City Thunder clinched a postseason spot with a win over the New York Knicks:

PLAYOFFS CLINCHED 🔒

The @OKCThunder have clinched a spot in the 2024 NBA Playoffs! pic.twitter.com/l5lEgTVn1h

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 1, 2024

The only other team to clinch a playoff berth thus far is the Boston Celtics (58-16), holders of the best record in basketball.

Here are the full NBA standings:

---

Eastern Conference

1. Boston Celtics: 58-16*

2. Milwaukee Bucks: 47-27

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: 45-30

4. New York Knicks: 44-30

5. Orlando Magic: 43-31

6. Indiana Pacers: 42-33

-----Automatic Playoff Berth Cutoff-----

7. Miami Heat: 41-33

8. Philadelphia 76ers: 40-35

9. Chicago Bulls: 36-39

10. Atlanta Hawks: 34-40

-----Play-In Tournament Cutoff-----

11. Brooklyn Nets: 29-46

12. Toronto Raptors: 23-51**

13. Charlotte Hornets: 18-56**

14. Washington Wizards: 14-61**

15. Detroit Pistons: 13-61**

---

Western Conference

1. Oklahoma City Thunder: 52-22*

2. Denver Nuggets: 52-23*

3. Minnesota Timberwolves: 51-23

4. Los Angeles Clippers: 47-27

5. Dallas Mavericks: 45-29

6. New Orleans Pelicans: 45-29

-----Automatic Playoff Berth Cutoff-----

7. Phoenix Suns: 43-31

8. Sacramento Kings: 42-31

9. Los Angeles Lakers: 42-33

10. Golden State Warriors: 40-34

-----Play-In Tournament Cutoff-----

11. Houston Rockets: 38-36

12. Utah Jazz: 29-45**

13. Memphis Grizzlies: 24-50**

14. Portland Trail Blazers: 19-55**

15. San Antonio Spurs: 18-57**

* Clinched playoff berth

**Eliminated from playoff contention.

---

In the East, the main drama is down to the battle for the last two automatic playoff berths and the fight for the No. 2 seed in the postseason. The Celtics have already clinched the top seed, and the Sixers, Bulls and Hawks seem locked in place as the final three play-in tournament sides.

But the West remains wild.

There's a three-team battle for the top overall seed. The red-hot Mavericks—winners of six straight and 10 of their past 11 games—have surged into the final automatic berth, creating a logjam of contenders for that final spot. And the Warriors are desperately trying to hold off the young Rockets for the final play-in berth.

For the Nuggets, home-court advantage would force teams to deal with Denver's altitude up to four times per series. The Nuggets are 30-8 at home this season, a mark bested only by—you guessed it—the Celtics (32-3).

Superstar center Nikola Jokić is making a strong case to win his third MVP award in the past four seasons, meanwhile, averaging 26.1 points, 12.2 rebounds and 8.9 assists per game while shooting 57.9 percent from the field.

Joker tallied his 23rd triple-double of the year in the @nuggets win over the Cavaliers 🔥🃏

26 PTS / 18 REB / 16 AST

Jokic now has three games this year with 25+ PTS, 15+ REB, and 15+ AST and six for his career. pic.twitter.com/2VLSgJFAJo

— NBA (@NBA) March 31, 2024

Don't sleep on Mavericks superstar Luka Dončić, OKC's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo in that chase, however. Add it to the number of intriguing races around the NBA as the regular season winds to a close.

Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. expressed support for his brother, Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter, on Wednesday night amid an NBA investigation into betting irregularities involving Jontay Porter prop bets.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Michael Porter Jr. downplayed the likelihood of his brother being involved with the betting scandal in any way.

"I've known my brother my whole life," he said. "I know what type of dude he is and I know he's excited to play basketball and I highly doubt he would do anything to put that in jeopardy."

Michael Porter Jr. on the NBA investigation involving his brother, Jontay Porter: pic.twitter.com/PxOmoMjtNe

— Rachel Strand (@MileHighRachel) March 28, 2024

Per ESPN's David Purdum, Brian Windhorst and Adrian Wojnarowski, the NBA launched an investigation this week into the circumstances surrounding increased action on Jontay Porter prop bets for the Jan. 26 game against the Los Angeles Clippers and the March 20 game against the Sacramento Kings.

For both games, there was "increased betting interest" on the under props, and the unders hit each time.

Jontay Porter left the Jan. 26 game after playing just four minutes due to aggravation of an eye injury he suffered four days earlier agains the Memphis Grizzlies.

He also left the March 20 game after playing just three minutes due to an illness.

DraftKings Sportsbook announced that prop bets involving Porter were the "No. 1 moneymaker" in terms of NBA bets on the night of March 20.

Michael Porter Jr., who was the No. 14 overall pick by the Nuggets in the 2018 NBA draft and won a championship with the team last season, gave his thoughts on legalized betting and how it has impacted players:

"Yeah, especially the last few years you hear people in the crowd saying what they need you to score tonight or what they don't want you to score. Every night you're disappointing someone. You're disappointing people if you score too much because they may have bet on the under, and you're disappointing people if you didn't score enough.

"So, it's a part of the game now. I think that it's obviously a dangerous habit. It's a dangerous vice for people. You know, the love of money is the root of all evil. So, I think that even though it is a thing, we as players just have to accept that. We get paid a lot of money to play this game and I know these people, these fans, they want to make some money, as well.

"It's definitely something that has kind of taken over the sporting world—I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing."

"We as players just have to accept that."

Porter Jr. was asked if it is hard to not get involved when there is so much advertising regarding sports betting and gambling. pic.twitter.com/OPhgfuFhVB

— Rachel Strand (@MileHighRachel) March 28, 2024

While Michael Porter Jr. is a starter for the Nuggets and is playing under a five-year, $172.55 million contract, Jontay is more of a journeyman.

The 24-year-old played in 11 games for the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2020-21 season, and after spending time in the G League over the next few seasons, he finally got another NBA opportunity this year with the Raptors on a two-way contract.

In 26 games this season, including five starts, he is averaging 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 13.8 minutes per contest.

With the investigation into Jontay ongoing, he has sat out the Raptors' past three games due to personal reasons.

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray has pretty lofty goals for his career.

The 27-year-old explained that he works towards being the "best player ever" and that having steep aspirations is crucial for getting the most out of his abilities.

"Of course," Murray said, per Melissa Rohlin of Fox Sports. "And I strive to be the greatest. I want to be the best player ever. Obviously, if you don't shoot high, then you're never going to get there. I think (Nikola) Jokić is the greatest player right now. And I try to be a close second."

Murray has career averages of 17.4 points, 4.5 assists and 3.7 assists across seven seasons. He has notably improved on his early career numbers, as he has averaged more than 20 points in each of his last three seasons.

He has never been named an All-Star, but his solid regular-season play surely makes a case. His postseason play is even more notable.

He was a major contributor during the Nuggets' championship run in 2023, averaging 26.1 points, 7.1 assists and 5.7 rebounds across 20 games. He, alongside Jokić, makes the Nuggets a force to be reckoned with and a threat to repeat as champions in 2023-24.

Denver is currently 45-20 and is tied for first place in the Western Conference with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Chris Haynes of TNT Sports reported during Thursday's Inside the NBA that the Denver Nuggets will skip their scheduled trip to the White House on March 18 and instead will focus on a matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves the next night.

Sources: With Denver Nuggets prioritizing No. 1 seed and a pivotal matchup at Minnesota upcoming, I explain on @NBAonTNT why the champs have elected not to visit The White House. pic.twitter.com/cjc4fwGE0O

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) March 8, 2024

The team was supposed to be celebrating its 2022-23 title with the customary trip to the White House. Instead, it will spend a bit more time preparing for the current top seed in the Western Conference.

The Nuggets (42-20) are third in the West standings but just one game behind the Timberwolves (43-19).

The Nuggets lost the first matchup with the Timberwolves this season but play them three more times. With such a tight race in the West, those games could very well decide the top seed or give one of the two contenders the tiebreaker.

The Nuggets were initially scheduled to visit the White House in January when they were in Washington D.C. to face the Washington Wizards, but scheduling issues on the White House's end nixed the event.

Skipping the White House visit became the norm during the presidency of Donald Trump, given his regressive stances on player activism and freedom of speech. That dated back to Colin Kaepernick's decision to take a knee in protest of police brutality and racial discrimination back in 2016 and Trump's inflammatory response to it.

But the practice became commonplace again once Biden took office, and both the Milwaukee Bucks and Golden State Warriors made visits after their NBA titles.

The Nuggets have begun to resemble the team that won the championship last season, going 6-1 since the All-Star break. While the Eastern Conference is all about the NBA-leading Boston Celtics (48-13) at the moment, the West has four teams within 2.5 games of one another atop the conference and six teams within four games of one another battling for the last two automatic playoff berths.

It promises to be an exciting finish to the season out West as teams jockey for playoff positioning. The Nuggets aren't taking any chances in the effort to win the top seed, even if it means snubbing the President of the United States.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James recognizes the level that Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić is operating on.

Following the Lakers 124-114 loss to the Nuggets Saturday night, James was asked about finding an answer for the dynamic center, and candidly confirmed that there was no way to stop him.

LeBron on if there's an answer for Nikola Jokic right now: "No. There is none."

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) March 3, 2024

Jokić played 39 minutes and scored 35 points with 10 rebounds and seven assists. He is averaging 25.8 points, 12.3 rebounds and 9.3 assists in 58 games in 2023-24 and has helped Denver get to a 42-19 start to the season.

James had 26 points in 37 minutes as the Lakers fell to 33-29 on the season. Los Angeles notably fell to Denver in the Western Conference Finals in 2022-23 season and getting over the hump is something that could be far away if Jokić continues to dominate.

This was the final regular season meeting between the two teams and Denver took all three matchups. The Nuggets currently sit at third in the Western Conference while the Lakers are 10th.

The Denver Nuggets aren't messing around.

The Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat 103-97 on Thursday night in a rematch of the 2023 NBA Finals at Ball Arena in what was yet another impressive performance from MVP frontrunner Nikola Jokić.

Jokić notched 18 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, one steal and two blocks to help propel the Nuggets to victory and improve to 41-19 on the season.

Michael Porter Jr. also stepped up and put together one of his best games of the season after Jamal Murray was ruled out of the matchup with an ankle injury. He posted 30 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks.

After the win, NBA fans were quick hail the Nuggets as NBA title favorites once again despite the likes of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves sitting above them in the standings:

The Nuggets are winning the 2024 NBA Finals and Jokic is collecting his 3rd MVP

— Felipe Alvarez (@FelipeFromMiami) March 1, 2024

*places a Nuggets NBA finals winner bet*

— Trev (@thats_t__) March 1, 2024

Nuggets is going to get their second championship. This team is going to cruise thru everybody & jokic is 3-Time MVP… It’s like watching the Chiefs in the playoffs all over again.. the outcome is no surprise😂 pic.twitter.com/LxNrdLoel2

— Chestfullcards (@Chestfullcards) March 1, 2024

Denver nuggets is like the Kansas City chiefs you know they gone win the championship

— b1gjuan (@b1gjuan) March 1, 2024

Time to repeat finals

— Depression sports (@bigsadsports) March 1, 2024

The Nuggets can repeat if they’re healthy.

— MADE YOU LOOK (@Oh_Ya_C_Rob) March 1, 2024

No beating Nuggets. They might repeat. They are elite.

— brandon lee johnson (@Bigb3196) March 1, 2024

Jokić continues to impress as the Nuggets aim to defend their title. He entered Thursday's game averaging 25.9 points, 12.3 rebounds and 9.3 assists in 57 games while shooting 58.3 percent from the floor and 35.1 percent from deep.

The Nuggets will arguably face a tougher challenge in the Western Conference playoffs this season than during the 2023 postseason. The standings are tight, and the Thunder, Timberwolves and Los Angeles Clippers look like legitimate threats to make a run to the Finals.

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray left the team's contest against the Miami Heat on Thursday after suffering a right ankle sprain and was later declared out.

Jamal Murray is being ruled out for the rest of the game with a right ankle sprain. https://t.co/DQBHZScLNz

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) March 1, 2024

Murray drove to the basket in the second quarter and jumped to pass the ball, landing awkwardly after stepping on teammate Aaron Gordon's foot. The exact severity of his ankle sprain and his status moving forward are both currently unknown.

Prior to his exit, Murray recorded six points and three assists on 2-6 shooting in 14 minutes of action.

The 27-year-old has already been ruled out of 16 games this season, including a stretch of 11 consecutive missed appearances starting on Nov. 6 due to a hamstring injury. The Nuggets have struggled when Murray has been sidelined, owning a record of just 9-7 without him compared to the team's overall mark of 40-19.

He was already dealing with bilateral tibia inflammation, categorized as shin splints, that caused him to miss a couple of games earlier in the month of February. Nuggets head coach Michael Malone told reporters on Feb. 23 that "every time he plays it's gonna be an issue," according to John Hollinger of The Athletic.

Denver will be hoping that Murray's injury isn't serious, as he's missed playoff appearances by the team in 2021 and 2022 due to a torn ACL that he suffered in April 2021.

The former first-round pick continued to excel in his 43 starts before Thursday's matchup with Miami, averaging 20.9 points and 6.4 assists per game while shooting 48 percent from the field and 42 percent from behind the arc.

If Murray is forced to miss time, backup point guard Reggie Jackson will likely see an increased role. The veteran floor general has recorded 10.6 points and 3.9 assists each night in 59 appearances, shooting 36.3 percent from three-point range.

Nikola Jokić made history Sunday night during the Denver Nuggets' 119-103 victory over the Golden State Warriors.

With 32 points, 16 assists and 16 rebounds, Jokić passed Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James for the fourth-most career triple-doubles in NBA history.

He trails only Russell Westbrook, Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson for the all-time lead.

Jokić has achieved the feat 139 times in 719 regular-season and playoff contests, while James has 138 triple-doubles in 1,753 total games.

The Nuggets star now needs 15 more triple-doubles to move past Magic Johnson for third on the NBA's list of all-time leaders.

Jokic passes LeBron for the fourth-most career triple-doubles (including playoffs) 📈 pic.twitter.com/ZDZg3cjd6O

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 26, 2024

Sunday's victory also marked the third time Jokić has totaled at least 30 points, 15 assists and 15 rebounds in a game, passing Wilt Chamberlain (two) for the second-most 30/15/15 outings in league history.

Tonight marks the third game of Nikola Jokic’s career where he's totaled 30+ PTS, 15+ AST, and 15+ REB, passing Wilt Chamberlain (2) and trailing Oscar Robertson (11) for second-most such games all-time. pic.twitter.com/jDHaR1YigZ

— NBA History (@NBAHistory) February 26, 2024

This is the third straight game in which Jokić has recorded a triple-double, with all three happening in just three quarters.

It's also the second time he's made history with his stat line this week.

After Jokić recorded 21 points, 19 rebounds and 15 assists during a win over the Washington Wizards Thursday, he has now recorded a triple-double against every team in the NBA. Only James and Russell Westbrook can say the same.

In typical fashion, Nikola Jokić put on a huge performance, notching a triple-double to lead the Denver Nuggets to a 119-103 win over the Golden State Warriors on Sunday.

Jokić put up 32 points, 16 rebounds and 16 assists, also notching four steals on the night to get past Stephen Curry and a Warriors team that has been hot recently. Denver's defense did a solid job against Curry, limiting him to 20 points on a shaky 6-of-19 shooting.

Jokić's co-star, Jamal Murray, also had a big night, posting 27 points and hitting a dagger late in the fourth quarter to put the Nuggets up big.

Jokić's stat line was impressive, but one that fans have gotten used to this season. With his numbers, he became the first player in NBA history to record 14+ rebounds and 14+ assists in three straight games. It's hard to imagine that feat will be reached anytime soon, unless Jokić is the one to do it.

Another big night from the two-time MVP had fans in awe of what Jokić does on a nightly basis.

Joker with the footwork and smooth spin inside 🌀

DEN-GSW on ESPN pic.twitter.com/IQntjDa62H

— NBA (@NBA) February 26, 2024

Joker with another long pass 📏 pic.twitter.com/tTEQCHzTsy

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) February 26, 2024

3 straight Triple Doubles for Jokic

ALL COMPLETED IN 3 QUARTERS OR LESS pic.twitter.com/Er49FTtK5v

— Nuggets Lead (@NuggetsLead) February 26, 2024

Nikola Jokic just recorded his 123rd career regular season triple-double, the 4th most in NBA history. He's 15 triple-doubles behind Magic Johnson for 3rd on the NBA's all-time leaderboard.

— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) February 26, 2024

Nikola Jokic’s last three game:

- 32 points, 16 rebounds, 16 assists
- 21 points, 19 rebounds, 15 assists
- 29 points, 15 rebounds, 14 assists

— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) February 26, 2024

Jokic gets rebounds and assists in one motion. 😂

Out there looking like a quarterback for real.

— Jeremy Nicolls (@JeremyNicolls) February 26, 2024

Nikola Jokic in 23 minutes:

22 points
11 rebounds
10 assists
50% FG

Oh yeah, and 0 TURNOVERS…. Unfair 🤯 pic.twitter.com/rPD1XEJT22

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 26, 2024

Nikola Jokic passes LeBron James for the 4th-most career triple-doubles (including playoffs) via @ESPNStatsInfo pic.twitter.com/NDLlkGPTAm

— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) February 26, 2024

Jokic tonight:

32 PTS
16 REB
16 AST
4 STL

1st player in NBA history to reach those numbers in a game. https://t.co/QXPJr3JfC1

— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 26, 2024

Jokic's doing some disgusting things to the Warriors

— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) February 26, 2024

Nikola Jokic is the 2nd player with 30 points, 15 rebounds, 15 assists and 4 steals in a game since steals became official in 1973-74. He joins Magic Johnson, who did this in 1981 against the Nuggets in OT. @ESPNStatsInfo

— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) February 26, 2024

Jokic is the best player n the world
Jokic and Murray the best duo
Gordon is the cheat code
Good luck on beating Denver 4 times 👊

— Ricky G (@jrichardgoodman) February 26, 2024

Zero talk about the Warriors putting Nikola Jokic in the pick-and-roll tonight. Instead, Jokic had four steals and played the passing lanes perfectly.

— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) February 26, 2024

Nikola Jokic tonight:

32 Points
16 Rebounds
16 Assists
4 Steals
54% FG

Best in the world. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/sOdjHm8It4

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 26, 2024

Tonight marks the third game of Nikola Jokic’s career where he's totaled 30+ PTS, 15+ AST, and 15+ REB, passing Wilt Chamberlain (2) and trailing Oscar Robertson (11) for second-most such games all-time. pic.twitter.com/jDHaR1YigZ

— NBA History (@NBAHistory) February 26, 2024

Once again on a National Televised game… Jokic and Murray stood on business and showed the world why they’re still the best duo in basketball! Carry the hell on…

— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) February 26, 2024

With the win, the Nuggets improved to 39-19 on the season and sit in third place in the Western Conference. With plenty of the season left to be played, Denver has plenty of time to get hot and try to sneak into first place in the West.

More big games from Jokić will certainly help.

To Hall of Fame center Bill Walton, there is no better basketball player in the world than Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić.

"His celebration of life through basketball, his focus on the team … he's better than perfect. He's Nikola Jokic," Walton told Bennett Durando of the Denver Post. "He's the best player in the world. I watch a lot of Denver Nuggets basketball, and every time I watch, I just get a smile on my face. It's fantastic."

Walton, of course, is one of the best centers in NBA history, having won two NBA titles, an MVP award and a Sixth Man of the Year award. He also earned two All-Star selections over the course of his career, which was cut short due to injuries.

Jokić, who is in just his ninth season with the Nuggets, is likely bound for the Hall of Fame himself. The Serbian is a two-time MVP, six-time All-Star and an NBA champion. He is also the favorite to win this year's MVP award.

The 29-year-old is averaging 26.0 points, 12.2 rebounds and 9.1 assists in 55 games while shooting 58.4 percent from the floor and 35.2 percent from beyond the arc.

Walton has long raved about Jokić.

After the superstar helped the Nuggets win the 2023 NBA title, Walton defined what makes the big man such an elite player in a June interview with Bob Ryan of the Boston Globe:

I had the privilege of watching Pelé play soccer, Joe Montana play football, and Larry Bird play basketball. These guys saw something before it happened. Mozart, Beethoven, Einstein. They saw the future. Tony Hawk revolutionized the realm of the possible in skateboarding. And Jokic sees things before they happen. His decision-making is spectacular.

What it comes down to is that Jokic is just smarter than the other guys. That's what makes a champion.

Think of chess. Your move dictates the opponent's move. And with a successful move, you make the foe helpless. That's what Jokic does to the opposition.

Jokić is hoping to add to his legacy by winning another title this year, though the Nuggets face much stiffer competition in the Western Conference with the likes of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Clippers above them in the standings.