Nuggets rest most regulars again ahead of finale, Jokic still uncertain
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The Denver Nuggets will hold out nearly their entire rotation for the second consecutive game when they face the San Antonio Spurs in Sunday’s regular-season finale.
Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic is the lone exception on the injury report. He is listed as questionable and must log at least 15 minutes to remain eligible for postseason awards.
Head coach Mike Malone’s club enters the last day of the schedule at 53-28, third in the Western Conference. A loss to San Antonio, coupled with a Los Angeles Lakers victory over the Utah Jazz, would drop Denver to the No. 4 seed because the Lakers (52-29) own the head-to-head tiebreaker after an overtime win last month.
Already ruled out for Denver are Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Cameron Johnson, Christian Braun, Tim Hardaway Jr., Peyton Watson and Spencer Jones. Murray, Gordon, Johnson and Braun sat out Friday’s 127-107 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder alongside Jokic; Hardaway played in that game but will rest Sunday. Watson and Jones remain sidelined by right hamstring strains.
San Antonio, locked into the West’s No. 2 position, listed Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell as questionable. Wembanyama met the postseason-award participation threshold by appearing Friday.
The standings could shift depending on Sunday’s results. If Denver stays third, it will open the playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves. A slide to fourth would set up a first-round meeting with the Houston Rockets.
Source: ESPN
