The Denver Nuggets are officially a top four seed in the Western Conference for the fourth straight year and the seventh time in the last eight seasons. The only time they missed a top four seed was when Jamal Murray missed the entire year and Michael Porter Jr. played just nine games in 2021-22.
Of course, Denver locked up that spot in the standings in roundabout fashion this year. Injuries, shaky clutch performances, and a difficult schedule disrupted Denver’s season. They fought through it though, and after winning their 11th straight game, the Nuggets are officially back in the top half of the West playoff picture and will host a playoff series on their home floor.
Tonight, the Nuggets defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder to get there. Neither team played their good starters, and the game was dominated by bench players having impressive performances in their stead.
Jonas Valanciunas led the way for the Nuggets with 23 points, 17 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks, controlling the paint throughout the evening and giving the Nuggets a major advantage in the middle of the floor.
“No matter who’s playing, who’s not…somebody’s not playing, other guy gotta step up and do it,” Valanciunas emphasized about Denver’s depth and approach to this game. “We just know our roles. That’s why we’re good, I guess.”
Valanciunas played the Jokic role tonight, and he played it well. The Thunder played Branden Carlson and Kenrich Williams at center, and Valanciunas took clear advantage there. Denver’s often gone small in those situations to counter opposing teams’ small ball, and David Adelman knows he can go to Valanciunas in those situations in the playoffs.
“Those are gonna be feel things… whatever matchup we draw,” Adelman said of the situational matchup. “It hasn’t changed anything in the sense of what I knew he could bring to the table.”
A similar sentiment can be used for Julian Strawther, who’s on the edge of the playoff rotation but likely on the outside looking in. He had a tremendous game with 22 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and a block. Strawther’s comfort level just continues to get better, despite the erratic usage and minutes from night to night.
“We all know in this room what he can do offensively,” Adelman emphasized. “He took a step in the right direction of getting better at the things he was already good at.”
“He’s taking steps defensively as well…got a couple steals tonight, deflections, that’s what we need from him.”
For his part, Strawther has been a professional, growing into the role the Nuggets have asked from him and likely being ready for more in the near future.
“Early on this year, there was literally no opportunity for me. And that’s just what it was,” Strawther lamented. “I’d be lying to you if I said it was easy.”
“I feel like over my 3 years, I think being ready and actually understanding what that means has finally kind of clicked for me.”
Strawther might get an opportunity in the playoffs this year. He might not. Whether it happens or not, Strawther’s a better player than he used to be, and the Nuggets can feel comfortable about going to him in specific situations when he can shine as a floor spacer and attacking closeouts.
The other big story from this game was David Roddy, who the Nuggets signed to a two-way deal after the trade deadline. He played in three games before this and was unremarkable, but the fourth year veteran made impressive plays in the second half on Friday night, accumulating 21 points, 2 steals and a block in his 26 minutes. It was the second highest scoring game of Roddy’s NBA career, and he made some impressive moves going to the rim in transition and in the halfcourt.
“David’s got an intensity about him…he’s a pro, man,” Adelman shared about Roddy’s breakout game. “You have a contract, you’re probably not gonna play. It’s very easy just to skirt the line a little bit… It’s not the way he’s approached it and that’s why he had success tonight.”
Roddy took advantage of the opportunity and deserves credit for that. He’s unlikely to be back with the Nuggets next year, but he showcased what he could do for the Nuggets and for other teams. That’s a valuable opportunity and a byproduct of resting the starters that soak up so many of the minutes on a nightly basis.
Now, the Nuggets have just one game to go. If they win, they’re the third seed and face the Minnesota Timberwolves. If they lose and the Los Angeles Lakers win, the Nuggets are the fourth seed and face the Houston Rockets.
Denver ensured tonight that they’re hosting the first round playoff series no matter what, but the resting of all starters was confusing with a potential top three seed up in the air. That’s an opportunity to stay on the opposite side of the bracket as the Thunder, who are clearly the best team in the league to me. The Nuggets can beat them in a series, but someone else doing so first would be the best case scenario for the Nuggets.
So, why the Nuggets left this game up to chance without the starters on the floor was confusing. It worked out in their favor anyway, and they might do the same thing against the San Antonio Spurs in the final game of the season on Sunday. Nikola Jokic should play to ensure he meets the 65-game All-NBA and MVP criteria, but there’s little reason for other Nuggets starters to play on Sunday if they didn’t play at all on Friday either.
Whatever happens, the Nuggets will be at the center of the Western Conference playoff drama on Sunday evening.