Home BASKETBALL NBA 2026 NBA Playoffs: Clinching Scenarios and Standings

2026 NBA Playoffs: Clinching Scenarios and Standings

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Nuggets edge Spurs 136-134 in overtime thriller led by Jokic

Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs lead the charge as teams jockey for position in the Eastern and Western Conference standings. Detroit Pistons hold 4.5-game lead over Boston Celtics with five games left. Jaime Jaquez Jr. leads Miami Heat to victory with 32 points off the bench.


Nikola Jokic scores 40 points as Denver Nuggets defeat San Antonio Spurs in overtime, halting Spurs' 11-game win streak...


Nikola Jokic led the Denver Nuggets to a thrilling 136-134 overtime win over Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, ending the Spurs' 11-game winning streak. Jokic, a three-time NBA MVP, scored 40 points, grabbed eight rebounds, dished out 13 assists, and blocked three shots.


The Nuggets' victory marked their eighth straight win, moving them closer to the Los Angeles Lakers for the third seed in the Western Conference. Wembanyama, a top MVP candidate, had a standout game with 34 points, 18 rebounds, seven assists, and five blocks, but it wasn't enough to secure the win for the Spurs.


Jokic made history, becoming the first center in NBA history to drop 40+ points and 10+ assists without a single turnover. The Nuggets' star player was on fire.


Meanwhile, MVP candidate Wembanyama was sensational for the Spurs, scoring 34 points with 18 rebounds, seven assists, and five blocks. San Antonio led for most of the game but couldn't hold off Denver's late push.


Aaron Gordon, fed by Jokic, threw down a dunk to tie it at 124-124 with 6.2 seconds left in regulation. Wembanyama's jumper as time expired clanged off the rim and they went to overtime.


In OT, Gordon's dunk in the opening minutes put Denver ahead for good, and they never looked back.Aaron Gordon, fed by Jokic, threw down a dunk to tie it at 124-124 with 6.2 seconds left in regulation.


Wembanyama's jumper as time expired clanged off the rim and they went to overtime.


 

In OT, Gordon's dunk in the opening minutes put Denver ahead for good, and they never looked back.


“It was indicative of what we can be as a group,” said Gordon, who finished with 15 points. He's talking about the Nuggets' gritty performance.


Jokic's crew showed playoff-level intensity, with Reggie Jackson scoring 17 points, and Jamal Murray dropping 15 points with 10 assists. The Nuggets are looking strong.


“We like the intensity,” Gordon said. “That's a really good ball club over there that plays really hard. So they brought it out of us.”


Two weeks out from the playoffs, Gordon said beating the West's second-placed Spurs was a big confidence booster for the Nuggets


“It's big,” he said. “I just want us to be ready when the time comes. This was a good step in that direction.”


Denver's Johnson got the Nuggets off to a hot start with a three-pointer, but Devin Vassell quickly tied it for San Antonio. From there, the Spurs took control, leading 72-65 at halftime.


Things got heated late in Q1 when Wembanyama accidentally caught Jokic in the face, but no foul was called. Nuggets coach David Adelman and Aaron Gordon weren't having it, though - they each got techs, and a clear-path foul was called on Gordon.


The Spurs got three free throws despite Jokic being the one fouled. The Nuggets were fuming.


Denver narrowed the gap to one with Jokic's layup early in Q3, trailing by four heading into the fourth.


San Antonio pushed their lead to 11 with Wembanyama's dunk (9:08 left), but the Nuggets fought back, briefly taking a one-point lead. They ended regulation tied, sending it to OT.


Detroit Pistons Clinch Eastern Conference Top Seed with 116-93 Win over 76ers.

The Detroit Pistons secured the top spot in the Eastern Conference with a dominant 116-93 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. Tobias Harris led the charge with 19 points, while Daniss Jenkins contributed 16 points and 14 assists. Jalen Duren also had a solid game, scoring 16 points with seven rebounds.


This win marks the Pistons' first Eastern Conference top seed since 2007, and they'll have home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. The team has been impressive without Cade Cunningham, going 8-2 in his absence.


Tobias Harris scored 19 points, while Jalen Duren and Daniss Jenkins added 16 points apiece to secure the top seed for Detroit. The Pistons will have home-court advantage throughout the East playoffs for the first time since 2007.




Jenkins also dished out 14 assists. The team has been killing it without Cade Cunningham, going 8-2 since he got sidelined with a collapsed lung.


“The way this group has grown together as quickly as it has, it is special,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “But we've got more food to eat. We'll take tonight, enjoy this, but tomorrow we'll get back to work.


Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 23 points, but it wasn't enough as they fell behind the Raptors for sixth place in the East. Joel Embiid sat out the second night of a back-to-back, and Philly missed a chance to secure a playoff spot.


The Miami Heat, currently 10th in the East, picked up a 152-136 win over the Washington Wizards to boost their play-in position. Jaime Jaquez Jr. led the charge off the bench with 32 points.


Kel'el Ware was a beast, adding 24 points, 19 rebounds, and eight blocks. Seven Heat players scored in double digits - they're cooking.




Bam Adebayo was locked down after dropping 83 points in the last game, but still managed 14 points. Will Riley led the Wizards with 31 points, but it wasn't enough - Miami dominated after the first quarter. Eight Wizards players scored in double digits, but the Heat's depth proved too much.







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