An NBA playoff matchup was locked in, as was a pair of play-in tournament berths, as we recap all of Wednesday's action in today's edition of The Morning Dunk.
Nuggets' Fate For No. 1 Seed In Own Hands
The reigning champions now have full control over whether or not they end up with the first overall seed in the Western Conference.
Runaway Most Valuable Player favorite Nikola Jokic scored 40 or more points for the 20th time in his career, finishing with 41 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists as the Denver Nuggets prevailed 116-107 over the Minnesota Timberwolves in front of a sellout crowd at Ball Arena.
This has been an absolute masterclass from Nikola Jokić against Rudy Gobert pic.twitter.com/WUYHi8JbLx
— Matt Brooks (@MattBrooksNBA) April 11, 2024
The two sides were locked with identical 55-24 records SU prior to tip-off.
Now holding the tiebreaker over both Minnesota and the Oklahoma City Thunder, in order for Denver to lock up the No. 1 seed, all it has to do is win out its remaining two games against the San Antonio Spurs on Friday and then the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday.
Mavericks' Win Locks Up Postseason Rematch With Clippers
The Dallas Mavericks will get another crack at an old foe following their 111-92 victory over the Miami Heat on Tuesday.
The backcourt tandem of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving combined to score 54 points, while Daniel Gafford went a perfect 6-of-6 from the field to help Dallas lock up the Southwest Division crown for the first time since 2021.
Luka Doncic is simply UNFAIR 💯pic.twitter.com/6Aw1mu7e0C
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 11, 2024
As a result of this win, the Mavericks have ensured that the No. 4 vs. No. 5 matchup in the West will be them taking on the Los Angeles Clippers for the third time in five years, with Los Angeles prevailing in the first round in both 2020 and 2021.
In order for Dallas to clinch the No. 4 seed and home-court advantage, it will need to win out its remaining games while Los Angeles loses out.
Doncic has played 28 postseason games in his young career, 13 of which have come against the Clippers.
Suns Ensure Warriors, Lakers To Compete In Play-In Tournament
If the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers have any hope of qualifying for the playoffs, they'll first have to battle their way through the play-in tournament which commences on April 16.
They can thank the Phoenix Suns for that, as their 124-108 win over a Clippers squad missing Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and James Harden sealed their fates.
Kevin Durant had 37 points for the Suns, while Bones Hyland led the Clippers with a career-high 37 points of his own.
Bones Hyland was on a mission to get 40. Peep Tye Lue reaction tho 😭 pic.twitter.com/JlJtad8IrZ
— clips🛸 (@ClawWRLD) April 11, 2024
Los Angeles could have secured the No. 4 seed had it defeated the Suns.
