The Denver Nuggets became the first team in the Western Conference to book its ticket to the 2023 NBA playoffs.
The West leaders put an end to their four-game losing skid after rallying past the Detroit Pistons on the road on Thursday night (119-100). Hence, they advanced to the postseason, while clinching the title in the Northwest Division.
First to clinch in the West ☑️
Northwest Division Title ☑️WE’RE IN pic.twitter.com/1P8DNsFhh5
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) March 17, 2023
“This has to be a building block,” Denver head coach Michael Malone said afterwards. “I told our team, it’s a good win. Clinched a playoff spot. Won your division. That’s great.
Let this be the start of something special. We lost four in a row, lowest of the low for us during this season. Now, let’s get back to playing and go on a run.”
The Nuggets have won the division for the third time in five seasons, and they have finished in second place the other two years.
Denver leads the way in the West standings with a 47-23 record, 4.5 games ahead of second-placed Sacramento Kings, who are at 42-27.