Nikola Jokic scored 23 points in just 18 minutes as the Denver Nuggets beat the San Antonio Spurs 128-118 to secure the Western Conference’s third seed.
Jokic, returning from a knee injury, added eight rebounds to reach 65 games played and remain eligible for league awards.
The win pushed the Los Angeles Lakers into fourth despite their 131-107 victory over Utah, where 41-year-old LeBron James impressed with 18 points and six assists.
Denver will face Minnesota in the first round, while the Lakers host Houston.
