The Denver Nuggets secured homecourt advantage for the first round of the playoffs with a commanding 126-111 victory over the Houston Rockets in Sunday’s regular season finale. Michael Porter Jr. led a balanced attack with 19 points as Denver (50-32) clinched the Western Conference’s No. 4 seed.
Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon each added 18 points for the Nuggets, who led by as many as 33 points before both teams emptied their benches. The three-time MVP Jokic grabbed seven rebounds and dished seven assists.
Denver took control with a 10-2 third-quarter run that pushed their lead to 86-63.
The Rockets (52-30), locked into the No. 2 seed, rested several key players in the second half. Amen Thompson and Fred VanVleet shared team-high honors with 15 points apiece for Houston, who finished with their first winning season since 2020.
Russell Westbrook provided 17 points off Denver’s bench, while Jamal Murray chipped in 16. The Nuggets enter the postseason having won three straight after a turbulent final week that saw their coaching change.
With the victory, Denver earns homecourt advantage against the LA Clippers. The Rockets will await the winner of the play-in tournament’s 7/8 game.
