The Nuggets that Minnesotans have labeled an easy mark didn’t have this version of Peyton Watson two years ago. Or this version of Julian Strawther. Or Bruce Brown. Or Cam Johnson. Or Jonas Valanciunas. Or Tim Hardaway Jr.

After a bizarre final weekend of the regular season filled with plot twists, the Nuggets ended up with the matchup they were projected to land anyway for most of the last week.

Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets will face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the NBA playoffs, a fate sealed by their 128-118 win over the Spurs on Sunday night.

Jokic has played in 64 games and was listed as questionable with an injured right wrist.

This 2025-26 regular season was one of the Nuggets’ wildest rides in years. These were the highlights and lowlights.

Setting the stage for Game 82 between the Nuggets and Spurs, a fascinating regular-season finale with playoff matchup and MVP ballot implications.