Nuggets vs. Spurs Season Finale Has Critical Playoff Implications

The Denver Nuggets are traveling to Texas to face the San Antonio Spurs for a marquee season finale matchup on Sunday, and the result of this game could certainly shake things up.

While the Spurs have already locked up their position as the second seed in the Western Conference playoffs, they have plenty to play for on Sunday. The Nuggets, on the other hand, can stand pat in third place with a win, but with a loss, could potentially move to fourth. Here is everything that is at stake for Sunday's season finale:

Denver's first-round matchup

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards defends Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic — Mar 12, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) defends Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) in the second half at Ball Arena. | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Luckily for Denver, regardless of what happens on Sunday, they will have home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. However, the result could impact their first-round opponent.

With a win on Sunday, the Nuggets secure the third seed and will face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round. The Nuggets won their season series 3-1, but were knocked out by Minnesota in the second round of the 2024 playoffs, when they were coming off their first-ever championship in 2023.

With a loss on Sunday and a Los Angeles Lakers win over the Utah Jazz, the Nuggets would fall to the fourth seed and face the Houston Rockets in the first round. The Nuggets also beat the Rockets 3-1 in their season series, but who would want to face Kevin Durant and a loaded Rockets team in the first round of the playoffs?

Either way, the Nuggets would be favored in their first-round matchup, and their decision to rest four starters for Sunday's season finale suggests they do not care who they face between the Timberwolves or Rockets.

San Antonio's path to WCF

Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic — Jan 4, 2025; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) battle for position during an inbound pass in the second half at Frost Bank Center. | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Despite the Spurs already locking up the second seed, they are not resting their starting lineup like the Nuggets are. While they have listed Victor Wembanyama as questionable, we can expect the Spurs to do what they can to win Sunday's matchup.

If the Spurs can force the Nuggets to the fourth seed, they would avoid that potential second-round matchup. With the Oklahoma City Thunder in first place and the Nuggets potentially in fourth, the two powerhouses would have to play each other for a trip to the Western Conference Finals. If that happens, the Spurs would have to beat either the Los Angeles Lakers or the Minnesota Timberwolves, which are much more favorable matchups for them.

Seeds still to be determined entering the regular-season finale Sunday:

West: Nos. 3 and 4; Nos. 8 and 9
East: Nos. 5–10

Complete possibilities ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/yK4Yhixaiw
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 11, 2026

While this is critical for the Spurs, it does not matter as much for the Nuggets. Either way, the Nuggets will have to go through both Oklahoma City and San Antonio en route to the NBA Finals, and the order in which they do so does not make much of a difference. The Spurs have the power to control their path to the Western Conference Finals, which is huge for them.

For the Nuggets, who seem indifferent about their first-round matchup, Sunday's matchup does not have much of an impact. For the Spurs, though, who should be trying to avoid a second-round battle with the Nuggets, will be doing what they can to walk out of the finale with a win.

The Nuggets and Spurs are set to tip off at 6:30 p.m. MT on ESPN in San Antonio.

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