Denver Nuggets beat Memphis Grizzlies to finish on second spot in Western Conference

To end their regular season Denver Nuggets defeated Memphis Grizzlies by 126-111 as Jamal Murray scored 21 points and his teammate Nikola Jokic scored 15 points and 15 points as they ended in second place in Western Conference on Sunday.

In the current season, the Denver Nuggets have won 57 games and lost 25 games as they finish below Oklahoma City Thunder who claim the top position in the Western Conference and have tied for head-to-head record. Minnesota's defeat to Phoenix moved the Timberwolves to third place, one game behind Denver.

While Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone stated that the key to tying the team record was "not being satisfied with last year." As per AP News, Michael Malone said, “To tie the franchise record for wins in a season is outstanding, especially on the heels of winning a championship.” “That’s been the mantra all year long. Not being satisfied.”

However, going into the game Denver, Minnesota, and Oklahoma City were tied. It was the first time a logjam had formed on the season's last day, with three teams vying for the No. 1 slot. The Thunder clinched the top place after defeating Dallas. The Nuggets will face either the New Orleans Pelicans or the Los Angeles Lakers in their first-round playoff matchup. On Tuesday night, the Pelicans will host the Lakers in a play-in game.

Injury woes for Memphis Grizzlies

For Memphis Grizzlies GG Jackson took the charge as he scored 44 points making his career-high. His teammate Jake LaRavia ended up scoring 29 points as the Memphis Grizzlies have won 50 wins and 32 defeats as they are placed 5th in the Western Conference. 

Memphis' season was hampered by injuries that sidelined many of its top players for prolonged periods. The Grizzlies dressed only eight players against Denver, with the majority of them on two-way and 10-day contracts. Memphis was the Western Conference's No. 2 seed last season.