DENVER (KDVR) — The Denver Nuggets officially announced the team clinched a playoff spot before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center on Monday night.
After the loss Monday night, the Nuggets are 43-22 and in the third place spot in the Western Conference and four games behind the conference-leading Utah Jazz.
Anthony Davis scored 25 points and had key plays on both ends of the floor in the final minute as the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers snapped a three-game losing streak with a 93-89 victory over the Nuggets.
The Lakers led by 14 points midway through the fourth quarter before the Nuggets got within 89-87 with a late rally.
Davis hit a jumper with 41.8 seconds remaining to give the Lakers a 91-87 lead.
Nikola Jokic hit a pair of free throws to cut it in half but Talen Horton-Tucker though hit a reverse layup with 15.1 seconds left to push the advantage up to four.
After a Denver timeout, Davis blocked Facundo Campazzo’s 3-point attempt to end any hopes of a Nuggets’ comeback and end their five-game winning streak.
With Jamal Murray out indefinitely, the team is leaning on Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr. to take them the distance.