SAN ANTONIO — Denver’s three-time Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic will take the court Sunday evening when the Nuggets face San Antonio in their season finale, marking his 65th appearance to meet NBA award requirements.
San Antonio All-Star Victor Wembanyama will be sidelined for the matchup after securing his eligibility threshold in his last outing.
The Serbian center has appeared in 64 contests this season and carried a questionable designation due to a right wrist injury.
The Nuggets must defeat San Antonio to claim the Western Conference’s third playoff position. Should Denver fall while the Los Angeles Lakers emerge victorious, the Nuggets would slip to fourth place as the Lakers claim third.
League regulations mandate that players participate in a minimum of 65 games to qualify for MVP, All-NBA Team, and Defensive Player of the Year recognition.
Jokic must log at least 15 minutes of playing time against the Spurs to meet the requirement.
NBA policy permits two exceptions where games lasting 15 to 19:59 minutes count toward the official total. Jokic has one such exception available.
“Yeah, he’ll play the first half,” Denver head coach David Adelman stated. “Then we’ll reconvene at halftime and see where he’s at, where the game’s at. It’s what the rules provide. So we’ll follow the rules.”
The center, who captured MVP honors in 2021, 2022 and 2024, has earned All-NBA Team selection in seven of his 11 professional seasons.
Wembanyama reached award qualification by competing in his 65th contest Friday during San Antonio’s 139-120 triumph over Dallas.
The French phenom participated in 64 regular-season contests plus the NBA Cup Final, which doesn’t affect regular-season records or statistics but counts as an official game appearance.
Wembanyama sustained a left rib injury and missed the second half of Monday’s 115-102 win against Philadelphia. He returned Friday to record 40 points and 13 rebounds across 26:13 of action versus Dallas.
He received a questionable listing for injury management purposes and was ruled out following San Antonio’s afternoon walkthrough session.
“Yeah, he’s doing well, but just a little sore and felt it was the appropriate decision,” San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson explained. “He was probably, to be honest, the closest call of the group, but just right in that kind of in between.”
Spurs guard Stephon Castle received an upgrade to available status after missing two games with left foot discomfort.
