Nuggets Clinch Playoff Spot, Face Jazz in Final Matchup

Denver looks to extend win streak against struggling Utah squad

Apr. 1, 2026 at 8:25am

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The Denver Nuggets have clinched their eighth straight playoff appearance and look to extend their winning streak to seven games when they visit the Utah Jazz on Wednesday. The Nuggets have won nine straight against the Jazz and can complete a season sweep with a victory. Utah is winding down another 50-loss campaign and is focused more on player development than results at this point.

Why it matters

The Nuggets are jockeying for playoff position in the Western Conference, while the Jazz are playing out the string in another rebuilding season. This matchup features a stark contrast between a team peaking at the right time and one looking to the future.

The details

The Nuggets defeated the Jazz 135-129 on Friday, rallying from a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit. Nikola Jokic had a triple-double with 33 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists, while Jamal Murray scored 31 points. For the Jazz, Cody Williams has been a bright spot, averaging over 23 points per game in his last three outings, while fellow second-year pro Kyle Filipowski has also been productive.

  • The Nuggets clinched their playoff spot on Tuesday when the Phoenix Suns lost.
  • Denver defeated Utah 135-129 last Friday.

The players

Nikola Jokic

The Nuggets' star center who recorded a triple-double in the last meeting with the Jazz.

Jamal Murray

Denver's starting point guard who scored 31 points in the win over Utah.

Cody Williams

A second-year pro for the Jazz who has averaged over 23 points per game in his last three outings.

Kyle Filipowski

Another second-year player for the Jazz who has been productive, averaging 23.7 points and 9.0 rebounds over his last three games.

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What they’re saying

“'It's just been so funny that this year has been like that. It's never a guard and a forward, or a guard and a center. It's like, it's just the whole (position) group goes out.'”

— David Adelman, Nuggets Head Coach

“'Cody is not bombing away from 3, and it's helped him. ... Cody works on his 3-point shooting but this year, we've seen him become a far more forceful driver and a better runner in transition.'”

— Will Hardy, Jazz Head Coach

“'With Kyle, it's always going to be about the mixture. We can overcorrect and go too far, and if he starts shooting too many (3-point attempts), then we're taking away those other things. But the threat of his 3-point shooting will open up a lot of his other assets.'”

— Will Hardy, Jazz Head Coach

What’s next

The Nuggets will look to complete the season sweep of the Jazz on Wednesday, while Utah continues its focus on player development with an eye toward the future.

The takeaway

This matchup highlights the stark contrast between a Nuggets team peaking at the right time and a Jazz squad in the midst of a rebuilding process. Denver's playoff-bound squad will look to continue its dominance over Utah, while the Jazz aim to build momentum for next season through the continued growth of their young core.