Nuggets Look to Clinch Playoff Spot Against Jazz

Denver aims for 7th straight win as Utah focuses on development

Apr. 1, 2026 at 12:51am

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The Denver Nuggets, sitting in 4th place in the Western Conference, are on the verge of clinching their 8th straight playoff berth as they visit the struggling Utah Jazz on Wednesday. The Nuggets have won 9 straight against the Jazz and can complete a season sweep with a victory. While Denver is pushing for playoff positioning, Utah is in the midst of its 3rd straight 50-loss campaign and is focused more on player development than results.

Why it matters

The Nuggets' playoff push is significant as they aim to continue their streak of postseason appearances, while the Jazz's focus on the future reflects the team's struggles and desire to build towards better days ahead.

The details

The Nuggets (48-28) can clinch their playoff spot on Tuesday if the Phoenix Suns lose, or by beating the Jazz on Wednesday. Denver has won 6 straight games and defeated Utah 135-129 on Friday, overcoming a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit. Nuggets stars Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray led the way in that victory. The Jazz (21-55) have lost 6 straight and 18 of 21 games, with young players like Cody Williams and Kyle Filipowski getting increased opportunities as the team looks to the future.

  • The Nuggets can clinch a playoff spot on Tuesday if the Suns lose.
  • Denver can clinch its playoff berth by beating the Jazz on Wednesday.
  • The Nuggets defeated the Jazz 135-129 on Friday, March 31.

The players

Nikola Jokic

The Nuggets' star center who had 33 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists in the previous win over the Jazz.

Jamal Murray

Denver's star guard who scored 31 points and dished out 14 assists in the Nuggets' victory over the Jazz.

Cody Williams

A second-year Jazz player who has averaged 23.7 points and 9.0 rebounds over the past 3 games, focusing more on 2-point shots.

Kyle Filipowski

Another second-year Jazz player who has averaged 23.7 points and 9.0 rebounds over the past 3 games, shooting 65.1% from the field.

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What they’re saying

“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, Utah 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, Utah Jazz Head Coach

What’s next

If the Nuggets clinch a playoff spot on Tuesday, their focus will shift to securing the best possible seeding in the Western Conference playoffs. For the Jazz, the final weeks of the season will be about continued player development and evaluation as they look towards the offseason and the 2023-24 campaign.

The takeaway

The Nuggets' push for the playoffs and the Jazz's focus on the future reflect the vastly different stages these two teams are in. While Denver is aiming to extend its postseason streak, Utah is in rebuilding mode and using this season to give its young players valuable experience and opportunities.