Nuggets' Jokic Preps for Playoffs After Historic Season

NBA MVP caps off dominant regular-season campaign as Denver heads to postseason

Apr. 17, 2026 at 8:28am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting depicting Nikola Jokic's basketball moves and celebrations, with sharp geometric planes in the Nuggets' team colors swirling across the canvas in an abstract, cubist style.Nuggets star Nikola Jokic's unique playing style and celebratory antics have made him a must-watch NBA attraction as Denver heads to the playoffs.Denver Today

Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic is gearing up for the NBA playoffs after a historic individual season that saw him lead Denver to another division title. The two-time MVP is known for his unique celebrations, including jumping into pools after big wins.

Why it matters

Jokic's continued excellence has kept the Nuggets among the Western Conference elite, making them a perennial threat to reach the NBA Finals. His unique playing style and off-court personality have also made him one of the league's most popular and recognizable stars.

The details

Jokic, the two-time NBA MVP, is coming off another dominant regular season in which he averaged a career-high 27.1 points per game to go along with 13.8 rebounds and 7.9 assists. His all-around brilliance powered the Nuggets to the Northwest Division title and the #3 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

  • The Nuggets clinched a playoff berth on April 5, 2026.
  • Denver's first playoff game is scheduled for April 16, 2026.

The players

Nikola Jokic

The Nuggets' star center and two-time NBA MVP, known for his unique playing style and celebratory antics.

Denver Nuggets

The NBA team based in Denver, Colorado that has been a perennial playoff contender led by Jokic's historic individual performances.

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What they’re saying

“Nikola just keeps getting better every year. He's the engine that makes our team go, and we're excited to see what he can do in the playoffs.”

— Michael Malone, Head Coach, Denver Nuggets

What’s next

The Nuggets will open their first-round playoff series on April 16, 2026, facing the winner of the play-in tournament.

The takeaway

Jokic's historic individual season has the Nuggets primed for another deep playoff run, as the two-time MVP looks to cement his legacy by leading Denver to its first NBA championship.