Spurs Drop Regular Season Finale to Nuggets

San Antonio rests starters, looks ahead to playoffs after securing postseason berth

Apr. 13, 2026 at 4:18am

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The San Antonio Spurs lost their regular season finale to the Denver Nuggets 128-118, but the result was largely inconsequential as the Spurs had already secured their playoff positioning. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson rested his starters, with De'Aaron Fox leading the team in scoring with 24 points. Rookie forward Carter Bryant had a highlight-reel dunk over Nuggets star Nikola Jokić. The Spurs finished the regular season with 62 wins, the third-most in franchise history, and are now preparing for their first playoff appearance since 2019.

Why it matters

The Spurs' regular season finale was a low-stakes affair, as the team had already clinched a playoff spot and was focused on resting players ahead of the postseason. However, the game still provided an opportunity for young players like Carter Bryant to make an impression and build momentum heading into the playoffs.

The details

The Spurs rested their starters, including leading scorer De'Aaron Fox, who still managed 24 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Rookie forward Carter Bryant had a highlight-reel dunk over Nuggets star Nikola Jokić and finished with 13 points. The Nuggets were led by Julian Strawther's 25 points, while Jokić played only the first half to secure his end-of-season award eligibility.

  • The Spurs' regular season finale was played on Sunday, April 12, 2026.
  • The Spurs learned of their first-round playoff opponent 30 minutes after the game, set to face the winner of the Phoenix Suns-Portland Trail Blazers Play-In Game on Sunday, April 19 at 8 p.m. Central.

The players

Mitch Johnson

The head coach of the San Antonio Spurs.

De'Aaron Fox

The Spurs' leading scorer, who had 24 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists in the regular season finale.

Carter Bryant

A rookie forward for the Spurs who had a highlight-reel dunk over Nikola Jokić and finished with 13 points.

Nikola Jokić

The star center for the Denver Nuggets, who played only the first half to secure his end-of-season award eligibility.

Julian Strawther

The leading scorer for the Denver Nuggets with 25 points.

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What they’re saying

“We weren't going to play anybody 40 minutes. We weren't going to chase a game ... (we) just tried to play to the best of our abilities.”

— Mitch Johnson, Spurs head coach

“As much as it would've been nice to get this last win, that's a helluva year. A lot of people don't get 60 wins in a singular season over their whole career.”

— Carter Bryant, Spurs rookie forward

“He was screaming my name. He almost gave himself away.”

— Stephon Castle, Spurs guard

What’s next

The Spurs will face the winner of the Phoenix Suns-Portland Trail Blazers Play-In Game in the first round of the playoffs on Sunday, April 19 at 8 p.m. Central.

The takeaway

The Spurs' regular season finale was a low-stakes affair, but it provided an opportunity for young players like Carter Bryant to make an impression and build momentum heading into the playoffs. With 62 wins, the third-most in franchise history, the Spurs are primed for a deep postseason run as they make their first playoff appearance since 2019.