Nikola Jokic exceeded his own expectations. © APA / MATTHEW STOCKMAN

Jokic completes historic season

Nikola Jokic is only the third player in NBA history to finish the season with double-digit averages in points, rebounds and assists.

12 April 2025

From: dpa

The Denver Nuggets star finished with 117 points, 109 rebounds, and 26 assists in the 16-13 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. Even if he comes away empty-handed in Sunday's final regular-round game, this personal achievement will remain with him. Only Russell Westbrook and Oscar Robertson have achieved this feat before him. Jokic, along with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, is the favorite for the season's Most Valuable Player award.

With the home win, the Nuggets cemented fourth place in the Western Conference and would thus have home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. However, the final round of the regular season will not be decided until Sunday.

The rankings in the East are set

In contrast, the Eastern Conference standings are already locked. The Milwaukee Bucks beat Dennis Schröder's Detroit Pistons 125-119, securing fifth place ahead of the Pistons. The final clash between the two teams on Sunday will no longer be relevant for the standings.

Without rested stars Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero, the Orlando Magic defeated the Indiana Pacers 129-115, with Tristan Da Silva scoring 14 points. Orlando finished the regular season in seventh place and will face the Atlanta Hawks in the play-offs, who beat the Philadelphia 124ers 110-76.

Max Strus and Darius Garland lead the Eastern Conference with the Cavs. © APA / DUSTIN SATLOFF

The Cleveland Cavaliers are in first place in the Eastern Conference, followed by the Boston Celtics. Despite their 102-108 loss to the Cavaliers, the New York Knicks can no longer be pushed out of third place – despite three straight losses. The Pacers are in fourth place. The Chicago Bulls are in ninth place, and the Miami Heat are in tenth. The two teams will meet in the play-offs.