×
Deadspin | Canucks score in OT, leave Ducks still looking for win, playoff berth Apr 12, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Vancouver Canucks left wing Drew O’Connor (18) skates with the puck against Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe (2) at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Corinne Votaw-Imagn Images Marco Rossi scored with 10 seconds left in overtime as the last-place Vancouver Canucks played the role of spoiler Sunday with a 4-3 victory over the host Anaheim Ducks, who needed a win to snap a seven-year playoff drought. Rossi rifled a slapshot past Ducks goalie Lukas Dostal after taking a pass from Jake DeBrusk for the Canucks’ second power-play goal of the contest. The Ducks’ (42-32-6, 90 points) next chance to punch their ticket to the postseason with a win will be Tuesday when they visit the Minnesota Wild. Brock Boeser, Curtis Douglas and DeBrusk also scored and Rossi added an assist for the Canucks, who won their second straight game. Goaltender Nikita Tolopilo made 24 saves for Vancouver, which improved to 24-48-8, with 56 points. Cutter Gauthier scored two goals, Leo Carlsson scored one and Chris Kreider added two assists for the Ducks, who were trying to punch their ticket to the postseason for the first time since 2018. Goaltender Dostal made 22 saves for Anaheim. Gauthier, the Ducks’ leading scorer, opened the scoring with a power-play goal 3:41 into the first period. Alex Killorn took the initial shot and Kreider got the rebound and backhanded it over to Gauthier, who had an open net for his 39th goal of the season. Canucks enforcer Douglas scored his first NHL goal in his 41st career game at 10:49 to tie it 1-1. Douglas used his long reach to outbattle defenseman Tyson Hinds in the crease and poke a loose puck over the goal line. With the Canucks on the power play, DeBrusk got the tip of the blade of his stick on a Rossi shot and it deflected past the blocker of Dostal at 14:37 of the first to make it 2-1 Vancouver. Boeser scored a short-handed goal at 4:28 of the third period to make it 3-1 for Vancouver. Boeser stole the puck from forward Carlsson at the Canucks’ blue line then raced in alone and beat Dostal with a forehand deke. Just 37 seconds after Boeser’s goal, Gauthier scored his second of the game and 40th of the season, beating Tolopilo with a slap shot to the short side on a power play to cut the Canucks’ lead to 3-2. Carlson redeemed himself, after the miscue on the Canucks’ third goal, by scoring on a backhand at 6:56 of the third to tie it 3-3 and set the stage for overtime. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Canucks #score #leave #Ducks #win #playoff #berth

Deadspin | Canucks score in OT, leave Ducks still looking for win, playoff berth
Deadspin | Canucks score in OT, leave Ducks still looking for win, playoff berth Apr 12, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Vancouver Canucks left wing Drew O’Connor (18) skates with the puck against Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe (2) at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Corinne Votaw-Imagn Images Marco Rossi scored with 10 seconds left in overtime as the last-place Vancouver Canucks played the role of spoiler Sunday with a 4-3 victory over the host Anaheim Ducks, who needed a win to snap a seven-year playoff drought. Rossi rifled a slapshot past Ducks goalie Lukas Dostal after taking a pass from Jake DeBrusk for the Canucks’ second power-play goal of the contest. The Ducks’ (42-32-6, 90 points) next chance to punch their ticket to the postseason with a win will be Tuesday when they visit the Minnesota Wild. Brock Boeser, Curtis Douglas and DeBrusk also scored and Rossi added an assist for the Canucks, who won their second straight game. Goaltender Nikita Tolopilo made 24 saves for Vancouver, which improved to 24-48-8, with 56 points. Cutter Gauthier scored two goals, Leo Carlsson scored one and Chris Kreider added two assists for the Ducks, who were trying to punch their ticket to the postseason for the first time since 2018. Goaltender Dostal made 22 saves for Anaheim. Gauthier, the Ducks’ leading scorer, opened the scoring with a power-play goal 3:41 into the first period. Alex Killorn took the initial shot and Kreider got the rebound and backhanded it over to Gauthier, who had an open net for his 39th goal of the season. Canucks enforcer Douglas scored his first NHL goal in his 41st career game at 10:49 to tie it 1-1. Douglas used his long reach to outbattle defenseman Tyson Hinds in the crease and poke a loose puck over the goal line. With the Canucks on the power play, DeBrusk got the tip of the blade of his stick on a Rossi shot and it deflected past the blocker of Dostal at 14:37 of the first to make it 2-1 Vancouver. Boeser scored a short-handed goal at 4:28 of the third period to make it 3-1 for Vancouver. Boeser stole the puck from forward Carlsson at the Canucks’ blue line then raced in alone and beat Dostal with a forehand deke. Just 37 seconds after Boeser’s goal, Gauthier scored his second of the game and 40th of the season, beating Tolopilo with a slap shot to the short side on a power play to cut the Canucks’ lead to 3-2. Carlson redeemed himself, after the miscue on the Canucks’ third goal, by scoring on a backhand at 6:56 of the third to tie it 3-3 and set the stage for overtime. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Canucks #score #leave #Ducks #win #playoff #berthApr 12, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Vancouver Canucks left wing Drew O’Connor (18) skates with the puck against Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe (2) at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Corinne Votaw-Imagn Images

Marco Rossi scored with 10 seconds left in overtime as the last-place Vancouver Canucks played the role of spoiler Sunday with a 4-3 victory over the host Anaheim Ducks, who needed a win to snap a seven-year playoff drought.

Rossi rifled a slapshot past Ducks goalie Lukas Dostal after taking a pass from Jake DeBrusk for the Canucks’ second power-play goal of the contest.

The Ducks’ (42-32-6, 90 points) next chance to punch their ticket to the postseason with a win will be Tuesday when they visit the Minnesota Wild.

Brock Boeser, Curtis Douglas and DeBrusk also scored and Rossi added an assist for the Canucks, who won their second straight game. Goaltender Nikita Tolopilo made 24 saves for Vancouver, which improved to 24-48-8, with 56 points.

Cutter Gauthier scored two goals, Leo Carlsson scored one and Chris Kreider added two assists for the Ducks, who were trying to punch their ticket to the postseason for the first time since 2018. Goaltender Dostal made 22 saves for Anaheim.


Gauthier, the Ducks’ leading scorer, opened the scoring with a power-play goal 3:41 into the first period. Alex Killorn took the initial shot and Kreider got the rebound and backhanded it over to Gauthier, who had an open net for his 39th goal of the season.

Canucks enforcer Douglas scored his first NHL goal in his 41st career game at 10:49 to tie it 1-1. Douglas used his long reach to outbattle defenseman Tyson Hinds in the crease and poke a loose puck over the goal line.

With the Canucks on the power play, DeBrusk got the tip of the blade of his stick on a Rossi shot and it deflected past the blocker of Dostal at 14:37 of the first to make it 2-1 Vancouver.

Boeser scored a short-handed goal at 4:28 of the third period to make it 3-1 for Vancouver. Boeser stole the puck from forward Carlsson at the Canucks’ blue line then raced in alone and beat Dostal with a forehand deke.

Just 37 seconds after Boeser’s goal, Gauthier scored his second of the game and 40th of the season, beating Tolopilo with a slap shot to the short side on a power play to cut the Canucks’ lead to 3-2.

Carlson redeemed himself, after the miscue on the Canucks’ third goal, by scoring on a backhand at 6:56 of the third to tie it 3-3 and set the stage for overtime.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Canucks #score #leave #Ducks #win #playoff #berth

Sports news

Apr 12, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Vancouver Canucks left wing Drew O’Connor (18) skates with the puck against Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe (2) at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Corinne Votaw-Imagn Images

Marco Rossi scored with 10 seconds left in overtime as the last-place Vancouver Canucks played the role of spoiler Sunday with a 4-3 victory over the host Anaheim Ducks, who needed a win to snap a seven-year playoff drought.

Rossi rifled a slapshot past Ducks goalie Lukas Dostal after taking a pass from Jake DeBrusk for the Canucks’ second power-play goal of the contest.

The Ducks’ (42-32-6, 90 points) next chance to punch their ticket to the postseason with a win will be Tuesday when they visit the Minnesota Wild.

Brock Boeser, Curtis Douglas and DeBrusk also scored and Rossi added an assist for the Canucks, who won their second straight game. Goaltender Nikita Tolopilo made 24 saves for Vancouver, which improved to 24-48-8, with 56 points.

Cutter Gauthier scored two goals, Leo Carlsson scored one and Chris Kreider added two assists for the Ducks, who were trying to punch their ticket to the postseason for the first time since 2018. Goaltender Dostal made 22 saves for Anaheim.

Gauthier, the Ducks’ leading scorer, opened the scoring with a power-play goal 3:41 into the first period. Alex Killorn took the initial shot and Kreider got the rebound and backhanded it over to Gauthier, who had an open net for his 39th goal of the season.

Canucks enforcer Douglas scored his first NHL goal in his 41st career game at 10:49 to tie it 1-1. Douglas used his long reach to outbattle defenseman Tyson Hinds in the crease and poke a loose puck over the goal line.

With the Canucks on the power play, DeBrusk got the tip of the blade of his stick on a Rossi shot and it deflected past the blocker of Dostal at 14:37 of the first to make it 2-1 Vancouver.

Boeser scored a short-handed goal at 4:28 of the third period to make it 3-1 for Vancouver. Boeser stole the puck from forward Carlsson at the Canucks’ blue line then raced in alone and beat Dostal with a forehand deke.

Just 37 seconds after Boeser’s goal, Gauthier scored his second of the game and 40th of the season, beating Tolopilo with a slap shot to the short side on a power play to cut the Canucks’ lead to 3-2.

Carlson redeemed himself, after the miscue on the Canucks’ third goal, by scoring on a backhand at 6:56 of the third to tie it 3-3 and set the stage for overtime.

–Field Level Media

Source link
#Deadspin #Canucks #score #leave #Ducks #win #playoff #berth

Related Posts

Deadspin | Trail Blazers lock up No. 8 seed in West by beating Kings Apr 12, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) dunks the basketball over Sacramento Kings center Dylan Cardwell (32) during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images Deni Avdija recorded 25 points, 10 assists and six rebounds and the Portland Trail Blazers secured the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference with a 122-110 victory over the visiting Sacramento Kings in the regular-season finale for both teams. Jrue Holiday added 23 points and seven rebounds for Portland (42-40), which will play beyond the regular season for the first time since the 2020-21 campaign. Toumani Camara and Scoot Henderson added 15 points apiece and Donovan Clingan had 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Trail Blazers. Portland will visit the No. 7 Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night in the play-in round. The winner goes directly to the NBA playoffs while the loser will have a second opportunity on Friday. Precious Achiuwa registered 27 points and 11 rebounds and Nique Clifford added 24 points and seven rebounds for the Kings. Maxime Raynaud had 21 points and nine rebounds for Sacramento (22-60), which finished with the second-most losses in franchise history. The Kings went 17-65 in 2008-09. Sacramento was without DeMar DeRozan (hamstring) for the third straight game. Holiday’s 20-footer gave Portland a 118-104 lead with 2:51 remaining and he knocked down a driving bank shot 42 seconds later as the Trail Blazers wrapped up the No. 8 seed in style. Portland began the day with the same record as the Los Angeles Clippers but holding the tiebreaker advantage. The Clippers finished beating the Golden State Warriors shortly after the Trail Blazers closed out their win. Los Angeles is the No. 9 seed and will host No. 10 Golden State on Wednesday. The Trail Blazers shot 46.5% from the field, including 16 of 46 from 3-point range, while finishing 4-0 against the Kings this season. Sacramento made 48.2% of its shots and was 7 of 21 from behind the arc. Portland outscored the Kings 44-24 in the second quarter to hold a 77-57 halftime lead. Avdija had 17 points in the half for the Trail Blazers while Achiuwa and Clifford scored 14 apiece in the half for Sacramento. The Kings darted out of the gates in the third quarter with eight straight points as part of a 17-4 burst. Raynaud capped it with a dunk to bring Sacramento within 81-74 with 6:43 left in the period. Portland pushed its lead back to 13 on Henderson’s three-point play with 2:40 left in the quarter. The Trail Blazers led 96-84 entering the final stanza. Sacramento was within single digits at 104-95 as Doug McDermott buried a 3-pointer with 8:13 to play before Portland went on a finishing kick. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Trail #Blazers #lock #seed #West #beating #KingsApr 12, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) dunks the basketball over Sacramento Kings center Dylan Cardwell (32) during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Deni Avdija recorded 25 points, 10 assists and six rebounds and the Portland Trail Blazers secured the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference with a 122-110 victory over the visiting Sacramento Kings in the regular-season finale for both teams.

Jrue Holiday added 23 points and seven rebounds for Portland (42-40), which will play beyond the regular season for the first time since the 2020-21 campaign.

Toumani Camara and Scoot Henderson added 15 points apiece and Donovan Clingan had 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Trail Blazers.

Portland will visit the No. 7 Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night in the play-in round. The winner goes directly to the NBA playoffs while the loser will have a second opportunity on Friday.

Precious Achiuwa registered 27 points and 11 rebounds and Nique Clifford added 24 points and seven rebounds for the Kings. Maxime Raynaud had 21 points and nine rebounds for Sacramento (22-60), which finished with the second-most losses in franchise history. The Kings went 17-65 in 2008-09.

Sacramento was without DeMar DeRozan (hamstring) for the third straight game.

Holiday’s 20-footer gave Portland a 118-104 lead with 2:51 remaining and he knocked down a driving bank shot 42 seconds later as the Trail Blazers wrapped up the No. 8 seed in style.


Portland began the day with the same record as the Los Angeles Clippers but holding the tiebreaker advantage. The Clippers finished beating the Golden State Warriors shortly after the Trail Blazers closed out their win. Los Angeles is the No. 9 seed and will host No. 10 Golden State on Wednesday.

The Trail Blazers shot 46.5% from the field, including 16 of 46 from 3-point range, while finishing 4-0 against the Kings this season.

Sacramento made 48.2% of its shots and was 7 of 21 from behind the arc.

Portland outscored the Kings 44-24 in the second quarter to hold a 77-57 halftime lead. Avdija had 17 points in the half for the Trail Blazers while Achiuwa and Clifford scored 14 apiece in the half for Sacramento.

The Kings darted out of the gates in the third quarter with eight straight points as part of a 17-4 burst. Raynaud capped it with a dunk to bring Sacramento within 81-74 with 6:43 left in the period.

Portland pushed its lead back to 13 on Henderson’s three-point play with 2:40 left in the quarter.

The Trail Blazers led 96-84 entering the final stanza. Sacramento was within single digits at 104-95 as Doug McDermott buried a 3-pointer with 8:13 to play before Portland went on a finishing kick.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Trail #Blazers #lock #seed #West #beating #Kings">Deadspin | Trail Blazers lock up No. 8 seed in West by beating Kings Apr 12, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) dunks the basketball over Sacramento Kings center Dylan Cardwell (32) during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images Deni Avdija recorded 25 points, 10 assists and six rebounds and the Portland Trail Blazers secured the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference with a 122-110 victory over the visiting Sacramento Kings in the regular-season finale for both teams. Jrue Holiday added 23 points and seven rebounds for Portland (42-40), which will play beyond the regular season for the first time since the 2020-21 campaign. Toumani Camara and Scoot Henderson added 15 points apiece and Donovan Clingan had 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Trail Blazers. Portland will visit the No. 7 Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night in the play-in round. The winner goes directly to the NBA playoffs while the loser will have a second opportunity on Friday. Precious Achiuwa registered 27 points and 11 rebounds and Nique Clifford added 24 points and seven rebounds for the Kings. Maxime Raynaud had 21 points and nine rebounds for Sacramento (22-60), which finished with the second-most losses in franchise history. The Kings went 17-65 in 2008-09. Sacramento was without DeMar DeRozan (hamstring) for the third straight game. Holiday’s 20-footer gave Portland a 118-104 lead with 2:51 remaining and he knocked down a driving bank shot 42 seconds later as the Trail Blazers wrapped up the No. 8 seed in style. Portland began the day with the same record as the Los Angeles Clippers but holding the tiebreaker advantage. The Clippers finished beating the Golden State Warriors shortly after the Trail Blazers closed out their win. Los Angeles is the No. 9 seed and will host No. 10 Golden State on Wednesday. The Trail Blazers shot 46.5% from the field, including 16 of 46 from 3-point range, while finishing 4-0 against the Kings this season. Sacramento made 48.2% of its shots and was 7 of 21 from behind the arc. Portland outscored the Kings 44-24 in the second quarter to hold a 77-57 halftime lead. Avdija had 17 points in the half for the Trail Blazers while Achiuwa and Clifford scored 14 apiece in the half for Sacramento. The Kings darted out of the gates in the third quarter with eight straight points as part of a 17-4 burst. Raynaud capped it with a dunk to bring Sacramento within 81-74 with 6:43 left in the period. Portland pushed its lead back to 13 on Henderson’s three-point play with 2:40 left in the quarter. The Trail Blazers led 96-84 entering the final stanza. Sacramento was within single digits at 104-95 as Doug McDermott buried a 3-pointer with 8:13 to play before Portland went on a finishing kick. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Trail #Blazers #lock #seed #West #beating #Kings

Berekum Chelsea winger Dominic Frimpong has ​been killed in an ‌armed robbery on his ​side’s team bus ⁠as they returned from a Ghana Premier League fixture ‌at Samartex on Sunday, the Ghana ‌Football Association said.

The ‌robbers ⁠fired at the bus ⁠as it tried to reverse, striking Frimpong, 20, in ​the head. ‌He later died in hospital and is the only reported casualty from ‌the incident.

“The Ghana ​Football Association (GFA) has received with profound shock ⁠and deep sorrow the tragic news of the ‌passing of Dominic Frimpong of Berekum Chelsea Football Club,” it said.

“The incident has sent shockwaves across the entire ‌football fraternity. The GFA extends ​its heartfelt condolences to the family of ⁠the deceased, his teammates, ⁠technical staff, management, and all at Berekum ‌Chelsea during this extremely difficult time.”

Published on Apr 13, 2026

#Ghana #football #player #Dominic #Frimpong #killed #attack #Berekum #Chelsea #team #bus">Ghana football player Dominic Frimpong killed in attack on Berekum Chelsea team bus Berekum Chelsea winger Dominic Frimpong has ​been killed in an ‌armed robbery on his ​side’s team bus ⁠as they returned from a Ghana Premier League fixture ‌at Samartex on Sunday, the Ghana ‌Football Association said.The ‌robbers ⁠fired at the bus ⁠as it tried to reverse, striking Frimpong, 20, in ​the head. ‌He later died in hospital and is the only reported casualty from ‌the incident.“The Ghana ​Football Association (GFA) has received with profound shock ⁠and deep sorrow the tragic news of the ‌passing of Dominic Frimpong of Berekum Chelsea Football Club,” it said.“The incident has sent shockwaves across the entire ‌football fraternity. The GFA extends ​its heartfelt condolences to the family of ⁠the deceased, his teammates, ⁠technical staff, management, and all at Berekum ‌Chelsea during this extremely difficult time.”Published on Apr 13, 2026 #Ghana #football #player #Dominic #Frimpong #killed #attack #Berekum #Chelsea #team #bus

Deadspin | Nikola Jokic, Nuggets beat Spurs for 12th straight victory Apr 12, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) shoots over San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) during the first half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images Denver’s Nikola Jokic scored 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds in 18-plus minutes of court time — all in the first half — as the visiting Nuggets rolled to a 128-118 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday in the regular-season finale for both playoff-bound teams. The Nuggets (54-28) clinched the third seed in Western Conference and will host sixth-seeded Minnesota for the first two games of their best-of-seven first-round playoff series either April 18 or 19. Denver ended the regular season with 12 straight wins and took three of the four games against the Spurs this year. Jokic played the necessary minutes to reach the league’s 65-game threshold for postseason award consideration. That game total also allowed Jokic to become the first player in NBA history to lead in both rebounds per game (12.9) and assists per game (10.7). Victor Wembanyama sat out the game for San Antonio, which already clinched the No. 2 spot in the West and had little to gain from Sunday’s game. The Spurs will host the winner of Tuesday’s 7/8 play-in tournament game between Phoenix and Portland in the opening two contests of a best-of-seven first-round playoffs series on either April 18 or 19. The Spurs had a three-game winning streak snapped but finished the campaign with a 62-20 mark, their best since the 2015-16 season in which they won 67 games. Julian Strawther had 25 points to lead the Nuggets, with Jonas Valanciunas adding 16 points and 11 rebounds, David Roddy amassing 15 points and 13 rebounds, Bruce Brown scoring 14 points, Curtis Jones hitting for 13 and Jalen Pickett tallying 11. De’Aaron Fox paced the Spurs with 24 points. Devin Vassell added 19, Keldon Johnson had 18, Carter Bryant scoring 13, Harrison Barnes 12 and Stephon Castle finishing with 10 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. Jokic played all 12 minutes of the first quarter, scoring 12 points and taking seven rebounds to help the Nuggets establish a 37-34 lead at the end of the period. Denver pushed its advantage to 23 points with 3:02 to play in the second quarter before the Spurs pulled to within 70-56 at the break. The Nuggets also got 16 points from Strawther in the first half and Jones scored 13. San Antonio got 15 points from Vassell and 14 from Fox. The Spurs tried to get back in game, drawing to within nine points in the third quarter and to 101-95 after a Bryant layup with 11:14 left in the game. But Denver’s reserve players had enough in the tank to finish off the win. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Nikola #Jokic #Nuggets #beat #Spurs #12th #straight #victoryApr 12, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) shoots over San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) during the first half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Denver’s Nikola Jokic scored 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds in 18-plus minutes of court time — all in the first half — as the visiting Nuggets rolled to a 128-118 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday in the regular-season finale for both playoff-bound teams.

The Nuggets (54-28) clinched the third seed in Western Conference and will host sixth-seeded Minnesota for the first two games of their best-of-seven first-round playoff series either April 18 or 19. Denver ended the regular season with 12 straight wins and took three of the four games against the Spurs this year.

Jokic played the necessary minutes to reach the league’s 65-game threshold for postseason award consideration. That game total also allowed Jokic to become the first player in NBA history to lead in both rebounds per game (12.9) and assists per game (10.7).

Victor Wembanyama sat out the game for San Antonio, which already clinched the No. 2 spot in the West and had little to gain from Sunday’s game. The Spurs will host the winner of Tuesday’s 7/8 play-in tournament game between Phoenix and Portland in the opening two contests of a best-of-seven first-round playoffs series on either April 18 or 19.

The Spurs had a three-game winning streak snapped but finished the campaign with a 62-20 mark, their best since the 2015-16 season in which they won 67 games.


Julian Strawther had 25 points to lead the Nuggets, with Jonas Valanciunas adding 16 points and 11 rebounds, David Roddy amassing 15 points and 13 rebounds, Bruce Brown scoring 14 points, Curtis Jones hitting for 13 and Jalen Pickett tallying 11.

De’Aaron Fox paced the Spurs with 24 points. Devin Vassell added 19, Keldon Johnson had 18, Carter Bryant scoring 13, Harrison Barnes 12 and Stephon Castle finishing with 10 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists.

Jokic played all 12 minutes of the first quarter, scoring 12 points and taking seven rebounds to help the Nuggets establish a 37-34 lead at the end of the period. Denver pushed its advantage to 23 points with 3:02 to play in the second quarter before the Spurs pulled to within 70-56 at the break.

The Nuggets also got 16 points from Strawther in the first half and Jones scored 13. San Antonio got 15 points from Vassell and 14 from Fox.

The Spurs tried to get back in game, drawing to within nine points in the third quarter and to 101-95 after a Bryant layup with 11:14 left in the game. But Denver’s reserve players had enough in the tank to finish off the win.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Nikola #Jokic #Nuggets #beat #Spurs #12th #straight #victory">Deadspin | Nikola Jokic, Nuggets beat Spurs for 12th straight victory Apr 12, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) shoots over San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) during the first half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images Denver’s Nikola Jokic scored 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds in 18-plus minutes of court time — all in the first half — as the visiting Nuggets rolled to a 128-118 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday in the regular-season finale for both playoff-bound teams. The Nuggets (54-28) clinched the third seed in Western Conference and will host sixth-seeded Minnesota for the first two games of their best-of-seven first-round playoff series either April 18 or 19. Denver ended the regular season with 12 straight wins and took three of the four games against the Spurs this year. Jokic played the necessary minutes to reach the league’s 65-game threshold for postseason award consideration. That game total also allowed Jokic to become the first player in NBA history to lead in both rebounds per game (12.9) and assists per game (10.7). Victor Wembanyama sat out the game for San Antonio, which already clinched the No. 2 spot in the West and had little to gain from Sunday’s game. The Spurs will host the winner of Tuesday’s 7/8 play-in tournament game between Phoenix and Portland in the opening two contests of a best-of-seven first-round playoffs series on either April 18 or 19. The Spurs had a three-game winning streak snapped but finished the campaign with a 62-20 mark, their best since the 2015-16 season in which they won 67 games. Julian Strawther had 25 points to lead the Nuggets, with Jonas Valanciunas adding 16 points and 11 rebounds, David Roddy amassing 15 points and 13 rebounds, Bruce Brown scoring 14 points, Curtis Jones hitting for 13 and Jalen Pickett tallying 11. De’Aaron Fox paced the Spurs with 24 points. Devin Vassell added 19, Keldon Johnson had 18, Carter Bryant scoring 13, Harrison Barnes 12 and Stephon Castle finishing with 10 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. Jokic played all 12 minutes of the first quarter, scoring 12 points and taking seven rebounds to help the Nuggets establish a 37-34 lead at the end of the period. Denver pushed its advantage to 23 points with 3:02 to play in the second quarter before the Spurs pulled to within 70-56 at the break. The Nuggets also got 16 points from Strawther in the first half and Jones scored 13. San Antonio got 15 points from Vassell and 14 from Fox. The Spurs tried to get back in game, drawing to within nine points in the third quarter and to 101-95 after a Bryant layup with 11:14 left in the game. But Denver’s reserve players had enough in the tank to finish off the win. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Nikola #Jokic #Nuggets #beat #Spurs #12th #straight #victory

Post Comment