HOUSTON, TX — On Sunday, April 13, 2025, the Denver Nuggets solidified their playoff position by defeating the Houston Rockets 126-111 at the Toyota Center. With this win, the Nuggets clinched the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference, ensuring homecourt advantage for their first-round matchup.
The Nuggets started strong, taking a commanding 13-point lead at halftime. They extended it further with a significant 10-2 run in the third quarter, bolstered by five points from Aaron Gordon, making the score 86-63 with about five minutes left in the period.
Despite the Rockets already securing the No. 2 seed, they continued to compete until the Nuggets mounted a decisive lead of 111-78, prompting them to clear their bench. Nikola Jokić, who has been a standout this season, contributed seven rebounds and seven assists, concluding his regular season with a remarkable achievement of averaging a triple-double.
“We just played our game,” Jokić said following the match. “It’s all about execution and teamwork.”
Russell Westbrook came off the bench to add 17 points, helping the Nuggets achieve their third consecutive victory under interim coach David Adelman, who stepped in for the recently fired Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth after a disappointing stretch.
The Rockets, who finished with a 52-30 record, had strong performances from their usual stars, but their focus shifted to the playoffs. Houston’s performance marked their first winning season since their 2019-20 playoff run.
“We’re ready for the postseason. We’ve worked hard all season,” said Rockets coach Stephen Silas. “This will be a different challenge come playoff time.”
Key moments in the game included the Nuggets’ pivotal third-quarter run, which established a 20-point lead, effectively sealing their fate in the contest. The win allows the Nuggets to enter the playoffs with momentum, a crucial factor in postseason play.
Attendance at the game was recorded at 18,055, reflecting the continued interest in both teams as they head into the playoffs. The Nuggets will face the No. 5 seed, the Los Angeles Clippers, while the Rockets will host the No. 7 seed in the first round of the playoffs beginning April 19-20.
