The Nuggets’ three contests since the all-star break illustrate just how crowded the Western Conference playoff race is heading into March.
On Sunday, Denver was riding a four-game winning streak and had a chance to climb into the fifth spot in the standings. But after dropping home games to the Rockets and the Clippers, the Nuggets tumbled completely out of the postseason picture late Tuesday.
Spots three through 10 in the West were separated by four games in the loss column entering Wednesday’s games. Key injury absences and returns — Minnesota’s Jimmy Butler and New Orleans’ DeMarcus Cousins are out, Denver’s Paul Millsap is back and San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard could re-emerge soon — have the potential to shape the postseason push over the next six weeks.