NBA Season Ends: Raptors Fall, Warriors Face Play-In, Nuggets Secure Top Seed
The National Basketball Association (NBA) season concluded on Sunday with several dramatic finishes, marking the end of the 30th NBA season. The Toronto Raptors suffered a 118-125 loss to the San Antonio Spurs, while the Golden State Warriors are headed to a play-in tournament to try and secure a playoff berth.
Raptors’ Season Ends in Disappointment:
Toronto, which had twice established a 22-point lead in the fourth quarter, ultimately fell short against the Spurs, a team featuring former Raptors center Jakob Pöltl. Pöltl, playing with a finger injury, contributed to the loss. “Seen superficially, we sold something below our value,” Pöltl stated. “But if you looked at the big and whole, it was a successful season in the sense that we laid a good foundation.” He highlighted significant progress in both offense and defense, and noted a “step in the right direction” for his own game, emphasizing increased versatility and strength of his existing skills. “I was able to make my game more multifaceted and expand my strengths.”
The Raptors finished the season with a 30-52 record, placing them 11th in the Eastern Conference. Pöltl is expected to return to Austria at the end of April and may participate in a week of team training with the Raptors before heading home. Further plans are in motion to have him play for the national team in August. “My camp in Vienna rises in June and hopefully I will play for the national team in August,” he said, noting ongoing conversations with both the Raptors organization and the national basketball association to secure necessary permissions.
Warriors Miss Playoffs, Head to Play-In
The Golden State Warriors’ season ended with a 119-124 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, effectively eliminating them from playoff contention. Despite 36 points from Stephen Curry and 30 points from Jimmy Butler, the Clippers, fueled by 39 points from James Harden and 33 points from Kawhi Leonard, secured the fifth seed in the Western Conference.
“While the Clippers secured fifth place in the NBA vest with the eighth win in a row, the Warriors have to go to play-in against the Memphis Grizzlies,” pointed out sources. The Warriors’ hopes now rest on navigating the play-in tournament to earn a spot in the playoffs.
Nuggets Secure Top Seed:
Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets closed out the regular season with a dominant 126-111 victory over the Houston Rockets. Nikola Jokic, who averaged 29.8 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 10.3 assists per game, led the way for the top-seeded Nuggets.
- Nikola Jokic: Averaged 29.8 points, 12.8 rebounds, 10.3 assists.
- Westwood Contender: Russell Westbrook and Oscar Robertson were the only other players to achieve a triple double over an entire game year.
The play-in games are scheduled to begin on Tuesday and Wednesday and Friday, leading into the official start of the NBA Playoffs on Saturday.
FAQ
- Q: What is the play-in tournament?
- Q: When do the play-in games start?
- Q: Will Nikola Jokic play in the playoffs?
A: It’s a two-game series between the seventh and eighth seeds in each conference, determining which team gets to enter the playoffs directly instead of having to go through the play-in round.
A: The play-in games begin on Tuesday, May 16th, 2023.
A: Yes, Jokic is expected to be fully available for the Denver Nuggets as they compete for a championship.
Did you know? The Warriors’ loss to the Clippers marked their second consecutive loss in the season series against the Clippers.
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Evergreen Content: This article provides an update on the final games of the NBA season and the upcoming play-in tournament, offering a comprehensive overview of the key storylines and results.