Nuggets clinch playoff berth with rout of Grizzlies

DENVER (AP) — The Denver Nuggets clinched a playoff berth Thursday night with a 122-109 win over the Memphis Grizzlies behind 35 points from Nikola Jokic and 22 from Aaron Gordon.

Jokic took an inadvertent elbow from Jaren Jackson Jr. to the right forehead and temple that drew blood in the opening minute and he went to the sideline for treatment.

After having to retreat to the bench a second time, Jokic donned a red headband for the remainder of the game as he helped the Nuggets (48-33) overcome a shaky start to avoid a season sweep at the hands of the Grizzlies.

The Nuggets clinched a top-six spot in the Western Conference playoffs and avoided the four-team play-in.

They can still win the Northwest Division with a victory Sunday night against the Lakers and two losses by the Utah Jazz (48-32), who finish up against Phoenix and Portland.

Desmond Bane had 14 points for the Grizzlies, who were coming off an overtime loss at Utah on Wednesday night, have already captured the first division title in their history along with securing the second seed in the West.

They're hopeful of getting All-Star guard Ja Morant back this weekend from a right knee injury that has sidelined him since March 18.

Jokic was hit in the head on the Grizzlies' first bucket, a drive by Jaren Jackson Jr., and retreated to the bench for treatment. He wasn't back on the court for long before returning to the sideline for more treatment and a red headband.

Jokic's 13-foot spinner jumper sparked a 20-3 run that he capped with a layup, turning an early 10-point deficit into a 34-28 lead.

Gordon had 20 points by the time the Nuggets took a 70-53 cushion into halftime, and Jokic's fast-break dunk made it 101-71 late in the third quarter.

The Nuggets led