Nuggets Eliminated from Playoff Contention with Loss to Timberwolves

The Denver Nuggets haven't been to the playoffs since the 2012-13 season, and they missed an opportunity to end that streak Wednesday.

The Minnesota Timberwolves clinched their spot in the postseason with a 112-106 overtime victory over Denver in a head-to-head showdown for the final playoff berth in the Western Conference.

That means the Nuggets will miss the playoffs for the fifth straight campaign, although their gradual improvement in recent years is a minor silver lining. They finished 30-52 in 2014-15, but they jumped to 33-49 in 2015-16 and 40-42 last season, landing just one game behind the eighth-seeded Portland Trail Blazers.

They are once again a game behind the No. 8 seed at 46-36 to end the 2017-18 season.

Despite the disappointing finish, the Nuggets charged back into the playoff race alongside the Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder and New Orleans Pelicans with a six-game winning streak before Wednesday's loss.

Paul Millsap's return from a wrist injury was critical in the late charge, but Denver's young core is the main reason it nearly reached the postseason.

Versatile 23-year-old center Nikola Jokic spearheaded Denver's attack for much of the season. He led the team in points, rebounds and assists per game and can score on the blocks, stretch his shot to three-point range and serve as a dangerous facilitator from the high elbow when opposing defenses send additional attention his way.

Jokic's ability to command that attention opened up looks for 23-year-old Gary Harris and 21-year-old Jamal Murray on the outside. That backcourt duo set the foundation for success in Denver if the team maintains its core over the coming years.

Even though the Nuggets fell short of the postseason in 2017-18, their future remains bright thanks to Jokic, Harris and Murray.