Nuggets secure No. 1 seed in Western Conference

The Denver Nuggets have clinched the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference after the second-place Memphis Grizzlies lost to the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night.

It's the first time in franchise history that the Nuggets will be the top seed in the West. Denver has a 52-27 record with three games left in the campaign.

The Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, and Phoenix Suns are the only other teams in the Western Conference to secure playoff berths. The teams between the fifth-seeded Golden State Warriors and 11th-seeded Dallas Mavericks are separated by four games, with two playoff spots up for grabs and all four play-in tournament berths open.

Denver has had more wins in previous seasons, including a 57-25 record in the 2012-13 season, but it finished third in the Western Conference behind the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs that season.

The Nuggets have qualified for the playoffs five seasons in a row, thanks to the emergence of Serbian center Nikola Jokic. The 28-year-old is averaging 24.8 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 9.8 assists this season for Denver and is one of the top candidates for MVP - an award he's won in back-to-back campaigns.

Denver takes on the Suns on Thursday at 10 p.m. ET.