DENVER (AP) — Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly says contract extensions for center Nikola Jokic and guard Will Barton are among his offseason priorities and he hinted coach Michael Malone might be in line for one, too.The Nuggets have increased their win totals from 30 to 40 to 46 under Malone but they extended their playoff drought to five years when they lost in overtime at Minnesota in the season finale this week."This is the most confident I've been in our core group since I've been here," said Connelly, who's been in his post in Denver since 2013. "I think we have the makings of a team that can enjoy sustainably high levels of success."I think there's going to be some pretty interesting financial decisions we'll make this offseason."Jokic was drafted in the second round in 2014 and signed a three-year, $4 million deal a year later. The Nuggets have a $1.6 million fourth-year option, which they can decline this summer and instead give Jokic a max contract.While that would crimp... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic only had a basic outline of his offseason plans: Rest, work out in Denver, return home to Serbia and rest some more.It's not more elaborate since the Nuggets big man figured he'd be working for a while longer.The Nuggets won six more games than a year ago and yet finished in the same position — a spot out of the playoffs. This season even came down to a winner-take-all scenario in Minnesota, where the Nuggets came up short in overtime to miss out on the playoffs for a fifth straight season."I'm not mad. I'm not sad, because I think we played good," Jokic said Thursday. "We're not making the playoffs because we were not focused the whole season, every game."Still, the Nuggets won six straight down the stretch to climb into contention for a spot, before losing to the Timberwolves in a spirited game."If we play with that sense of urgency that we did at the end, then we wouldn't have even been in this position," Will Barton said. "It's all a part of growing."Veteran... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Andrew Wiggins left Minnesota's arena on Monday night with the hope that Denver would lose and, thus, secure the Timberwolves a spot in the playoffs.He planned to track the Nuggets on his smartphone like most of his teammates, but there was no viewing party in the works or anxious huddle around the high-definition television in the locker room.The Timberwolves mostly were just relieved they did their part by beating Memphis, considering way they've playing lately."It's our fault for leaving it up to chance," Wiggins said. "So we've just got to wait and see."Fittingly for a once-promising season that has become a slog to the finish, the Wolves wound up watching the Nuggets rally past Portland about an hour after they left the court at Target Center. That kept Denver tied with Minnesota at 46-35 for eighth place in the Western Conference with two days remaining on the schedule.Well, guess who their final opponent is? The Nuggets will bring a six-game winning streak to Target... [More]

HOUSTON -- Austin Rivers caught fire in the second half and, with some help from Lou Williams, shot the short-handed Los Angeles Clippers past the Houston Rockets 128-118 on Friday night at Toyota Center.Rivers scored 30 of his team-high 36 points on 10-of-18 shooting in the second half, drilling 5 of 10 3-pointers down the stretch to keep the injury-riddled Rockets (25-6) at bay.Williams, traded by Houston in the offseason as part of the blockbuster Chris Paul acquisition, scored 32 points. Rivers and Williams combined to shoot 13 for 24 from behind the arc to offset another breathtaking performance from Rockets guard James Harden, who posted his second consecutive 51-point outing.Harden finished 15 of 28 from the floor and 15 of 16 from the free-throw line while adding eight assists. Eric Gordon chipped in 28 points for Houston, which closed a season-long seven-game homestand with consecutive losses to the Los Angeles teams.Warriors 113, Lakers 106OAKLAND, Calif. -- Golden State regained... [More]

ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Hawks, behind center Dwight Howard's 53rd double-double, secured fifth place in the Eastern Conference with a 103-76 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday.Howard scored 19 points on 7-for-9 shooting and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Hawks extended their winning streak to four games.It was the first time in four tries that Atlanta defeated Charlotte, and the result guaranteed the Hawks would finish fifth and open the playoffs against the fourth-place Washington Wizards.The Hawks also received 10 points and seven rebounds from Paul Millsap and 10 points from Ersan Ilyasova. Atlanta rested its regulars in the fourth quarter, but every active player scored.Thunder 100, Timberwolves 98MINNEAPOLIS -- Victor Oladipo scored 20 points, including the game-winning jumper with six seconds left, as Oklahoma City held off Minnesota.Domantas Sabonis had 19 points as six players scored in double figures for the short-handed Thunder, who were without star guard Russell Westbrook... [More]

The Denver Nuggets exercised the fourth-year options for guard Gary Harris and center Jusuf Nurkic as well as the third-year option for guard Emmanuel Mudiay on Friday.Harris, 22, was acquired on a draft-night trade in 2014 after being selected No. 19 overall by the Chicago Bulls.In two seasons, Harris averaged 8.5 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals in 24.1 minutes per game over 131 contests (82 starts).Nurkic, also 22, was taken with the No. 16 overall pick by the Bulls in 2014 and dealt to Denver in the Harris trade.The Bosnian posted averages of 7.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 17.6 minutes a night over 94 games (30 starts) in his first two seasons.Mudiay, 20, was taken No. 7 overall by the Nuggets in the 2015 draft.As a rookie last season, he averaged 12.8 points, a league-rookie-leading 5.5 assists and 1.0 steals in his 30.4 minutes over 68 games (66 starts).

Harris had his team option picked up by the Nuggets on Sunday, Chris Dempsey of Denver Post reports.

The second-year man out of Michigan State is now locked up in Denver for the 2016-2017 season. Harris played in 55 games last season, averaging 3.4 points, 1.2 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.1 blocks in 13 minutes per game. Harris will look to have a larger impact this season on the court, battling with Randy Foye and Wilson Chandler for minutes. He has been averaging 28 minutes per game through the first three preseason games for the Nuggets.

Harris started at shooting guard in Tuesday's exhibition win over the Mavericks, scoring 12 points (4-9 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and pitching in with a rebound, steal, and assist.

The Nuggets deployed both Harris and rookie first-rounder Emmanuel Mudiay in starting roles, with both young players logging 30-plus minutes on the evening. Mudiay seems fairly solidified in the lineup following the offseason trade of Ty Lawson, but Harris will need to prove in training camp and the preseason that he's a more capable shooting guard option than either Randy Foye or Wilson Chandler. Harris has flashed some ability at both ends of the court during his brief tenure with the Nuggets and boasts more upside than either of his competitors, but the veteran savvy of Foye and Chandler may be enough to keep the second-year guard waiting for a full-time starting role.

Harris is in line for an expanded role throughout the 2015-16 season with the Nuggets, the Denver Post reports. "It's a huge season. I don't think it because other people are saying it. I just think it's going to be a huge season for myself personally, just for me," Harris said.

The 2015-16 season will be Harris' second campaign in the league, and the 21-year-old is expected to see an increase in minutes from his rookie year. The Nuggets are looking for Harris to show them he's the long-term shooting guard they figured they were drafting in the first round of the 2014 draft. Harris wasn't exactly given consistent minutes as a rookie, so the inexperienced guard will be thrust into a much more expanded role and forced to prove himself early in his career. Harris will compete with Randy Foye for the starting spot at shooting guard right out of the gate heading into the regular season. Harris has shown promise on both ends of the court as a capable scorer and defensive stopper.

Harris averaged 12.3 points, 1.8 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.3 steals in 28 minutes per game through three summer league games.

After struggling in his rookie season, Harris was looking to prove himself at summer league. As a rookie last season, he averaged 13 minutes in only 55 games. He was buried on the bench behind several wing players, and with Wilson Chandler, Will Barton, and Danilo Gallinari still on the team, it's unlikely that Harris will see many more minutes next season. Unless the Nuggets suffer injuries at small forward or shooting guard, or they make some trades, Harris will likely stay buried on the bench.

Harris has added noticeable muscle in preparation for his sophomore campaign and is drawing praise from coach Mike Malone about his defense, the Denver Post reports.

Harris struggled during his rookie season, converting 20 percent of his three-pointers and only playing 13 minutes per contest over 55 games. The Nuggets remain largely intact, but given Malone's defensive trademark, Harris has an opportunity to earn meaningful minutes this season if he impresses his head coach during summer league.

Harris had averages of 3.4 points (30% FG, 20% 3Pt, 75% FT), 1.2 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.1 blocks in 13 minutes per game during 55 regular season games in 2014-15.

The 20-year-old rookie from Michigan State had a tough first year in the NBA. However, Harris will likely receive plenty of playing time in July's Summer League as he looks to improve and gain confidence heading into his sophomore season.

Harris will start in Monday's game against the Clippers.

The Nuggets are resting a handful of players which leaves extra minutes for younger guys like Harris on Monday.

Harris (illness) posted nine points, one rebound, and one block in 18 minutes of action Wednesday against the Lakers.

Harris is averaging just 3.1 points in 12.2 minutes per game this season and doesn't hold much fantasy value.

Harris (illness) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Lakers, Chris Dempsey of the Denver Post reports.

Harris, who played 19 minutes, his most in nearly a month, Saturday against the Clippers, will be evaluated prior to warmups, at which point more information regarding his status should be available.

Harris started Sunday's win over the Pelicans and was held scoreless (0-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt) in 16 minutes. He finished the game with one rebound, a block and a steal.

Harris had started before, but never really saw a boost in production. In his three previous starts this season, Harris shot just 30.8 percent rom the floor and averaged seven points, one rebound and 0.7 steals per outing.

Harris will start in Sunday's game against the Pelicans, the Denver Post reports.

Harris has seen time in the starting lineup before, although he didn't necessarily see a huge boost in production with the added time on the court. Nevertheless, he's in store for more opportunities on the court against the Pelicans.

Harris logged nine minutes during Wednesday's game against the Timberwolves, recording just two rebounds during his short time on the court.

Harris enjoyed a brief stint in the starting lineup but has been confined to the bench recently as he sees limited playing time behind numerous backcourt options. Expect the rookie to see minimal minutes moving forward barring the unforeseen.

Harris will not start Sunday's game against the Pelicans, Chris Dempsey of the Denver Post reports.

Harris started the previous three games, but he only averaged 23 minutes over that stretch, with little to show for it in terms of statistics. Randy Foye will start at shooting guard for the Nuggets on Sunday.

Harris started Friday's game against the Jazz but only spent 16 minutes on the court, registering two points, one rebound, and one steal.

Harris continued to start Friday but it will be surprising if Wilson Chandler (thigh) doesn't replace the rookie in short order since Chandler returned from injury off the bench Friday. Either way, Harris struggles to produce at his young age and is a lackluster option even when he's in the starting lineup.