Game 2 between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets averaged 4.25 million viewers across TNT and truTV.

The number is down 2% from last year's Warriors-Kings matchup.

The lead-in game between the Sixers and Knicks averaged 3.47 million viewers.

This year's NBA playoffs is averaging 3.45 million viewers. 

The NBA and Denver police are investigating an incident in which one of Nikola Jokic's brothers was seen a punching a fan after the Denver Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 2.

In videos shared by TMZ and other outlets, the man is seen climbing over seats to confront another person at Ball Arena, who he then punches in the face.

The Denver police media relations unit said in an email sent to The Associated Press that it is investigating the incident, but said it was not reported to the Denver police at the arena or after the game.

"At this time, no one has come forward as a victim of this incident," the email said. "The Department is looking into this incident, is actively working to identify the person in the video who was struck, and encourages anyone who was involved or witnessed this firsthand to contact the Denver Police Department."

The NBA announced the finalists for 2023-24 Most Valuable Player. The finalists are Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets.

Jokic is a two-time MVP, having been honored for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons. Jokic was the MVP runner-up to Joel Embiid for the 2022-23 season.

This is the first time Doncic or Gilgeous-Alexander have been finalists for MVP.

Jalen Brunson and Nikola Jokic have been named the NBA's Players of the Week for Week 25.

Brunson averaged 38.5 points and 7.5 assists as the New York Knicks went 4-0.

Jokic averaged 26.5 points and 11.5 rebounds as the Denver Nuggets went 3-1.

The Western Conference seeds are set following the end of regular season on Sunday. The first round begins on Saturday, April 20th.

First Round Matchups

• No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 8 (Pelicans, Lakers, Kings or Warriors)

• No. 2 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 7 (Pelicans or Lakers)

• No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves vs. No. 6 Phoenix Suns

• No. 4 LA Clippers vs. No. 5 Dallas Mavericks

Play-In

• No. 7 New Orleans Pelicans vs. No. 8 Los Angeles Lakers

• No. 9 Sacramento Kings vs. No. 10 Golden State Warriors

Wednesday night's matchup between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets averaged 1.57 million viewers on ESPN.

The number represented the largest sports audience of the day.

The lead-in game between the Mavs and Heat averaged 1.23 million viewers across ESPN and ESPN2.

Thursday night's matchup between the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers averaged 1.47 million viewers across TNT and truTV, up from last year's Nuggets-Suns matchup (1.1 million viewers).

The Kings and Knicks lead into the game with 1.13 million viewers.

The NIT title matchup between Seton Hall and Indiana State averaged 1.41 million viewers on ESPN.

The Charlotte Hornets have received permission to interview multiple current assistant coaches for their head coaching vacancy. The Hornets are looking for a replacement at head coach for Steve Clifford. 

• David Adelman, Denver Nuggets

• Jordi Fernandez, Sacramento Kings

• Charles Lee, Boston Celtics

• Kevin Young, Phoenix Suns

Nikola Jokic has emerged as the clear favorite to win the 23-24 NBA Most Valuable Player award following the publication of ESPN's latest straw poll.

Jokic received 85 out of 100 first place votes to receive 953 total points ahead of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 10 first place votes and 626 total points.

Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo rank third and fourth in what has become a very clear top-4. Embiid was the early favorite in ESPN's first straw poll published in December, but he subsequently missed a significant portion of the season due to a meniscus injury.

Jayson Tatum, Jalen Brunson, Anthony Edwards, Kawhi Leonard, Domantas Sabonis and Jaylen Brown round out the top-10.

Jokic previously won the award in 2021 and 2022, while finishing second behind Joel Embiid in 2023. Embiid was the early favorite in ESPN's first straw poll conducted in December. Jokic had a more narrow lead over Gilgeous-Alexander in the previous ESPN poll in February.

According to the latest odds, Jokic is a -649 favorite to win the award ahead of Doncic at +500 and Gilgeous-Alexander at +2000.

Jamal Murray missed his fourth consecutive game with a sprained left ankle and swollen right knee on Friday night.

"He's just not ready to go out there and compete at the level that we need him to," said Michael Malone.

Malone hinted that Murray would not be healthy in time for the Nuggets' game on Sunday.

Malone added that he expects Murray to return before the playoffs.