Denver, CO

Parker Gabriel’s 7 Thoughts after Broncos capture No. 1 seed, including Bo Nix barking at Sean Payton, then looking inward

Published

3 months ago

January 5, 2026

Parker Gabriel’s 7 Thoughts after Broncos capture No. 1 seed, including Bo Nix barking at Sean Payton, then looking inward

The Broncos are in prime position.

They didn’t wow many people Sunday, but they controlled a 19-3 win against the Los Angeles Chargers from start to finish and in the process secured the AFC’s No. 1 seed, a first-round playoff bye and homefield advantage as long as they’re in the tournament.

They are two home wins away from playing in Super Bowl 60.

Head coach Sean Payton after the game did as much shrugging off of an offensive o-fer in scoring position as he’ll ever do.

Players were business-like, but they can feel the inbound rest already.

As they arrived home Sunday night, there are 14 teams still playing in the NFL.

By the time they next take the field, that number will be eight.

Now the fun really begins.

Here are 7 Thoughts following Denver’s dominant defensive performance and a remarkable 14-3 regular season.

1. Bo Nix asked Sean Payton for more urgency early in Sunday’s game. Afterward, he said he should have provided it himself.

Broncos quarterback Bo Nix looked to the sideline.

Early in the second quarter, Denver’s trudging offense finally found a bit of a spark.

Tyler Badie had just taken a third-and-13 swing pass for 16 yards and a first down.

Now the offense could kick into gear.

Except the second-year quarterback clearly didn’t feel the momentum.

Nix got sacked and lost 5 yards on first-and-10.

Then he shot a look to the home sideline and his head coach, Sean Payton. The CBS cameras picked up his words clearly.

“Sean, wake up,” he barked. “Let’s go.”

Bo Nix earlier in the second saying, apparently, “Wake up, let’s go” toward the #Broncos sideline. pic.twitter.com/JkR1mSulgY
— Parker Gabriel (@ParkerJGabriel) January 4, 2026

Nix clapped his hands the way he does when he wants the play calls relayed to him faster.

Payton after the game acknowledged the overall sluggishness and his own.

“I certainly wasn’t as sharp as I wanted to be,” the veteran head coach allowed.

Nix, though, had a different take on the encounter and on the offense’s inability to get rolling in its regular season finale.

“I should have done a better job today having more urgency in the huddle, getting us going,” Nix said. “I felt like I failed us on that. Overall, I thought we didn’t play with the tempo and the passion that we normally play with.

“Now, there’s a lot that goes into that. It’s Week 18, it’s the last game of the year. You’re up 10-0, it’s weird early. Strange football game. You prepare for one thing all week and get something different. You don’t know who’s going to show up (for the Chargers).”

Nix turned in statistically one of the worst passing performances of his career. His 141 yards are the fewest he’s had in a game this season and the fourth-fewest of his career. He took four sacks for the first time this season and just the second time in his career.

His offense found itself at the Chargers’ 20-yard line or deeper four times and did not find the end zone.

Nix, though, called the red zone struggles in particular “nothing to panic about,” and expressed confidence overall that the Broncos’ offense will be ready to go in two weeks.

What he lamented more was the way he handled himself.

“The next time we get in that spot, I’ve got to have better urgency and be a little bit of a spark myself,” he said. “The rest of the guys will do the same.”

That’s all part of the growth of a young quarterback.

You can want the coach to be a little bit sharper. You can wish the game-planning for an opponent in flux on the last week of the season came together a little bit cleaner.

You can find all kinds of reasons for fluster or frustration.

At the end of the day, though, everybody else is going to look to you to be the source of the spark.

At the end of the day, how quarterbacks play in these games and in particular over the next month are the kind of stretches that define legacies and change lives.

2. After the game, Sean Payton got to riffing about the Super Bowl. Given the Broncos’ roster, he’ll likely spend a lot of time the next couple of weeks talking about it with his team.

There are several players on the Broncos’ roster who have played in a Super Bowl.

Mike McGlinchey joked recently that injured fullback Mike Burton stole a ring from him when McGlinchey was with the San Francisco 49ers and Burton with Kansas City back in February of 2020. OK, maybe that was more Patrick Mahomes’ doing, when the Chiefs scored three touchdowns to erase a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit. ILB Dre Greenlaw played in that game. He played in 2024, too, though he ruptured his Achilles in that game.

The Broncos, though, do not have much in the way of experience actually winning a Super Bowl.

In fact, Burton is the only player on the active roster, practice squad or injured reserve — the only player in the Broncos building, period, with a ring.

That makes Payton this team’s Super Bowl sherpa.

It’s been 17 years now since he and the 2009 Saints lifted the trophy, but once the Broncos head man got talking about the experience on Sunday night, he barely slowed down.

That’s what the No. 1 seed means. It means, as Payton said, being able to see light at the end of the tunnel. Denver has two games, the type of which this franchise hasn’t played in a decade, it must win just to get there.

But they have a real chance and the best position of anybody in the field.

The coach knows it.

And he wants, as he says, for a bunch of first-timers to experience what it’s like.

“I mean this, the thing that was hardest about that (NFC Championship Game) loss, the no-call, was that you’re so excited for those that have never been and experienced it,” Payton said, recalling the 2019 NFC title game when an egregious missed pass-interference penalty helped cost the Saints a Super Bowl appearance.

“You try to tell them, ‘whatever you think it is, it’s a million times different,’” Payton said. “Like, the first five minutes playing in that game, your feet are floating. You’re really not present. It’s hard. I got lectured about it.”

Payton, referring likely mentor to Bill Parcells, said he was told to have something basic to start the game with.

“The very first play we ran slant, belly,” Payton said. “Two weeks later he said to me, ‘You had two weeks to prepare for that and you ran a freakin’ slant?

“It’s like any time you want someone to see a movie or go to a restaurant or experience something. That’s the thing that was so difficult getting that close. … There are so many great players in our league that have never even been to one.”

He wasn’t done.

“And I’ve been a part of a team that lost one and that’s traumatic, now. We played the Ravens and didn’t score a touchdown. We had a kick return for a touchdown. And we go back to the party and there’s my mom saying, ‘you were magnificent tonight.’ And you’re like, ‘No. I wasn’t.’ And you get shooed off the field.”

Payton has said since July he thinks this 2025 Broncos team can compete for a Super Bowl title. He’s believed it perhaps longer than anybody else on the planet.

Players bought in quickly. Reporters, analysts, fans all came along at varying speeds and maybe a few still don’t think it’s possible.

But Denver is two wins at Empower Field away from getting its shot.

“We’re in this thing,” Payton said. “We’ve got great respect. The field will be tough.”

3. Broncos players are off until Friday but at least one coach (and maybe more) will likely have a busy week interviewing for other jobs.

Part of Denver’s win and perch with the No. 1 seed is that it will impact the potential interview schedule for anybody who might get a look for head coaching vacancies around the NFL.
That, of course, likely includes Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. He interviewed for jobs last year and once again oversaw a terrific defense this year.

There’s also a chance quarterbacks coach Davis Webb gets interviews as teams survey a potential pool that is heavy on defensive coaches and features fewer true offensive assistants.

Because the Broncos have a bye week, teams with head coaching vacancies can request interviews with Denver assistants as soon as mid-week. Those interviews would happen virtually and must be completed by the time Wild Card weekend ends.

Then subsequent interviews can take place either once the Broncos are eliminated from the playoffs or, if Denver makes the Super Bowl, on the bye week between the conference title game and Super Bowl week in the Bay Area.

Broncos defensive players have had nothing but effusive praise for Joseph.

“He deserves every opportunity in the world,” inside linebacker Alex Singleton told The Post on Sunday night. “I think he’s one of the best coaches in the world. The best coach in the world. He deserves every opportunity.”

Singleton joked that he’s a free agent after the season, so if Joseph gets a job it may not be the end of the road for the two as a pair.

“We win three and he can come get his boy,” Singleton said with a smile.

Webb told The Post during the week he hasn’t given much thought to what might be ahead, though he’s among the most well-thought-of young coaches in the league. He acknowledged, though, that he wants to be in the business for a long time.

“Well, I retired to hopefully do that kind of stuff or else I would have kept playing for another five years,” he said. “But in the same breath, I’ve got plenty to worry about (Week 18) and then hopefully a long playoff run. So, not really too (concerned). I mean, it will all work out.

“But I really enjoy my job here. I enjoy this quarterback room. This is fun and I love living here.”

As of Sunday night, the openings include the New York Giants, Tennessee and Atlanta. There are almost certainly more to open on what’s referred to as “Black Monday” in the NFL.

4. After a wild finish to the AFC North title game, the Broncos have four teams they can face at Empower Field on Divisional weekend. Here’s a quick look at each.

No. 4 Pittsburgh (10-7)

The Steelers got a late touchdown drive from 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers on Sunday night, then led by only two because of a missed extra point. Lamar Jackson led Baltimore to field goal range and then Tyler Loop missed a game-deciding field goal of his own.

Crazy ending.

The Steelers have been a bit up and down all year, but they’re a veteran group with a Hall of Fame quarterback and a coach who just keeps finding ways to win in Mike Tomlin.

Recently: Pittsburgh’s won four of its past five, with the lone loss coming in Week 17 to Cleveland.

Strength: Experience on a defense that nearly collapsed late vs. Baltimore but features edge rushers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, defensive lineman Cam Heywerd and defensive back Jalen Ramsey. That group has given up points and yards this season but entered Sunday having taken the ball away 27 times, too.

No. 5 Houston (12-5)

The Texans roll into the playoffs on an incredible run but having come up short in the AFC South because Jacksonville’s also been on a mega heater. They snuck out a win Sunday against Indianapolis that ultimately wouldn’t have mattered because the Jags won the division, but all the same this is a group that has offensive firepower and a ferocious defense.

Recently: Well, the Texans have won nine in a row. In fact, they haven’t lost since dropping an 18-15 home game to Denver on Nov. 1. The Texans played most of that game without quarterback C.J. Stroud, who was knocked out early due to a concussion.

Strength: A terrific defense orchestrated by head coach DeMeco Ryans. Houston has one of the league’s best pass-rushes, led by outside linebackers Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson. It has a terrific secondary topped by All-Pro corner Derek Stingley Jr. and safeties Calen Bullock and K’Von Wallace. They entered Week 18 No. 1 in the NFL in scoring, total defense, first downs allowed and a host of other metrics.

No. 6 Buffalo (12-5)

The Bills rested a bunch of guys in Week 18 and still steamrolled the New York Jets. Really. Mitchell Trubisky threw four touchdowns in a regular season game.

Recently: Buffalo’s won five of its past six, the lone loss coming in a one-point loss against Philadelphia. Buffalo fell behind the Patriots early in the season and could never catch up in the AFC East, but Sean McDermott’s team is playing good football and can run the ball with the best in the NFL.

Strength: Easy. They have the big, bad wolf. That’s quarterback Josh Allen. With the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow watching the playoffs from home this year, Allen is the best and most decorated player in the AFC postseason field.

He’s an MVP. He’s a proven game-changer. He’s not been to a Super Bowl and, despite the low seed, might not have a better chance. The Bills will have to do it on the road beginning in Jacksonville, but it’s hard to count Allen out.

No. 7 L.A. Chargers

Not much needs to be said here. The teams just played, albeit without quarterback Justin Herbert and company. They’d pushed hard to get to the doorstep of playing for an AFC West title, but fell short in Week 17 against Houston and settled for playing for health in Week 18 rather than to improve seed.

Recently: Justin Herbert put a beleaguered offensive line on his back and led the Chargers to seven wins in eight games before the club dropped its final two games.

Strength: Herbert and head coach Jim Harbaugh. Those guys can give the Chargers confidence against anybody in the field — including the Patriots next weekend — and when Herbert plays, Harbaugh has not yet lost to the Broncos.

5. One thought after a rough offensive outing: Perhaps it will be a Jaleel McLaughlin Playoffs for the Broncos.

For the first time since J.K. Dobbins’ injury, a running back besides rookie RJ Harvey started for Denver. That was only a nominal development, since Harvey came in for Jaleel McLaughlin after one snap.

What happened after that, however, felt substantial.

McLaughlin churned out 41 yards on six carries and added a 17-yard reception. That’s 58 total yards of offense on seven touches.
Harvey, meanwhile, plugged ahead for 28 yards on 15 carries, his least productive outing since taking over the starting role when Dobbins was hurt in early November. He caught one pass on four targets for 5 yards and dropped one, too.

Denver, for better and for worse, knows essentially what it has in McLaughlin. He’s got burst but he’s slight. He’ll create chunk plays but isn’t a home run hitter. He profiles like a good pass-catcher but really hasn’t been an efficient one in his career.

What he’s done consistently the past two months, though, is give the Broncos a spark whenever he’s in the game.

McLaughlin is up to 5.1 yards per carry on the season.

He’s still seeing reps in line with being the No. 2 back, but come the playoffs, it’ll be interesting to see if Payton and company give him a bigger work load or perhaps are at least willing to ride the hot hand if he continues to out-produce Harvey.

6. It’s mostly a conversation for another day, but the Broncos’ decision-making at inside linebacker this offseason is going to be very interesting

Singleton, as he mentioned Sunday night, is a free agent after the season. So, too, is Justin Strnad. Veteran Dre Greenlaw is in the first of a three-year deal with Denver but the way the contract is structured, it wouldn’t be too painful for the Broncos to get out of it if they decide the continued injury risk is not worth the squeeze going forward.

Cutting Greenlaw would save more than $6.8 million on on Denver’s cap in 2026 and incur about $3.3 million in dead cap space, according to Over the Cap.

They’ve got young, developing players at the position, too. The most interesting name there is rookie Jordan Turner, who has been good on special teams and pops every time he gets any kind of clean-up action late in games.

The most notable development through the regular season, though, is Strnad’s emergence. He has played high-quality football and has turned himself into a real, starting-caliber NFL player.

Strnad rolls into the playoffs with 4.5 sacks to his name. He had a team-best seven tackles (tied with Singleton) on Sunday and 57 total tackles.

Strnad played starter snaps on the weakside the first six weeks of the season with Greenlaw out due to a quad injury, then did a stint on the bench. He then wore the green dot and played Mike for a week when Alex Singleton was diagnosed with testicular cancer in November. Then he went back to the bench. Now he’s playing heavy snaps on the weak side again with Greenlaw out due to a hamstring injury.

A year ago, Cody Barton got $7 million per year in free agency after a year in Denver.

Strnad’s playing better football now than Barton did at any point last year. He’s in line for a nice payday. Singleton’s been the primary play caller for Joseph for three seasons. Greenlaw, when healthy, is a force in the run game and has a history of being good in coverage. But he’s not been healthy often.

Does Denver move forward with only one of the three? Maybe two? It’s difficult to see all three back and it’s become more and more difficult to imagine the Broncos let Strnad wear a different uniform next year.

7a. The turnovers showed up Sunday for Denver’s defense. Now, can they keep it rolling in the postseason?

The Broncos’ defense hasn’t had the kind of high-flying season it did a year ago when it comes to putting points on the board, but they did their job Sunday in the team’s clinching win. The only touchdown of Denver’s day came in the first quarter when nickel Ja’Quan McMillian intercepted Los Angeles quarterback Trey Lance off a tipped ball and ran it back for a touchdown. It was just the defense’s 13th takeaway of the season and the first time Vance Joseph’s group has scored this year. That’s in substantial contrast to a year ago when the Broncos defense scored five touchdown and added a pair of safeties for 39 total points.

This one was well-timed, though, considering it came on a day in which the Denver offense did almost nothing. Denver’s mounted a 15-play drive to open the game that ended in an field goal and after that their next seven drives resulted in just four first downs and another field goal. Wil Lutz’s third conversion of the night came thanks to the defense again when a strip sack from outside linebacker Nik Bonitto set up the Broncos at L.A.’s 20-yard line. The offense went backward two yards.

Remarkably, when rookie DL Sai’Vion Jones jumped on the fumble Bonitto forced, it was the defense’s first fumble recovery since Week 1.

7b. Nik Bonitto finished the regular season with a flurry and Denver’s sack record will be difficult to ever top.

With 1.5 sacks in the Broncos’ regular-season finale, finished the season with a career-high 14.

The star edge rusher had gone quiet down the stretch, playing three straight games without a sack. Though he hadn’t actually sacked a quarterback in a while, Bonitto did record an 18% pressure rate in that stretch, which was not terribly far off his 19.4% mark entering Week 18.

Against the Chargers, Bonitto could have had even more. He had quarterback Trey Lance right in his sights and hit him squarely, only to have the quarterback bounce off him and take off toward the sideline.

Still, the flurry sends Bonitto into the bye week on a high note.

The Broncos as a whole, meanwhile, finished the regular season with a franchise record 68 sacks. They broke their own mark from last year in Week 17 and built on it with four sacks Sunday to close out the regular season. Zach Allen chipped in with half a sack and the other two came from a pair of role players who have had really solid seasons: Strnad (4.5 sacks) and DL Eyioma Uwazurike (3.5).

7c. A pair of Payton-related statistical quick-hitters to wrap this thing.

* Payton won 14 regular-season games for the first time in his career.

* He’s just the fifth coach to lead two different teams to a No. 1 seed in the postseason. The others: Andy Reid, Mike Holmgren, Marty Schottenheimer and Tom Caughlin.

7d. Thanks for reading 7 Thoughts this season as we’ve got it off the ground.

Turns out, there are at least 7 more thoughts coming later this month and perhaps beyond. Maybe 14. Maybe 21.

Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.

Source link

Click to comment

Denver, CO

First Time at Denver Fashion Week? Read This Before Tickets Sell Out – 303 Magazine

Published

7 hours ago

April 13, 2026

Press Room

First Time at Denver Fashion Week? Read This Before Tickets Sell Out – 303 Magazine

Denver Fashion Week has become one of the city’s most buzzed-about events – but if you’ve never been, it’s easy to feel unsure about what to expect.

The good news: it’s far more accessible (and fun) than you think – and that’s exactly why people keep coming back.

Your first Fashion Week experience doesn’t have to happen in New York or Paris. It’s happening right here at Denver Fashion Week.

Seats are limited, and the most popular nights go quickly—especially VIP. Get your tickets HERE

Here’s how to navigate your first Denver Fashion Week like a pro.

What’s the vibe?

Forget the intimidating, ultra-elite energy of New York or Paris. Denver Fashion Week strikes a balance between elevated and inclusive. Think high-energy, visually immersive, and social.
You’re not sitting quietly—you’re part of the atmosphere.

You’ll see a mix of:

Designers, models, local creatives, and stylists
Influencers, press, brands, sponsors, and photographers
Fashion, beauty, art, and music lovers dressed to be seen

The energy builds as the night goes on — from pre-show cocktails to the moment the lights dim and the runway comes alive. It’s part fashion show, part social scene, and part cultural experience.

What to wear?

The most common question: What do I wear?

The short answer — there are no strict rules. But this is your moment to show up intentionally styled.

Think of it as: elevated self-expression.

Go-To Outfit Ideas:

Elevated Streetwear
Oversized blazer, cargos or tailored pants, heels or sleek sneakers. Effortlessly cool and on-trend.

Minimal Chic
Slip dress, neutral tones, sleek bun, gold jewelry. Clean, understated and polished.

Bold Statement Look
Metallics, textures, statement outerwear or dramatic silhouettes. Perfect for turning heads.

If you’re debating between playing it safe or going bold – lean bold. This is one of the few nights in Denver where more fashion-forward always works.

What is the timeline of the night?

Arrive early to avoid the line and find parking
Grab a cocktail, take photos, mingle, shop
Runway show begins
Ask where the after party is!

What is the VIP Lounge Experience?

Experience Fashion at the Highest Level

If you’re looking to turn your night into something unforgettable, the VIP experience is where Denver Fashion Week truly comes alive.

VIP access is available to First + Second Runway Seat ticket holders, giving you a front-row connection to every moment on the runway.

VIP Perks Include:

Priority seating with premium runway views
Exclusive check-in experience
Elevated atmosphere among Denver’s fashion insiders
Exclusive access to the VIP Lounge
Complimentary hors d’oeuvres (while supplies last)
Elevated photo opportunities of every look
Networking alongside press, influencers, celebrities, and fashion insiders
Exclusive VIP discounts at select pop-up vendors
An up-close experience of cutting-edge runway production
Access to the VIP cash bar

Why does seating matters?

First and second Row: premium, closest to the action, elevated photo opportunities of every look, and gain VIP lounge access.
General Admission: relaxed, and enjoy a state-of-the-art fashion show production.

Does Denver Fashion Week support the community?

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month this May, Denver Fashion Week has announced Ardent Grove, a Colorado-based nonprofit mental health clinic, as its official community partner for the Spring 2026 shows

Where will Denver Fashion Week be held?

For Spring 2026, Denver Fashion Week will once again transform the luxurious Furniture Row Showroom into a fully immersive runway environment. Known for its expansive layouts, modern architecture, and refined aesthetic, the space offers a setting rarely seen in traditional fashion venues.

Instead of conventional warehouses or hotel ballrooms, the runway unfolds inside a curated interior design landscape — where elevated home décor meets cutting-edge fashion.

Is it worth it?

Denver Fashion Week is more than a runway — it’s a full experience blending fashion, culture, and community.
If you love fashion, creativity, or just want a unique night out in Denver, absolutely.

And once you go, you’ll get it.

Where to stay?

Elevate your Denver Fashion Week experience with our hotel partner, Vīb Hotel. Enjoy 35% off during DFW when you book directly and stay just minutes from the action in style and comfort.

Where to buy tickets?

Seats are limited, and the most popular nights go quickly—especially VIP.

Get your tickets HERE or below

SUSTAINABLE Spring ’26 Presented by Furniture Row

When: Fri, May 1, 7:00 p.m.
Where: Furniture Row Showroom – 5445 Bannock St, Denver
Cost: $30+
The Lowdown:

This show honors designers committed to ethical production, eco-conscious materials and slow fashion principles. From upcycled textiles to responsible sourcing and transparent manufacturing, this runway proves that sustainability and high design can coexist beautifully.

SOCIETY Spring ’26 Presented by Furniture Row

When: Saturday, May 2, 7:00 p.m.
Where: Furniture Row Showroom – 5445 Bannock St, Denver
Cost: $30+
The Lowdown:

Denver Fashion Week’s most elevated and couture-driven evening. This showcase highlights avant-garde collections, luxury craftsmanship and bold artistic expression. It’s a celebration of high fashion — where visionary design and dramatic silhouettes command the runway.

Family Day: YOUTH + MOMMY & ME Spring ’26 Presented by Furniture Row

When: Sunday, May 3, 3:00 p.m.
Where: Furniture Row Showroom – 5445 Bannock St, Denver
Cost: $30+
The Lowdown:

A heartwarming and high-energy experience celebrates the next generation of fashion. Featuring youth designers, young models and coordinated parent-child looks, this daytime runway brings together families, creativity and community in a joyful celebration of style at every.

STREETWEAR & SNEAKERS Spring ’26 Presented by Furniture Row

When: Tuesday, May 5, 6:00 p.m.
Where: Furniture Row Showroom – 5445 Bannock St, Denver
Cost: $30+
The Lowdown:

Streetwear & Sneakers taps into culture, edge and urban influence. This show highlights bold graphics, statement footwear, layered styling and trend-driven collections rooted in music, art and street culture. Expect high-impact energy and looks that define what’s next in everyday fashion.

MAXIMALISM Spring ’26 Presented by Furniture Row

When: Wednesday, May 6, 6:00 p.m.
Where: Furniture Row Showroom – 5445 Bannock St, Denver
Cost: $30+
The Lowdown:

Maximalism Night embraces fearless self-expression. Designers will showcase vibrant color stories, dramatic textures, exaggerated silhouettes and unapologetic styling. It’s a runway dedicated to more — more volume, more detail, more personality.

OUTERWEAR + ATHLEISURE Spring ’26 Presented by Furniture Row

When: Thursday, May 7, 6:00 p.m.
Where: Furniture Row Showroom – 5445 Bannock St, Denver
Cost: $30+
The Lowdown:

New for Spring 2026, Outerwear & Athleisure celebrates Colorado’s unique intersection of performance and polish. This show highlights technical innovation, structured outerwear, luxury sportswear and contemporary layering designed for movement and style.

ADAPTIVE Spring ’26 Presented by Furniture Row

When: Friday, May 8, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Furniture Row Showroom – 5445 Bannock St, Denver
Cost: $30+
The Lowdown:

Denver Fashion Week, in partnership with Guided By Humanity, invites you to a defining moment of the season, The Adaptive Runway Show, which spotlights inclusive design created for individuals of all abilities.

SWIM & RESORT WEAR Spring ’26 Presented by Furniture Row

When: Saturday, May 9 7:00 p.m.
Where: Furniture Row Showroom – 5445 Bannock St, Denver
Cost: $30+
The Lowdown:

Back by demand, Swimsuit & Resort Wear delivers high-energy glamour and vacation-ready style. Designers will present bold swim silhouettes, sculptural one-pieces, vibrant prints and flowing resort looks that set the tone for Summer 2026. It’s an evening of color, confidence and destination-inspired drama.

Source link

Denver, CO

Timberwolves to open NBA Playoffs at Denver Nuggets Saturday

Published

20 hours ago

April 13, 2026

Press Room

Timberwolves to open NBA Playoffs at Denver Nuggets Saturday

Kevin Garnett returns to Target Center for Timberwolves’ finale

Former Minnesota Timberwolves’ legend Kevin Garnett returned to Target Center Sunday night for the first time in eight years. He was escorted, along with his two daughters, to their courtside seats by owners Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore. He walked out to a standing ovation from fans, and a video tribute.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The Minnesota Timberwolves will face the Denver Nuggets to open the Western Conference Playoffs.

It’ll mark the third time in four seasons the two teams have met in the NBA Playoffs.

Timberwolves vs Nuggets playoff series

What we know:

The Nuggets rested several of their starters against the San Antonio Spurs Sunday night, but still got a 128-118 win to earn the No. 3 seed for the Western Conference Playoffs. The L.A. Lakers fell to the No. 4 spot despite beating the Utah Jazz 131-107 Sunday night.

The Timberwolves had already earned the No. 6 seed in the West last week. They got a 136-132 win over the Houston Rockets, and in Sunday’s regular season finale, beat the New Orleans Pelicans 132-126 to finish the season 49-33.

The Timberwolves probably would’ve preferred to have the Lakers get the No. 3 seed, with star guard Luka Doncic dealing with a hamstring injury. Guard Austin Reaves is also dealing with an oblique injury.

The Timberwolves and Nuggets will play a best-of-seven series, with games 3 and 4 at Target Center, as as well as a game 6, if necessary.

Timberwolves rivalry with Nuggets

Why you should care:

The two teams enter the Western Conference Playoffs with quite the rivalry. The Nuggets went 3-1 this year against the Timberwolves in the regular season.

Last year, the Timberwolves swept the regular season 4-0, then the two teams didn’t meet in the playoffs. Minnesota got to its second straight Western Conference Finals, and the Nuggets got eliminated by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Timberwolves and Nuggets went seven games in the 2024 Western Conference Semifinals, and in Game 7, Minnesota came back from a 20-point deficit to win and advance to its first Western Conference Finals in 20 years.

In 2023, the Nuggets beat the Timberwolves in the first round on the way to winning the NBA title. Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels both missed that series due to injuries.

In 2017, the Timberwolves ended a 13-year playoff drought, needing overtime to beat the Nuggets in a play-in game, 112-106.

Game 1 set for Saturday

What’s next:

The Timberwolves will travel to Denver and face the Nuggets in Game 1 of their playoff series at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. The game will be broadcast on Amazon Prime.

Minnesota TimberwolvesSports

Source link

Denver, CO

Projecting Nuggets’ Lineup vs. Spurs If Nikola Jokic Plays

Published

1 day ago

April 12, 2026

Press Room

Projecting Nuggets’ Lineup vs. Spurs If Nikola Jokic Plays

The Denver Nuggets have just one game left on their regular season calendar before their postseason action gets underway, as they’ll be tasked with a road trip against the West’s second-seeded San Antonio Spurs. And it’ll be a game for Denver where they’ll be without a significant chunk of their regular rotation.

No Jamal Murray, no Aaron Gordon, and neither starter on the wing in Christian Braun and Cameron Johnson will be suiting up in an effort to rest for the postseason. Nikola Jokic is listed as questionable, but is likely to play in order to meet the 65-game minimum required for end-of-season awards.

So, as the Nuggets’ lineup is set to be shorthanded in a night that could decide their final seeding in the Western Conference playoff picture, let’s take a peek at what their makeshift starting five could shake out to be:

PG: Bruce Brown

Mar 29, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Bruce Brown (11) reacts after a play in the second quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

While Tyus Jones could fill in as the starting point guard once again as he did against the OKC Thunder, this feels like the right moment for Bruce Brown to take those duties instead; someone who’s started just three games this season, but on pace to be one of 18 players around the league to play in all 82 regular-season games.

It’s hard to roll out an extremely small lineup against a team like the Spurs and hope for overwhelming success. Brown gives the Nuggets some upside in that size department, as well as their overall shotmaking.

SG: Tim Hardaway Jr.

Mar 24, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Outside of Jokic, Tim Hardaway Jr. is the easiest name to fill into the Nuggets’ makeshift starting five while without four of their regular starters, even while he might be making a last-effort push for those Sixth Man of the Year honors.

If the Nuggets want to pull off an upset victory over the Spurs to continue their lengthy win streak, they’ll have to cash in on a big offensive performance from Hardaway Jr., which could be well within play as he’ll become one of their de facto top options to look for on that side of the floor.

SF: Julian Strawther

Mar 24, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther (3) against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Julian Strawther has shifted around the Nuggets lineup more than anyone this year. He’s gone from the end of the rotation to a fill-in starter on the wing, and even a DNP as Denver has gotten healthier towards the end of the season.

This game against San Antonio presents a perfect opportunity for Strawther to get a well-deserved start on the wing next to Hardaway Jr. His shot-making has been at some of the best of his career this season, averaging career-high shooting numbers from the field (46.7) and from three (38.0).

PF: Nikola Jokic

Apr 6, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) after the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

This is where Nikola Jokic comes in. Against the size that San Antonio presents with an alien like Victor Wembanyama in the frontcourt, coming to match that with a double-big lineup as the three-time MVP slots in at the four could be an ideal setup for this game in particular.

As it concerns Jokic’s availability, if he does play, don’t be shocked if he’s only on the floor for 15 minutes rather than the whole game. That’s all he needs to remain eligible for end-of-season awards, and might be all David Adelman is asking of him.

C: Jonas Valanciunas

Apr 4, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas (17) leaves the court in the second quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

In an effort to try and match the Spurs’ length as best as possible, Jonas Valanciunas fills into the five in our lineup projections to do just that.

Surprisingly, Valanciunas has only started six games throughout his time with the Nuggets, and only one of those showings has been with him paired next to Jokic. But with the implications of Denver being shorthanded, along with their unique matchup of San Antonio, makes for the perfect opportunity to test the fit out once more before their playoff action gets underway next weekend.

Sign up for our free Denver Nuggets On SI newsletter, and get breaking Nuggets news delivered to your inbox daily!

Source link