According to Chris Haynes of TNT Sports, the Denver Nuggets have made the decision to forgo their scheduled visit to the White House on March 18th. Instead, they will focus on their upcoming game against the Minnesota Timberwolves the following night.
The Nuggets were initially slated to celebrate their 2022-23 title with the customary trip to the White House. However, they have chosen to prioritize their preparation for a crucial matchup against the Timberwolves, who currently hold the top seed in the Western Conference.
Despite being third in the Western Conference standings with a record of 42-20, the Nuggets are just one game behind the Timberwolves, who boast a record of 43-19.
Given the tight race in the West, their upcoming games against the Timberwolves could play a significant role in determining the top seed or breaking a potential tiebreaker between the two contenders.
Originally, the Nuggets were scheduled to visit the White House in January during their trip to face the Washington Wizards. However, due to scheduling conflicts on the White House’s end, the event was canceled.
Skipping visits to the White House became a trend during Donald Trump’s presidency due to his controversial views on player activism and freedom of speech. This trend reversed somewhat after Joe Biden took office, with teams like the Milwaukee Bucks and Golden State Warriors making visits after winning NBA titles.
The Nuggets, who have shown glimpses of their championship form from last season with a 6-1 record since the All-Star break, are determined to secure the top seed in the West.
With the Eastern Conference dominated by the NBA-leading Boston Celtics, the Western Conference is witnessing a tight race, with four teams within 2.5 games of each other at the top and six teams within four games vying for the last two automatic playoff berths.
As the season approaches its conclusion, the competition in the West intensifies as teams vie for playoff positions. The Nuggets are leaving no stone unturned in their quest for the top seed, even if it means passing up an opportunity to meet the President of the United States.
