In a surprising result, the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Denver Nuggets 113-110 on Friday night in Denver, showcasing the growing potential of their young core led by Victor Wembanyama.
Despite the Nuggets entering the game as one of the Western Conference’s top teams, the Spurs stole the show with a determined performance and a dominant outing from their second-year phenom.
Wembanyama, going head-to-head with two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, delivered a sensational performance, finishing with 35 points and 18 rebounds. His contributions proved decisive in the Spurs’ ability to secure the road victory, particularly in a fourth quarter where Denver’s shooting woes were on full display.
Jokic, continuing what has been a career-best season, nearly matched Wembanyama’s output, posting an impressive 41 points, 18 rebounds, and nine assists. However, even his brilliance couldn’t overcome the Nuggets’ struggles as a team. Denver converted just 29.2% of their field-goal attempts in the final quarter, allowing San Antonio to capitalize.
Denver held the lead entering the fourth quarter but faltered in crunch time. Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, who struggled throughout the game, shouldered the blame in his post-game comments. “I put this loss on me,” Murray said. “I missed too many shots throughout the game to give us a chance.” Murray finished the night with just six makes on 17 attempts and failed to score in the final period.
The Spurs’ balanced effort was highlighted by Wembanyama’s dominance, but they also received key contributions from players like Tre Jones, who provided defensive energy against Murray in the critical moments of the game. The victory marks a significant step for the Spurs, who entered the season as a rebuilding squad yet now find themselves competing closely with playoff contenders like Denver.
For the Nuggets, the loss highlights an ongoing concern with consistency. While Jokic continues to deliver MVP-caliber performances, the team will need more reliable contributions from its supporting cast to maintain its standing in the competitive Western Conference.
Denver will have an immediate opportunity to respond as they head to San Antonio for the second half of the back-to-back on Saturday. For the Spurs, the win serves as a confidence booster, particularly for Wembanyama, who continues to show why he was one of the most hyped draft prospects in recent history.
As the Nuggets regroup and the Spurs build on their momentum, Friday’s game serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of the NBA season, where emerging talent can challenge even the league’s top teams.