DENVER — Victor Wembanyama stole Nikola Jokic‘s move with 4 seconds left, and the San Antonio Spurs held on to beat the Denver Nuggets 113-110 on Friday night time.
Wembanyama completed with 35 factors and 18 rebounds to assist the Spurs overcome a giant night time from Jokic. The three-time MVP had 41 factors, 18 rebounds and 9 assists, falling simply in need of his fifteenth triple-double.
It marked the sixth sport because the NBA/ABA merger in 1976 — and first since 2019 — to characteristic dueling 35-point, 15-rebound performances.
Denver had the ball down by one with 17 seconds left. Jokic tried to move to a teammate, however Wembanyama intercepted it and fed Devin Vassell for a game-sealing dunk.
“I believe he is higher this yr than final yr, and I believe he’ll get even higher,” Jokic mentioned of Wembanyama. “I believe he is a particular participant. I believe he is considered one of a sort and goes to be remembered perpetually.”
Wembanyama relished the chance to play in opposition to Jokic, saying the expertise may solely assist him enhance.
“Multiple-time MVP, quickly to be MVP once more,” he mentioned of Jokic. “Can’t ask for a greater option to get higher.”
Michael Porter Jr. missed a 34-footer on the buzzer that might have despatched it to additional time. He completed with 22 factors for the Nuggets, whose three-game profitable streak ended.
Spurs interim coach Mitch Johnson credited his staff’s composure.
“I believed each time they’d us on the ropes, I believed we type of composed ourselves and fought ourselves again into the sport, which was good to see,” he mentioned.
Wembanyama picked up his fifth foul with 8:46 left however shook it off to hit two deep 3-pointers to present San Antonio a 97-92 lead with 7:52 left.
Denver rallied to guide by 5, however the Spurs scored six straight factors to take a 109-108 lead and arrange the ultimate moments.
Wembanyama, who turns 21 on Saturday, now has three profession 35-point, 15-rebound video games, breaking a tie with Shaquille O’Neal for the second-most such video games in NBA historical past earlier than a participant’s twenty first birthday. John Drew leads the way in which with 4.
Jokic, in the meantime, recorded his seventh profession sport with not less than 40 factors, 15 rebounds and 5 assists, breaking a tie with Joel Embiid for the second-most such video games because the merger (Giannis Antetokounmpo has 9). Jokic took 36 pictures, the second most of his profession.
“I really like him being that aggressive,” Denver coach Michael Malone mentioned. “He scored 41 factors tonight, had 18 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals. And the way in which they have been taking part in him, one-on-one protection, and so they have been down the ground on pick-and-rolls, and he shot the 3-ball with confidence. He’s among the best 3-point shooters within the NBA this yr, so I beloved how aggressive he was.”
Takeaways
Spurs: Wembanyama was unstoppable at instances but additionally dedicated eight turnovers to just about register an undesirable triple-double. The remainder of the staff had solely six turnovers.
Nuggets: They have been conscious about Wembanyama’s presence on protection, dribbling by the paint and capturing fadeaways. Porter confirmed no worry when he dunked with 2:35 left with Wembanyama close to the rim.
Key second
The groups hit a flurry of 3-pointers halfway by the third quarter. The Spurs hit three in a row and Denver made two straight to mix for 15 factors in a span of 67 seconds.
Key stat
The Nuggets fell to 2-5 within the first leg of a back-to-back. They have gained all six video games of the second leg heading into Saturday night time.
Up subsequent
The groups meet once more Saturday night time in San Antonio.
Information from ESPN Research and The Associated Press was used on this report.
