Nikola Jokic delivered another masterclass as the Denver Nuggets outlasted the San Antonio Spurs 136-134 in overtime, winning a fast-paced game that also showcased Victor Wembanyama’s growing impact. The matchup had the feel of a playoff contest, with both stars producing elite numbers and the crowd at Ball Arena witnessing one of the most entertaining games of the season.
Jokic finished with 40 points, 13 assists, eight rebounds, three blocks and zero turnovers, while Wembanyama posted 34 points, 18 rebounds, seven assists and five blocks. Denver snapped San Antonio’s 11-game winning streak and extended its own run to eight straight victories.
Jokic’s late shot-making decides the game
The decisive moment came in the final minute of overtime, when Jokic backed down Wembanyama in the paint and turned to his signature step-back jumper, the “Sombor Shuffle.” The 11-foot shot gave Denver a crucial edge and left Wembanyama looking stunned after another difficult defensive possession against the three-time NBA MVP.
Jokic added another big basket shortly before the end, this time a floater with 9.8 seconds left. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said Jokic consistently punishes small mistakes, calling him the player who “has all the tricks, the counters and the skills to make you pay.”
Wembanyama delivers another historic line
Wembanyama still made a strong case of his own, especially across the paint and at the defensive end. His 34-point, 18-rebound effort made him the first Spurs player to record at least 30 points and 15 rebounds in three straight games, according to ESPN Research.
The performance also put him in rare company, becoming the first player since Shaquille O’Neal in his MVP season to produce three consecutive games with at least 30 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks. That stretch also included at least 100 points, 50 rebounds, 10 assists and 10 blocks over three games.
Key game flow
- San Antonio led 107-96 with 9:08 left in regulation.
- Denver answered with a 17-8 run to close the gap.
- Wembanyama made two free throws with 1:39 left to give the Spurs a six-point lead.
- Cameron Johnson hit a three-pointer and free throw to pull Denver within two at 1:24.
- Aaron Gordon tied it at 124-124 with 6.2 seconds remaining to force overtime.
In the extra period, Jokic scored seven points on 3-of-4 shooting, while Wembanyama finished the frame with only two points. Jokic’s control of the game stood out even more because he logged a third career outing with at least 40 points, 10 assists and three blocks, a feat surpassed only by Dwyane Wade since blocks began being tracked in the 1973-74 season.
A rivalry shaping the league’s future
Jokic improved to 5-2 against Wembanyama in their head-to-head meetings, but both stars left with stronger reputations after another high-level duel. Jokic said after the game that Wembanyama can “change basketball” and has the chance to become “the most unique basketball player to ever play the game.”
The numbers also underline how rare these matchups have become. Through three regular-season meetings, both teams have scored at least 130 points in every game, the first time since the 1983-84 season that two teams have each reached that mark in three games against each other in a season, according to ESPN Research. Denver and San Antonio were also the last teams to do it.
David Adelman said the game was worth the price of admission, and the final meeting between the teams on April 12 in San Antonio now carries added weight after a thriller that highlighted two of the league’s most unique talents.
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