The reigning champions are off to a strong start against the Spurs, now without Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan for the end of the season. Nikola Jokic takes Victor Wembanyama speed, once dribbling, another on the quickly played restart, and it makes 9-2. Wemby returns it well with a left-handed spoon shot, then with a counter! But the Joker gives him a little dunk on the nose, stealthily, playing the carrot! In the duel of the European pivots, Jokic put up 15 points (including 3 dunks) and 8 rebounds in the first quarter, when Wemby scored 12 and 6. Denver won the period with a 7-point lead (30-23).
The Spurs made up for this delay from the start in the second quarter. And they will even take the advantage as Malaki Branham catches fire from afar at 3/3, and scores a 5/5 for 15 points over the period. Wembanyama returns to the game and gets noticed: he counters Porter Jr. and scores two easy points under the circle. Under his leadership, San Antonio even went 18-4 to take a little lead. A lead quickly erased by the Nuggets, including this spectacular shot passing under Gordon's circle. At half-time, the locals were ahead, but only by one point (55-54).
Jokic – Wemby, duel of artists
The Wembanyama festival resumes without fail after returning from the locker rooms. The French pivot, who is already at 4 counters, strikes two in a row, which allows the Spurs to play the recovery. And then, Wemby also takes care of planting a 3-pointer which causes Mike Malone's timeout at the start of the third quarter. It works for the Rockies veterans who regain the upper hand thanks to a 15-3 in three minutes, including the classic Jokic – Gordon alley-oop. If Jokic takes full advantage of every moment without Wemby, the Spurs turn their backs and ultimately still remain a small point behind Denver before the last quarter (86-85).
In a match where big gaps are rare, the Nuggets try to mount a breakaway at the start of the last quarter, taking +11, the biggest of the match. But San Antonio hangs on again and again with Tre Jones who achieves his third career triple-double (when Wemby flirts with the quadruple-double). Denver is silent offensively for 4 minutes, which allows Mamukelashvili to chain 3-points and dunk to put his team back in front, for a 12-0. In a tight end to the match, Jokic and Wemby responded tit for tat in the last minute to equalize. But it's Porter who scores the 3-pointer that definitely tips the scales (110-105).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The immense Jokic – Wembanyama duel. From the first quarter to “money time”, whether to get started or to argue for the fate of the match, the two pivots engaged in a fantastic duel throughout the match. So much so that longtime Spurs beatwriter Tom Orsborn remarked that Victor Wembanyama had never been so tired after a match. It must be said that the tricolor was not idle in 34 minutes (at altitude) with 23 points (but 9/29 on shots), 15 rebounds, 9 blocks and 8 assists, very close to the quadruple-double. Facing him, the double Serbian MVP lived up to his reputation with a mammoth game of 42 points (18/32), 16 rebounds and 6 assists. A duel delight that could combine with FIBA basketball next summer… “Victor gained a lot of respect tonight, because Nikola is the best,” remarked Gregg Popovich. “Victor wanted to defend on him and it proves that he really wants to become one of the best too. That says a lot and he's learning every minute. »
– The Nuggets regain control of the West. While the Thunder lost in Philadelphia earlier in the evening, the Nuggets did not hold back to steal first place in the Western Conference. Knowing that Minnesota also remains in ambush, victorious on their side against Houston. With six games still to go, three of which are very affordable against Utah, then Memphis and again San Antonio, the reigning champions will probably not let go.
– An encouraging defeat for young Spurs. If San Antonio ended up bowing to Jokic and the Nuggets, their unfailing valor was underlined by Gregg Popovich afterwards. A Pop happy with the exemplary attitude of his troops: “This is one of the most competitive matches I have participated in in several years. For 48 minutes, in difficult circumstances, these guys played hard. Their effort for 48 minutes was very impressive, the best this season. Losing never feels good, but seeing how far we've come this season is a real joy. »
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
