In Tuesday night’s 110-105 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, two-time MVP Nikola Jokic scored 42 points and outperformed Rookie of the Year frontrunner Victor Wembanyama to reclaim sole possession of first place in the Western Conference.
Jokic also had six assists and 16 rebounds. With 23 points, 15 rebounds, 8 assists, and 9 blocks, Wembanyama was quite productive. Jokic claimed that he had to do so in order to score three of his points on uncommon dunks while playing against the outstanding youngster.
Jokic added, “He had like 600 blocks tonight, but we got the win,” as Denver overtook Oklahoma City at the top of the Western Conference playoff standings.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, who earlier in the evening fell short of Philadelphia 109-105, now trail the Nuggets (53-23) by a half-game. After defeating Houston 113-106, the Minnesota Timberwolves (52-23) maintained their lead over Oklahoma City.
A 103-103 stalemate was broken by Jokic’s hook shot, but with one minute left, Wembanyama’s layup at the other end tied the score once more.
Michael Porter Jr., who had 15 points and a career-best 16 rebounds, made a 3 with 28 seconds left to put Denver up 108-105 and Wembanyama missed a 3-pointer with 18 seconds left but the Spurs burned 10 seconds before Wembanyama fouled Jokic, who sank both free throws with 8 seconds remaining.
The Nuggets had a tough time shaking off the scrappy Spurs, taking a one-point lead into both halftime and the fourth quarter before Denver’s reserves used an 11-2 run to start the fourth quarter while Jokic was grabbing his usual breather on the bench.
Jokic returned with Denver ahead 99-92 but back-to-back 3s by Tre Jones, who had his third career triple-double (10 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists), and Sandro Mamukelashvili tightened it up again, setting up a thrilling finish with Jokic and Wembanyama going at it until the very end.
The Spurs, who were without Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan, and Devin Vassell due to foot injuries, were no easy opponent for the Nuggets, who were playing without point guard Jamal Murray (knee) for the sixth straight game.
Seven players scored in double figures for San Antonio, led by Malaki Branham’s 24 points.
Murray missed his sixth consecutive game due to right knee discomfort, shin splints, a sprained left ankle, and other ailments.