DENVER — The San Antonio Spurs rang in 2025 with a huge 113-110 road victory over the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on Friday night, the first of a home-and-home weekend set.
The victory is the second straight for San Antonio, who moved up into eighth place in the Western Conference and just 2 1/2 games out of sixth place.
In case you missed it, here are three takeaways from the Spurs’ win over Denver:
The Alien vs. The Joker
It was the first time the Spurs matched up with the Nuggets this season, meaning it was the first meeting of the year between Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic. With all the talk of the NBA suffering a drop in ratings, if Friday night is any indication, the league is in good hands with these two talented big men.
Wembanyama finished with 35 points, 18 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal. He drained two huge three-pointers, including a nasty step back, showing why he is the future star of the league. His length and size went up against Jokic, which meant he was in foul trouble, with five and managed to will San Antonio to the win.
The game was the 100th of Wembanyama’s career.
“It’s a lot of experience and a lot of mistakes, lots of struggles, not enough wins. It’s a hell of an adventure,” Wemby said of his 100th game.
On the other side, Jokic had 41 points, 18 rebounds and nine assists. He had a chance to win the game for Denver but Wembanyama’s length effected the play and Devin Vassell stole the pass to seal the win.
Finishing the job
After a string of close losses in New York and Minnesota, the Spurs were determined to finish the job on both ends of the floor and they did exactly that.
On the final play, the Nuggets went to Jokic and he was double teamed by Keldon Johnson and Wemby, forcing a bad pass into Vassell’s hands that would seal the win.
“Trying to get it out of Jokic’s hands, we didn’t want him shooting it,” Vassell said of the final play. “KJ had a big play. I just watched it coming over and I just needed to make a play in the passing lanes, and that’s what happened.”
Confidence booster
Friday’s win is also likely to serve as a confidence booster for the young Spurs squad, defeating a championship contending team, on the road in a tough environment.
“It should serve as a reference point moving forward to give us the confidence that were capable of doing what we did,” Spurs Acting Coach Mitch Johnson said of the win.
Up next:
The Spurs are now 18-16 on the season and will return to the court on Saturday to close out their weekend set with Denver at the Frost Bank Center.
