Two-time MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets took down likely Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs 110-105 in a battle between two of the game’s best big men on Monday night.
Both put up giant stat lines. Jokic led the game in scoring with 42 points on 18-of-32 shooting and added 16 rebounds and six assists, including a masterful full-court dime to Justin Holiday.
Not to be outdone, Wembanyama posted a near-quadruple-double, finishing with 23 points, 15 rebounds, eight assists, and nine blocks. He capped off his defensive masterpiece with a stunning rejection on Reggie Jackson down the stretch.
The Spurs went on a 12-0 run in the final minutes led by Wembanyama’s two-way play to take a brief lead. But Jokic’s experience was the difference as the Nuggets avoided an upset.
After the game, legendary veteran head coach Gregg Popovich was in awe of the skill level, telling reporters, including the San Antonio Express-News’ Tom Orsborn, that the tilt was “one of the most competitive games he’s been a part of for many years.”
Reflecting on the matchup with his talented counterpart, Jokic was honest about getting swatted on a handful of occasions.
“He got like six, seven blocks on me, but we won the game, so that’s a good thing,” Jokic told the Altitude TV broadcast.
It was also a historic night for Jokic, who passed Carmelo Anthony for third on Denver’s all-time scoring list.
