Denver Nuggets at San Antonio Spurs
· National Basketball AssociationJokic scores 31, Nuggets top Spurs 117-106 in front of record crowd in Texas' capital city
Jamal Murray added 15 points and 10 assists for Denver, which won its fifth straight game and for the 11th time in 12 games to remain atop the Western Conference standings.
Jeremy Sochan scored 19 points and Devin Vassell and Victor Wembanyama each had 17 points for San Antonio, which lost its third straight.
The Spurs have played in Austin the last two seasons to broaden their reach financially and build their fan base. The move proved a popular choice as the Spurs set the attendance record for a sporting event at the Moody Center with 16,223 on Friday.
Still, Nuggets coach Michael Malone was concerned his team would not have the right mindset, since Austin is not a traditional NBA city.
“It has a preseason feel to it,” Malone said. “I hope for our players that once the jump ball goes up that we understand this is not the preseason, this is a real game. We have to lock in and give it the attention and respect that it deserves.”
The game had its difficulties logistically. Teams were unfamiliar with where to go in the stadium. Monitors and video boards for statistics were not updating or were completely out, and Spurs radio announcer Bill Schoening had to deliver his broadcast over his cellphone.
But, any concern Malone had about how the defending NBA champions would respond were quickly dashed.
The Nuggets shot 55% from the field and led by as many as 21 points.
Wembanyama opened the game by blocking and gathering a short jumper by Jokic in the paint.
Despite the early block, Denver attacked the rim with impunity. Aaron Gordon had an alley-oop dunk one possession after dunking with Wembanyama trailing closely. Michael Porter Jr. followed by completing a three-point play on a contested layup and foul by Julian Champagnie.
Porter finished with 13 points and Gordon had seven.
Denver went on a 12-0 run in the opening quarter and built a 19-point lead.
The Spurs cut their deficit to 81-77 on Keldon Johnson’s contested layup against Jokic with 1:23 remaining in third, but the Nuggets quickly rebuilt a double-digit lead in the fourth.
UP NEXT
Nuggets: At Dallas on Sunday night.
Spurs: Host Brooklyn on Sunday night.
Regular Season Series
DEN leads series 2-0
Matchup Prediction
Recent Plays
4th 0.0 | End of Game | 117 - 106 | |
4th 0.0 | End of the 4th Quarter | 117 - 106 | |
4th 4.0 | shot clock turnover | 117 - 106 | |
4th 29.2 | Victor Wembanyama makes dunk | 117 - 106 | |
4th 29.2 | Victor Wembanyama offensive rebound | 117 - 104 |
Statistics
DEN | SA | |
---|---|---|
49-89 | FG | 37-81 |
55.1 | Field Goal % | 45.7 |
10-25 | 3PT | 11-29 |
40.0 | Three Point % | 37.9 |
9-12 | FT | 21-27 |
75.0 | Free Throw % | 77.8 |
40 | Rebounds | 44 |
7 | Offensive Rebounds | 12 |
33 | Defensive Rebounds | 32 |
37 | Assists | 23 |
13 | Steals | 6 |
5 | Blocks | 4 |
12 | Turnovers | 16 |
1 | Team Turnovers | 1 |
13 | Total Turnovers | 17 |
1 | Technical Fouls | 0 |
1 | Total Technical Fouls | 0 |
0 | Flagrant Fouls | 0 |
15 | Points Off Turnovers | 27 |
18 | Fast Break Points | 15 |
64 | Points in Paint | 44 |
20 | Fouls | 13 |
21 | Largest Lead | 2 |
Game Information
Location: Austin, TX
Attendance: 16,223 · Capacity:
2023-24 Northwest Standings
TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oklahoma City | 57 | 25 | .695 | - | W5 |
Denver | 57 | 25 | .695 | - | W1 |
Minnesota | 56 | 26 | .683 | 1 | L1 |
Utah | 31 | 51 | .378 | 26 | L1 |
Portland | 21 | 61 | .256 | 36 | L5 |
2023-24 Southwest Standings
TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dallas | 50 | 32 | .610 | - | L2 |
New Orleans | 49 | 33 | .598 | 1 | L1 |
Houston | 41 | 41 | .500 | 9 | W2 |
Memphis | 27 | 55 | .329 | 23 | L5 |
San Antonio | 22 | 60 | .268 | 28 | W2 |
NBA News
Why Stephen A. predicts a Timberwolves sweep over the Nuggets
Stephen A. Smith breaks down why he sees the Timberwolves sweeping the Nuggets.
Stephen A. lets Perk hear it, voices his trepidation about the Knicks
Stephen A. Smith gets fired up explaining to Kendrick Perkins that the Knicks haven't yet gotten over the playoff hump.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle fined $35K for criticizing refs
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle has been fined $35,000 for criticizing the officiating during his team's playoff series against the Knicks.
Stephen A. perplexed by Jayson Tatum's playoff performance
Stephen A. Smith calls out Jayson Tatum after his disappointing showing in Game 2 for the Celtics.
Is it fair to blame KD for high coaching turnover?
Jay Williams examines the legacy of Kevin Durant's former coaches without him in defense of KD.