The Denver Nuggets got back on track on Sunday night, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 132-120 in one of Denver’s only home games over the next couple of weeks.
Victor Wembanyama put on a show for the Spurs, displaying exactly why he was drafted with the top selection of the 2023 NBA Draft back in June. His matchups with Nikola Jokic were incredibly fun, and the two had success against each other in a nice showing of the present and future of the NBA. Wemby put up an incredible 22 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, six steals, and four blocks in just under 25 minutes, and the entire experience was incredible to witness in person.
But it was Jokic and the Nuggets who ultimately got the last laugh, putting up 39 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists in his 34 minutes. Jokic attempted another 29 shots, making 17 of them and staying efficient despite some misses. Jokic and Wemby were matched up several times throughout the game, and while they didn’t guard each other exclusively, it was an interesting perspective throughout the evening. Jokic tossed floaters above Wemby’s outstretched arms and battered the Spurs on the inside, something they simply couldn’t handle throughout the entire game.
Michael Porter Jr. on Victor Wembanyama:
“At the end of the day, he’s still a human being.” pic.twitter.com/3ob9JZQCTg
— Ryan Blackburn (@NBABlackburn) November 27, 2023
The Nuggets played better defense tonight than they have on most of the road trip, and while the fourth quarter wasn’t their best showing, the Nuggets locked in during the middle of the game to provide some separation. The Nuggets starters played great defense in that stretch, as did Christian Braun and Peyton Watson. Watson in particular affected the game with his energy and hustle, finding opportunities to impact things by simply playing hard and contesting shots.
“He was our Defensive Player of the Game,” said Michael Malone postgame of Peyton Watson. “I told him in front of the team, I said you deserve this tonight, and my challenge to you is can you bring the same energy and effort every night?”
Watson didn’t fill up the box score entirely, but he had four points, four rebounds, two assists, and three stocks in 22 minutes, including a block on a corner three late in the shot clock that was pure hustle combined with athleticism.
“When he does that every night, he’s a difference maker,” Malone emphasized.
This is the Peyton Watson the Nuggets love pic.twitter.com/VM961caLgj
— Katy Winge (@katywinge) November 27, 2023
Not to be outdone, the Nuggets offense was special against a suspect Spurs defense. If Wembanyama wasn’t directly involved in a block or a steal, then the Nuggets probably scored on the possession. Jokic led the charge with his scoring and playmaking, but it was Michael Porter Jr. who got things going as a scorer. Porter had 25 points on 8-of-14 from the field and 4-of-9 from three-point range, another efficient volume shooting performance. Porter is finding a nice rhythm after starting the season slowly.
Reggie Jackson and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope each played well too. Jackson had 20 points, seven rebounds, and six assists in his 28 minutes, turning the ball over a couple of times but fighting hard on every possession. Wemby may have scored over the top of Jackson a couple of times, but Jackson’s willingness to contest every shot was admirable. Caldwell-Pope also had 16 points and six assists of his own, shooting 5-of-7 from the field and 2-of-4 from three. His efficiency and effectiveness as a scorer has ticked up in recent weeks.
Justin Holiday started in place of Aaron Gordon, who missed the game with a right heel strain. Holiday was effective filling in the gaps, even if he wasn’t filling up box score stats. The team defended better with him in the lineup, and Holiday can space the floor in the corners as a shooter, though he went 1-of-4 from three tonight.
The Nuggets needed that win. They needed to get back on track, and Jokic and others figured it out in a big way. Now, it’s on everyone to find another gear on the road. The Nuggets are now 8-0 at home to start the season, but they’re just 3-6 on the road and have struggled to bring the same energy and intensity into other buildings. Some of that is not having Jamal Murray, a veteran point guard and leader, to set the tone and calm the team down. It’s still important for the entire team to find some level of success without him.
“I’m still trying to figure out what it is to be honest,” Porter shared about Denver’s struggles on the road. “I think all of us are kind of frustrated trying to figure out why we play so different, with a different pace, running more at home. I don’t know what it is.”
Denver plays a back-to-back against the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night. They come back to Denver on Wednesday to face the Houston Rockets (again) before going back on the road for another four game road trip. Can tonight’s game against the Spurs be used as momentum?
Time will tell.
Final Rotations
