SI

Nikola Jokić, Victor Wembanyama Put on Show for the Ages in Nuggets–Spurs

Tom Dierberger

Nuggets center Nikola Jokic controls the ball as San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama defends in the paint.
Nuggets center Nikola Jokic controls the ball as San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama defends in the paint. / Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
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Two star centers collided Tuesday in one of the most memorable games of the 2023–24 NBA season, a drama-filled 110–105 win for the Denver Nuggets over the San Antonio Spurs at Ball Arena.

Nuggets star Nikola Jokić, arguably the current best basketball player in the world, starred in a clash of titans against Spurs rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama, who certainly looks like he has the chops to wear that crown one day.

It all started in the first quarter when the two big men exchanged blows over a 40-second sequence. Wembanyama rolled in a layup over an outstretched Jokić, who then ran down the floor and was stuffed near the rim by the rookie. On the ensuing possession, Wembanyama grabbed an offensive rebound and a kissed a layup off the glass. But it was Jokić who would get the last laugh, throwing down a thunderous slam over Wembanyama just moments later.

The game went down to the wire. Wembanyama tied the game at 105 with 1:02 remaining, and subsequently swatted a floater from Nuggets guard Reggie Jackson on the other end of the court. But Wembanyama missed a go-ahead 14-foot jumper, and Jokić grabbed the rebound and pushed the ball down the floor for Michael Porter Jr.'s go-ahead three-pointer. Jokić added a couple of free throws in the closing seconds to secure the win.

When all was said and done, Jokić had compiled 42 points, 16 rebounds, six assists and two blocks. Wembanyama nearly finished with a quadruple-double, logging 23 points, 15 rebounds, nine blocks and eight assists in 34 minutes.

Wembanyama and the Spurs are leaving Denver without a win. The rookie displayed his elite skills and potential, only to be outdone by Jokić, the two-time MVP.

A matchup for the books, and one NBA fans will hope to see plenty more of in the future.

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Tom Dierberger
TOM DIERBERGER

Tom Dierberger is a staff writer and editor on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in November 2023 after stints at FOX Sports, Bally Sports and NBC Sports. Dierberger has a bachelor's in communication from St. John's University. In his spare time, he can be seen throwing out his arm while playing fetch with his dog, Walter B. Boy.

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