San Antonio Spurs Rookie Victor Wembanyama Reveals Why Denver Nuggets Were 'Great Challenge'
The San Antonio Spurs experienced the championship-level pedigree of the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night, as the Spurs dropped their 12th straight game in a 132-120 loss at Ball Arena.
Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama said after the game that it was clear to him why the Nuggets have been so successful, including on their run to their first-ever championship last season.
"I can see why they [Denver Nuggets] won it [NBA championship]," Wembanyama said. "It's a very balanced team. It feels like they know each other well. It's a great challenge every time we play them."
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) controls the ball as San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) guards in the third quarter at Ball Arena.
© Isaiah J. Downing, USA TODAY
The challenge clearly didn't faze Wembanyama. Despite the loss, he had one of his better all-around games of the season. He reached the 20-point mark for the the third straight game while putting together an impressive defensive effort, finishing with a team-high 22 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, four blocks and a career-high six steals.
He did this while putting together some highlight sequences, reminding Spurs fans that there's still things to feel happy about despite the long losing streak.
San Antonio still has three more matchups against the Nuggets this season, which means more opportunity for the young group to pin itself against the NBA's best. The Spurs host Denver on Friday, March 15 before traveling back to the Mile High City for a meeting on Tuesday, April 2. The two teams will then head back to San Antonio for their third and final meeting in the second-to-last game of the regular season on Friday, April 12.
The Spurs will have their next chance to end the losing streak when they host Trae Young, Dejounte Murray and the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday at the Frost Bank Center.
