Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray produced a stunning rally in Denver, overturning a huge deficit to hand the Spurs a rare setback… YankeeSports reports.
Murray leads the charge
Jamal Murray was unstoppable, scoring 39 points and hitting the decisive free throws late in the game. His three-pointer midway through the fourth quarter gave Denver its first lead at 121-119, sparking an 11-0 run that turned the contest around.
Murray reflected afterwards: “We stayed patient, trusted each other, and kept fighting. That’s what championship teams do.”
Jokic’s triple-double brilliance
Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic added 31 points, 20 rebounds, and 12 assists, delivering yet another dominant triple-double. His presence in the paint and vision in transition proved vital as Denver outscored San Antonio 42-25 in the final quarter.
Spencer Jones chipped in with 19 points, Cameron Johnson had 15, and Christian Braun added 11 to complete the comeback.
Spurs miss Wembanyama
San Antonio were without Victor Wembanyama, sidelined with right ankle soreness after pregame warmups. The Spurs had been 10-5 without him this season, but this time they faltered despite a strong showing from rookie guard Stephon Castle, who posted 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists for his third career triple-double.
Jaylen Brown scored 27 points, while Devin Vassell added 18. Yet, the Spurs lost for the first time in 22 games when holding a 20-point lead.
What’s next
The Nuggets will travel to Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Saturday in a marquee Western Conference clash. Meanwhile, the Spurs head to Milwaukee on Tuesday night, hoping to rebound quickly after their streak was snapped.
Denver’s resilience, powered by Jokic and Murray, underlines their championship credentials as they continue to chase top seeding in the West.
