DENVER — As seconds ticked away near the final minute of overtime with Denver leading San Antonio by two points, three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic dribbled into the paint as Victor Wembanyama crouched into a defensive stance.
Jokic backed down Wembanyama, then faked a pass to Christian Braun, before quickly unleashing his patented “Sombor Shuffle” for an 11-foot stepback jumper over the outstretched hand of the 7-foot-5 Frenchman.
Wembanyama looked away flabbergasted near the end of a Saturday afternoon bursting with back-and-forth breathtaking plays from a pair of the top candidates for this season’s NBA MVP award. Powered by Jokic’s game-high 40 points, 13 assists, 8 rebounds and three blocks with no turnovers, the Denver Nuggets snapped San Antonio’s 11-game winning streak and extended their own to eight with a 136-134 triumph in OT.
“I would pay to watch these two teams play,” Nuggets coach David Adelman said.
Certainly, several people agreed considering the sellout crowd of 20,039 at Ball Arena that had just watched Jokic string together his third-career outing with at least 40 points, 10 assists and 3 blocks. Only Dwyane Wade has recorded more such games (5) since blocks were first tracked (1973-74), according to ESPN Research. It was also Jokic’s seventh career game with at least 30 points and 10 assists with no turnovers.
Including the one-legged “Sombor Shuffle” bucket, Jokic nailed two big shots over Wembanyama in the last minute of overtime. The second was a floater with 9.8 seconds remaining over Wembanyama, who had rotated to Jokic on the play just a tick too late.
“He’s obviously the catalyst to make you pay for any subtle mistake or slippage,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said of Jokic. “He has all the tricks, the counters and the skills to make you pay.”
In a short, narrow hallway behind double doors next to the visiting locker room, Wembanyama plopped down and leaned forward in a plastic chair to soak in the experience of his seventh head-to-head battle against Jokic, who now owns a record of 5-2 in the matchup. The 22-year old led San Antonio with 34 points, 18 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 blocks, becoming the first Spur to score at least 30 points with 15 rebounds in three consecutive outings, according to ESPN Research.
Wembanyama also ranks as the first player since Shaquille O’Neal in his 1999-2000 MVP season to tally three consecutive games with at least 30 points, 15 rebounds and 3 blocks (O’Neal accomplished the feat in four straight contests) and the first since O’Neal in that ’99-00 MVP season to rack up at least 100 points, 50 rebounds, 10 assists and 10 blocks over a three-game span.
“I think it was an amazing game,” Wembanyama said. “Very fun. One of the most fun games. I wish we could have closed it out. Everything that happened tonight is good for us. It was a real test against a team that’s playing for something right now. It had a little bit of playoff vibes. They’ve got the best offensive player in the world. So, when you come into these games, you always have to be focused on defense.”
The Spurs led 107-96 with 9:08 left to play, before the Nuggets ran off a 17-8 run to pull within two points on a Jokic jumper with 4:12 left in regulation. San Antonio would regain a six-point advantage after Wembanyama nailed a pair of free throws with 1:39 remaining.
But on Denver’s next trip down the floor, Cameron Johnson drained a 24-footer off an assist from Jokic and was fouled by De’Aaron Fox in the process. Johnson hit the ensuing free throw to complete the four-point play, pulling the Nuggets within two points with 1:24 left in regulation. Aaron Gordon tied the game at 124-all with 6.2 seconds left to send the game into OT.
In the extra period, Jokic lit up the Spurs for 7 points on 3-of-4 shooting, while Wembanyama scored just two points over that span. But in playing a season-high 40 minutes, Wembanyama left a lasting impression on Jokic, who was already enamored with the Frenchman.
“I think the first time I played against him; I told you guys he’s gonna change the league. He’s gonna change basketball,” Jokic said. “I still think that. And I think he has an opportunity, a chance to be the most unique basketball player to ever play the game.”
Through three regular-season matchups, the Spurs and Nuggets have each scored 130-plus points, the first time two teams have each reeled off 130 points in three clashes against one another within a season since 1983-84, according to ESPN Research.
Interestingly, San Antonio and Denver were the last teams to accomplish that feat.
So, buckle up for the April 12 season finale between the teams in San Antonio.
“They’re probably the two most unique players in the last decade in basketball [with] the way they get things done,” Adelman said of Jokic and Wembanyama. “Their skillsets are so different than other guys in the league. Two amazing players. This is a game you buy a ticket to watch.”
