Nikola Jokic Tops Victor Wembanyama in Overtime Duel as Nuggets Clip Spurs 136-134
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DENVER — Nikola Jokic poured in 40 points and hit two decisive shots in overtime, steering the Denver Nuggets past the San Antonio Spurs 136-134 on Saturday afternoon, April 4, at Ball Arena.
The three-time NBA MVP finished with 40 points, 13 assists, eight rebounds and three blocks without a turnover, ending San Antonio’s 11-game winning streak while stretching Denver’s run to eight. His line marked his third career game with at least 40 points, 10 assists and three blocks; only Dwyane Wade (five) owns more since blocks became an official stat in 1973-74, according to ESPN Research.
With 40 seconds left in overtime and the Nuggets up two, Jokic backed down Victor Wembanyama, faked a pass and drilled his signature 11-foot “Sombor Shuffle” over the 7-foot-5 rookie. He followed with a floater over Wembanyama with 9.8 seconds remaining to seal the result.
“I would pay to watch these two teams play,” Denver coach David Adelman said after the sellout crowd of 20,039 witnessed the showdown.
Wembanyama Posts Another Historic Line
Wembanyama countered with 34 points, 18 rebounds, seven assists and five blocks in a season-high 40 minutes. The 22-year-old became the first Spur to record at least 30 points and 15 rebounds in three consecutive games and the first player since Shaquille O’Neal’s 1999-2000 MVP season to notch three straight outings of 30-plus points, 15-plus rebounds and at least three blocks.
“It was a real test against a team that’s playing for something right now,” Wembanyama said. “They’ve got the best offensive player in the world, so you always have to be focused on defense.”
Late Rally Forces Overtime
San Antonio led 107-96 with 9:08 left in regulation before Denver reeled off a 17-8 burst. A Jokic jumper pulled the hosts within two with 4:12 remaining. After Wembanyama’s free throws restored a six-point Spurs edge at 1:39, Cameron Johnson answered with a four-point play, and Aaron Gordon tied it at 124-124 on a layup with 6.2 seconds left, sending the game to overtime.
Jokic scored seven of Denver’s 12 OT points on 3-of-4 shooting, while Wembanyama managed two in the extra session. Jokic now holds a 5-2 record in head-to-head meetings with the French phenom.
The clubs have combined for at least 130 points in all three meetings this season, the first pair of teams to do so three times in a year since the 1983-84 campaign. Their regular-season series concludes April 12 in San Antonio.
“They’re probably the two most unique players in the last decade,” Adelman said. “This is a game you buy a ticket to watch.”
Source: ESPN
