Troy Renck: Nervy win by #Nuggets over Spurs, 122-111, in OT. Jokic, despite looking exhausted at times, finished with 46 points, 10 assists, 9 rebounds. MPJ delivered in big way in second half and posted 28 points and 10 boards. Nice bounce back after letting one slip away on Friday.
Source: x.com
Source: x.com
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Game 35: Jokic takes over in overtime to help Nuggets defeat Spurs open.substack.com/pub/thespotups… pic.x.com/2bDRhEAJhN – 12:46 AM
Game 35: Jokic takes over in overtime to help Nuggets defeat Spurs open.substack.com/pub/thespotups… pic.x.com/2bDRhEAJhN – 12:46 AM
Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Nikola Jokic continues to show why he’s always an MVP candidate.
46 points on 19-of-35. The Nuggets went to him every time, and he delivered.
Don’t sleep on MPJ and Peyton Watson though.
For @MileHighSports
milehighsports.com/denver-nuggets… – 11:43 PM
Nikola Jokic continues to show why he’s always an MVP candidate.
46 points on 19-of-35. The Nuggets went to him every time, and he delivered.
Don’t sleep on MPJ and Peyton Watson though.
For @MileHighSports
milehighsports.com/denver-nuggets… – 11:43 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Dominant Jokic here in OT. Just got 3 offensive taps on one possession before finally putting it home to put the Nuggets up 7. – 10:36 PM
Dominant Jokic here in OT. Just got 3 offensive taps on one possession before finally putting it home to put the Nuggets up 7. – 10:36 PM
Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Look at Malone grinning ear to ear after that P-Wat pass for Joker And-1. – 10:27 PM
Look at Malone grinning ear to ear after that P-Wat pass for Joker And-1. – 10:27 PM
Michael C. Wright @mikecwright
Nikola Jokic has attempted 30 shots in consecutive games for the first time in his career. – 10:25 PM
Nikola Jokic has attempted 30 shots in consecutive games for the first time in his career. – 10:25 PM
Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Joker hesitated just a little bit because he didn’t want to shoot too early.
Great play drawn up by Malone.
Clear foul on Wemby on the landing space foul. – 10:24 PM
Joker hesitated just a little bit because he didn’t want to shoot too early.
Great play drawn up by Malone.
Clear foul on Wemby on the landing space foul. – 10:24 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Michael Malone having Jokic hide out on Chris Paul is one of my favorite strategic machinations. – 10:19 PM
Michael Malone having Jokic hide out on Chris Paul is one of my favorite strategic machinations. – 10:19 PM
Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Alright, the Nuggets bench got a full 5 minute rest for Jokic, a hilariously low but somehow significant number.
He’s gonna have to take them home. – 10:02 PM
Alright, the Nuggets bench got a full 5 minute rest for Jokic, a hilariously low but somehow significant number.
He’s gonna have to take them home. – 10:02 PM
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
3Q: Spurs by 11. SA wins the 3Q by 10.
Barnes 22 pts
Wemby 17 pts, 18 reb, 3 blk
Vassell 11 pts, 6 reb
Champagnie 10 pts
Castle 10 pts
CP3 8 ast
Jokic 31 pts, 8 ast
MPJ 15 pts
2s: DEN by 10
3s: SA by 21
FTs: Tie – 9:52 PM
3Q: Spurs by 11. SA wins the 3Q by 10.
Barnes 22 pts
Wemby 17 pts, 18 reb, 3 blk
Vassell 11 pts, 6 reb
Champagnie 10 pts
Castle 10 pts
CP3 8 ast
Jokic 31 pts, 8 ast
MPJ 15 pts
2s: DEN by 10
3s: SA by 21
FTs: Tie – 9:52 PM
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Wemby’s got 17 points, 15 rebounds, and 2 blocks now after blocking a Jokic hook a few possessions ago and then drilling a crossover into pull-up three.
Jokic has 26 points for DEN.
Spurs by 8 – 9:33 PM
Wemby’s got 17 points, 15 rebounds, and 2 blocks now after blocking a Jokic hook a few possessions ago and then drilling a crossover into pull-up three.
Jokic has 26 points for DEN.
Spurs by 8 – 9:33 PM
Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Halftime Rotations for the Nuggets as they trail the Spurs 55-54.
Neither team shooting well, but Denver shooting worse. 1/15 from 3.
Jokic at 18 points on 16 shots w/6 assists. Only 2 REBs, but Nuggets rebounding well as a team.
Murray 9 points, good hands on D. pic.x.com/9dI9k7A09c – 9:10 PM
Halftime Rotations for the Nuggets as they trail the Spurs 55-54.
Neither team shooting well, but Denver shooting worse. 1/15 from 3.
Jokic at 18 points on 16 shots w/6 assists. Only 2 REBs, but Nuggets rebounding well as a team.
Murray 9 points, good hands on D. pic.x.com/9dI9k7A09c – 9:10 PM
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Half: Spurs by 1. SA wins the 2Q 28-24.
Wemby 14 pts, 12 reb, 1 blk in 14 mins
Barnes 9 pts
Vassell 8 pts (dunking off the dribble drives)
CP3 7 ast
Jokic 18 pts, 6 ast
Murray 9 pts
Braun 8 pts
2s: DEN by 12
3s: SA by 15
FTs: DEN by 2 – 9:08 PM
Half: Spurs by 1. SA wins the 2Q 28-24.
Wemby 14 pts, 12 reb, 1 blk in 14 mins
Barnes 9 pts
Vassell 8 pts (dunking off the dribble drives)
CP3 7 ast
Jokic 18 pts, 6 ast
Murray 9 pts
Braun 8 pts
2s: DEN by 12
3s: SA by 15
FTs: DEN by 2 – 9:08 PM
Michael C. Wright @mikecwright
Feels like Jokic has gotten 59’leven and-1’s in this firsty quarter. – 8:34 PM
Feels like Jokic has gotten 59’leven and-1’s in this firsty quarter. – 8:34 PM
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Nuggets by 4 midway through the 1Q.
Wemby has 2 fouls early, so he’s only been able to play 3.5 mins.
Jokic with 6 pts already. Barnes 5 pts off a dunk on an inbound and then a contested corner three. – 8:27 PM
Nuggets by 4 midway through the 1Q.
Wemby has 2 fouls early, so he’s only been able to play 3.5 mins.
Jokic with 6 pts already. Barnes 5 pts off a dunk on an inbound and then a contested corner three. – 8:27 PM
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Starters for Spurs vs Nuggets:
CP3 vs Murray
Vassell vs Russ
Barnes vs Braun
Sochan vs MPJ
Wemby vs Jokic
The Nuggets are favored by 3 – 7:45 PM
Starters for Spurs vs Nuggets:
CP3 vs Murray
Vassell vs Russ
Barnes vs Braun
Sochan vs MPJ
Wemby vs Jokic
The Nuggets are favored by 3 – 7:45 PM
Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
Nikola Jokic on Victor Wembanyama: “I think he’s better this year than last year, and I think he’s going to get even better… I think he’s a special player. I think he’s one of a kind and is going to be remembered forever.” pic.x.com/sjt05Fjs2g – 8:10 AM
Nikola Jokic on Victor Wembanyama: “I think he’s better this year than last year, and I think he’s going to get even better… I think he’s a special player. I think he’s one of a kind and is going to be remembered forever.” pic.x.com/sjt05Fjs2g – 8:10 AM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
Nikola Jokic said Wembanyama “will be remembered forever” 🗣️
The two clashed in a showdown for the ages won by San Antonio:
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/17… – 3:25 AM
Nikola Jokic said Wembanyama “will be remembered forever” 🗣️
The two clashed in a showdown for the ages won by San Antonio:
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/17… – 3:25 AM
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
“You can’t ask for a better way to get better,” said Wemby of getting the chance to learn by guarding Jokic (3-time MVP) in games.
Wemby said for his 21st birthday Saturday, he wants “to try to get a win”
open.substack.com/pub/thespotups… – 1:32 AM
“You can’t ask for a better way to get better,” said Wemby of getting the chance to learn by guarding Jokic (3-time MVP) in games.
Wemby said for his 21st birthday Saturday, he wants “to try to get a win”
open.substack.com/pub/thespotups… – 1:32 AM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
👽🔒 Victor Wembanyama came up BIG in the clutch with a huge defensive play on Jokic!
pic.x.com/UUTK7ZHD68 – 1:31 AM
👽🔒 Victor Wembanyama came up BIG in the clutch with a huge defensive play on Jokic!
pic.x.com/UUTK7ZHD68 – 1:31 AM
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Coach Johnson and Devin Vassell on the Spurs forcing Jokic into a turnover on one of the final defensive possessions: open.substack.com/pub/thespotups… pic.x.com/sCHgaseecn – 1:25 AM
Coach Johnson and Devin Vassell on the Spurs forcing Jokic into a turnover on one of the final defensive possessions: open.substack.com/pub/thespotups… pic.x.com/sCHgaseecn – 1:25 AM
Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
That’s a tough loss for the Nuggets. Jokic late turnover, Murray poor shooting, Malone keeps his timeouts.
Execution is the name of the game in the NBA, and the Nuggets, usually kings of those moments, fell flat tonight.
NEW for @MileHighSports
milehighsports.com/nikola-jokic-d… – 12:52 AM
That’s a tough loss for the Nuggets. Jokic late turnover, Murray poor shooting, Malone keeps his timeouts.
Execution is the name of the game in the NBA, and the Nuggets, usually kings of those moments, fell flat tonight.
NEW for @MileHighSports
milehighsports.com/nikola-jokic-d… – 12:52 AM
StatMuse @statmuse
Sabonis tonight:
17 PTS
10 REB
6 AST
Passes Jokic for the most games with 10r/5a this season. pic.x.com/hXj9vJicdi – 12:35 AM
Sabonis tonight:
17 PTS
10 REB
6 AST
Passes Jokic for the most games with 10r/5a this season. pic.x.com/hXj9vJicdi – 12:35 AM
Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Jamal Murray took blame postgame. Said he didn’t play well enough tonight.
I suspect Joker will say the same thing in an hour. – 11:35 PM
Jamal Murray took blame postgame. Said he didn’t play well enough tonight.
I suspect Joker will say the same thing in an hour. – 11:35 PM
Tom Petrini @RealTomPetrini
Jokic, the best player in the world rn, had 41, 18 and 9 (!!!) but shot 15-36.
Wemby outdueled the 3-time MVP with 35 points on 21 shots, 18 boards, and the game-sealing steal on the eve of his 21st birthday.
Instant classic, what a beaut 😭
pic.x.com/55pZTI1GOf – 11:31 PM
Jokic, the best player in the world rn, had 41, 18 and 9 (!!!) but shot 15-36.
Wemby outdueled the 3-time MVP with 35 points on 21 shots, 18 boards, and the game-sealing steal on the eve of his 21st birthday.
Instant classic, what a beaut 😭
pic.x.com/55pZTI1GOf – 11:31 PM
NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
WEMBY AND THE SPURS OUTLAST JOKIC AND THE NUGGETS 👽
What a battle between the two stars 🔥 pic.x.com/Yp11sbSVsb – 11:21 PM
WEMBY AND THE SPURS OUTLAST JOKIC AND THE NUGGETS 👽
What a battle between the two stars 🔥 pic.x.com/Yp11sbSVsb – 11:21 PM
Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Final Rotations for the Nuggets as they lose to the Spurs 113-110.
Lots of Joker shots. They played thru him the entire game. Gotta keep more guys involved.
19-14 pic.x.com/jUjCPkm4hA – 11:17 PM
Final Rotations for the Nuggets as they lose to the Spurs 113-110.
Lots of Joker shots. They played thru him the entire game. Gotta keep more guys involved.
19-14 pic.x.com/jUjCPkm4hA – 11:17 PM
More on this storyline
Wembanyama delivered a dominant performance, finishing with 35 points and 18 rebounds to help the Spurs overcome a huge night from Jokic. The three-time MVP tallied 41 points, 18 rebounds, and nine assists, narrowly missing his 15th triple-double of the season. After the game, Jokic expressed admiration for Wembanyama, who turns 21 on Saturday. “I think he’s better this year than last year, and I think he’s going to get even better,” Jokic said of Wemby. “I think he’s a special player. I think he’s one of a kind and is going to be remembered forever.” -via BasketNews / January 4, 2025
Rather than call a timeout, Malone let the game play out. Murray inbounded the ball to Michael Porter Jr. at halfcourt, who wasn’t able to get off a three-pointer that missed anyway. A brutal way to lose a close game. I wasn’t able to get an answer from Malone on why there wasn’t a timeout, but Jokic said he thought one should have been called. “We had a timeout. I think that was all of our mistake, literally everybody’s mistake, because we could have advanced the ball and still got a decent look.” -via Mile High Sports / January 4, 2025
Ultimately, Jokić wanted to become more difficult to guard, to keep adding to his game as all the great ones over the course of NBA history have. With Jokić now less than two months from his 30th birthday, longevity has become a focal point to him and those close to him. “Once he came to me before the season, we talked about his shot and what we could do with it,” Stojaković told The Athletic. “We decided to try and put the ball closer to his body and eliminate negative motions. He tried it and felt good about that, and that’s helped a lot. From there, it was about general reps. What we want is for him to be more fresh for the playoffs, and what we are aiming for is longevity.” -via New York Times / January 3, 2025