Nikola Jokic notched a season-high 39 points, complemented by 11 rebounds and nine assists, guiding the Denver Nuggets (11-6) to a commanding 132-120 victory over the struggling San Antonio Spurs (3-14) on Sunday night.
The game marked the Denver debut of No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama who showcased his skills with an impressive stat line of 22 points, 11 rebounds, six steals, and four blocks in just 24 minutes, becoming the first rookie to achieve such numbers.
Despite Wembanyama’s standout performance, the Spurs couldn’t halt their slide, suffering their 12th consecutive loss, making it the third-longest losing streak in franchise history.
Michael Porter Jr. contributed 25 points, and Reggie Jackson added 20 for the Nuggets, who maintained their perfect 8-0 record at home.
Denver bounced back after a challenging road trip that included a loss to Houston and their elimination from the NBA In-Season Tournament.
Missing key player Aaron Gordon due to a right heel strain, the Nuggets adjusted their lineup, giving Justin Holiday his first start of the season in place of Gordon.
The Nuggets established an early lead, maintaining control throughout the game, leading by 23 points heading into the fourth quarter.
