The Denver Nuggets secured a 136-134 overtime win against the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday at Ball Arena, and head coach David Adelman centered his postgame comments on the level of competition and the star matchup between Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama.
Adelman opened his press conference by acknowledging the quality of the game and the challenge both teams presented.
The Denver coach highlighted the group’s response late in the game after trailing in the fourth quarter.
“We were up against it the start in the fourth quarter and I thought it was probably the best one of the season mentally just to kind of stay with each other as they go on the runs they go on,” he said. “They’re as talented as it gets.”
Adelman also stressed the importance of perspective during the regular season despite the emotional finish.
“This is a great win. So was in Utah,” he said. “I get tired of everybody missing that these wins all count the same. We have 50. This one didn’t count as six. It just counted as one.”
Denver closed the game by outscoring San Antonio 40-27 across the final 14 minutes including overtime while Jokic produced 16 of his 40 points during that stretch.
The head coach praised the defensive effort of Aaron Gordon against Wembanyama late in the game.
“Aaron’s one-on-one defense was remarkable,” Adelman said. “He’s just a unique defensive player because he has good feet and he’s got the size. Once Wemby jumps in the air, it doesn’t matter anymore. So you’re just trying to get into his airspace, make it uncomfortable.”
Adelman also described the individual matchup between Jokic and Wembanyama as rare for the league.
“It’s just good for sports,” he said. “The way they both do it is completely different and at the same time it’s its own unique awesome thing.”
He added that the physical profile of both players creates a matchup rarely seen in the NBA.
“You’re not going to see two people like this in many generations,” Adelman said. “The size of both these guys… Joke’s a big guy and he looks like a guard jumping center with Wemby.”
Adelman even joked about the value of watching the two stars share the floor.
“I would pay top dollar for these two guys,” he said. “I really do.”
Late-game execution also stood out to the Denver coach, especially Jokic’s signature floater.
“When Joke shoots a floater… the percentage he shoots it at and he’s four feet from the basket, that’s an auto two,” Adelman said. “I’ve never seen anybody that can shoot a floater like Nikola.”
Adelman pointed to the Serbian center’s preparation as the reason behind those plays.
“The touch is insane,” he said. “It comes through hard work… watching him work on that off his right foot, off his left foot.”
He also noted the offensive spacing that helped Christian Braun produce 21 points and five three-pointers.
“You have to shoot open shots,” Adelman said. “The only thing that makes me mad with guys is when they hesitate. He didn’t hesitate tonight.”
With the win, Denver improved to 50-28 and continued its push in the Western Conference standings.
“Being the three seed doesn’t necessarily mean the matchup is better or worse,” Adelman said. “But if we are the three, it means we’re moving in the right direction to end the season.”
