Coming off a troublesome win in opposition to the Boston Celtics, the Spurs battled the Denver Nuggets. It was introduced earlier than the sport that Victor Wembanyama wouldn’t play as a result of ankle soreness. Nonetheless, the Spurs dominated the primary half. They outscored the Nuggets 37-25 within the first quarter, led by as a lot as 20 factors, and took a 14-point lead into halftime. Nonetheless, the Nuggets’ offense started to get up within the third. They outscored the Spurs 41-37 within the third and launched into a 14-0 run within the fourth. The Spurs had been ice chilly taking pictures from three, outscored 42-25, and couldn’t cease the onslaught introduced on by Jamal Murray. The Spurs in the end misplaced 136-131.
Stephon Citadel led the best way with a triple-double: 30 factors (4-8 3PT, 12-13 FT), 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. That is Steph’s third triple-double of the season. His 4 threes tied a season excessive from December twenty third in opposition to the OKC Thunder. With out Wemby, Steph was aggressive on offense. He drained 12 of his 13 free throws and dished out double-digit dimes for the eleventh time this season. He had the robust project of guarding Murray, and he defended effectively within the first half. Nonetheless, Murray caught hearth within the fourth and was in a position to rating on a number of defenders. Nonetheless, a efficiency just like the one Steph placed on exhibits his skyward potential for the 21-year-old.
AND-ONE! Steph drives on Christian Braun, and he makes use of his endurance for the robust and-one end off the backboard!
Right here’s the reverse angle!
Lob Metropolis Dimer! After Devin Vassell forces the Denver turnover, Steph finds a chopping Julian Champagnie for the alley-oop connection!
ST3PH CASTL3! Steph drains the catch-and-shoot three from the nook!
De’Aaron Fox dropped 27 factors (10-19 FG), 9 assists, three rebounds, and two steals. Similar to Steph, Fox was aggressive on offense. In addition to dropping a close to double-double, Fox drained 4 threes and obtained into the paint off of P&R’s and iso performs. He additionally picked pockets on protection. After taking part in effectively all recreation, Fox missed a vital three-point try late and tried to lock down Murray late within the recreation down by three. Sadly, he was known as for a foul when Murray was clearly about to exit of bounds. Nonetheless, the two-time all-star will proceed to play quick because the season dwindles.
SPLASHTOWN! Fox drains the three from the nook early within the first!
Fast set off! Fox catches the inbounds go and drains one other nook three!
Harrison Barnes returned from harm and dropped 20 factors (6-10 FG, 6-7 FT), seven rebounds, one help, and one steal. After lacking the final 5 video games as a result of an ankle harm, HB returned with a bang. That is his first 20+ recreation since December twenty third in opposition to OKC. He performed 27 minutes, which is his most since February 1st. Clearly, Mitch Johnson wished HB to get further burn after every week off. The 33-year-old will look to proceed contributing to this younger, contending squad because the playoffs are a month away.
Previous man hustle! HB tracks down the free ball and drives into the paint with a faux and a slam!
One other angle? Sure please!
Devin Vassell dropped 18 factors, three assists, two steals, and a rebound. It was not a 35-point explosion with seven threes just like the final time Dev performed the Nuggets, however he did have a close to 20-point recreation due to 4 threes. He began sizzling, however cooled down within the fourth. As one of many x-factors on the group, Dev additionally performed wonderful off-ball protection, particularly forcing steals on passes to Nikola Jokic. The 2-way wing will proceed to be a prepared defender and knockdown shooter.
Dylan Harper dropped 13 factors (6-12 FG), 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and a block. The rookie guard made essentially the most of his 24 minutes, ending with the best plus/minus on the group with +9. With Citadel and Fox combining for 57 factors and 19 assists, Dyl didn’t play after the four-minute mark within the fourth. It stays to be seen if Mitch Johnson will play all three guards collectively within the fourth quarter, however for now, Dyl will proceed to be a spark plug combo guard off the bench.
Block to help! After swatting Braun’s shot try on one finish, Dyl finds Steph for a facet nook three-ball!
Get out and run! On the fastbreak, Fox finds a working Dyl, and he zooms previous everybody for the simple layup off the glass!
Carter Bryant dropped 10 factors (4-6 FG), three rebounds, and an help in simply 9 minutes. The rookie wing got here to play and capitalized on his taking part in time, or lack thereof. He performed fearlessly within the paint and hustled on each ends, together with taking part in nice protection on Jokic. Regardless of having the second-highest plus/minus with +7, Carter solely performed 9 minutes. A transparent clarification could be the return of Barnes. Will probably be curious to see how Mitch Johnson manages HB and CB’s minutes over the past month of the common season.
VET MOVES! CB tracks down the offensive rebound and takes it again into Jokic within the paint for the robust end!
Sniper! CB knocks down the three from close to the highest of the important thing off the choose and fade!
In what would have been an impressive assertion win with out their greatest participant, this younger group relinquished the lead they held for a lot of the recreation to a seasoned, contending group. The one-two punch of Jokic and Murray did most of their injury within the fourth, because it was clear a sure alien-like determine was lacking within the paint that might have disrupted the Nuggets’ offensive recreation plan. Nonetheless, this group has defeated the Nuggets with out Wemby earlier than, so a loss like this solely prepares them for his or her rematch in April.
Lastly, listed below are the total recreation highlights.
The Spurs proceed their homestand this Saturday in opposition to the Charlotte Hornets at 2:30 P.M. (CST) on Prime Video/FDSN-SW.
