San Antonio Spurs vs. Denver Nuggets NBA Game Box Score for November 26, 2023. Today we will discuss about Spurs vs Nuggets: Score| Prediction| Playoffs| Highlights
Spurs vs Nuggets: Score| Prediction| Playoffs| Highlights
While the San Antonio Spurs have lost 12 consecutive games, their rookie sensation Victor Wambayama continues to impress. While posting 22 points, 11 rebounds, 6 steals, 4 blocks and 2 assists against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, Wembanyama became the first rookie in NBA history to post that line or better in a single game.
To put into perspective how impressive and unique this line is – even if rookie eligibility is removed, only four other players in NBA history have ever posted this line or better in a single game. The most recent to do so is James Harden in 2019, and the other three players to post this line or better are Karl Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Robert Parish.
Spurs vs Nuggets only 24:56 minutes in this game, Vembanyama is the only player on this list to achieve his stat line in less than 30 minutes. The next fewest minutes on this list are Olajuwon’s 35 minutes in 1986. While Vembanayama would prefer a win over this historic line, isn’t it impressive to see what he has been able to do as a rookie, and how these performances compare to some of the all-time greats.
Spurs are currently the worst team in the Western Conference, which they hope to change, but the future is certainly bright with Wembanyama’s leadership.
Score
The defending champion Denver Nuggets entered the contest with the San Antonio Spurs having lost four of their last five games. They have struggled to get back to their winning ways since losing starting point guard Jamal Murray. They looked like they were in their championship prime in a 132-120 win over the Spurs.
San Antonio was carved up by Denver’s ultra-efficient offensive attack on Sunday night. The Nuggets shot 56.2% from the field, scored 66 points in the paint and hit 12 of their 28 three-point attempts. As Spurs looked to push forward, they were clicking on all cylinders. Despite the best efforts of the Spurs bench late in the game, big runs in the third and fourth quarters put San Antonio behind.
Spurs vs Nuggets dominated in MVP fashion. He had 39 points, 9 assists and 11 rebounds. Victor Wembanyama was tasked with guarding him and had his moments. The rookie had one of the most impressive stat lines of the season, putting up 22 points, 11 rebounds, 6 steals, and 4 blocks in just 25 minutes of play.
The Spurs will take their 12-game losing streak home for a matchup against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday.
Prediction
Aside from his two-way assignment, the San Antonio Spurs will enter Sunday’s game against the Denver Nuggets with clean health. However, the Nuggets will miss Vlatko Cankar and Jamal Murray due to injury. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Aaron Gordon, Reggie Jackson and Nikola Jokic are all listed as probable on Denver’s injury report. If Mike Malone’s team can land most of their top players, they should have a lot of depth and a lot of talent for the Spurs to deal with. Of course, a big night from Victor Wembanyama could change things a bit for Spurs. Still, it’s not ideal to trust a rookie who has played 16 games in his professional career when facing an NBA champion.
The San Antonio Spurs starting lineup could look like this: Malachi Branham, Jeremy Sochan, Keldon Johnson, Victor Wembanyama and Zach Collins. The lack of floor spacing within the Spurs roster is their biggest limitation. Lanes are often congested, and Vembanyama is not a reliable floor spacer at this early point in his career. The Denver Nuggets’ starting lineup could look like this: Reggie Jackson, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, and Nikola Jokic. Jamal Murray’s absence has been a tough blow for the Nuggets to navigate. However, their roster is exceptionally talented and embodies the value of a five-out attack.
Playoffs
When Denver Nuggets fans discuss their franchise’s history of playoff disappointments, we first direct our anger toward Los Angeles, as that city’s Lakers have swept our beloved Nuggets in the postseason a franchise-record six times. (without a single playoff series win for Denver) since the Nuggets’ entry into the NBA in 1977.
But when it comes to playoff futility for Denver professional basketball, another franchise is almost equally hindering the Nuggets: this year’s playoff opponent, the San Antonio Spurs.
Even though the Nuggets and Spurs were rivals in the American Basketball Association (ABA) – both were original ABA teams as the Denver Rockets and Dallas Chaparrals, respectively, when the league was formed in 1967 – they have never met in the ABA playoffs, with the sole exception of In 1971 the Texas Chaparrals lost to the Denver Rockets in a one-game tiebreaker for the ABA Western Division.
Highlights
Before the game started, the Spurs announced that Pau Gasol and Patty Mills would not play against the Nuggets. He was given rest. Kyle Anderson, Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker all missed the game due to injury.
LaMarcus Aldridge delivered another solid preseason performance with Kawhi Leonard out of the lineup. He had 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists in a game-high 31 minutes. A 3-pointer was also added to his stat line.
Bryan Forbes displayed the scoring prowess he displayed in the 2017 Summer League, scoring a quick 20 points in 17 minutes. Four of his seven shots were from 3-point range. Forbes notably played the same amount of time as Brandon Paul and three minutes more than Derrick White.
Rudy Gay’s playing time increased from 16 to 22 minutes against the Nuggets. He gave his best performance to date with the Spurs, with 11 points and two made 3-pointers.
Until Leonard plays, it is difficult to judge this team. There won’t be any answers to what San Antonio looks like until the team gets healthy, potentially on opening night. However, for now
On the other end of the court, Nuggets star Nikola Jokic had 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Paul Millsap, who made only two of 10 shots, had 13 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Gary Harris, Will Barton and Mason Plumlee all had double-digit scoring efforts.
