The Spurs defeated the Nuggets in a close game in Denver on Friday, then the Nuggets returned the favor in Saturday’s overtime victory in San Antonio. Star big men Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic had spectacular showings in the back-to-back, with Wembanyama averaging 27.5 points, 20.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.0 blocks per game, compared to Jokic’s 43.5 points, 13.5 rebounds, 9.5 assists and 2.0 steals.
According to ESPN.com, Jokic and Wembanyama expressed mutual admiration for each other after Friday’s matchup.
“I think he’s better this year than last year, and I think he’s going to get even better,” Jokic said of Wembanyama. “I think he’s a special player. I think he’s one of a kind and is going to be remembered forever.”
“Multiple-time MVP, soon to be MVP again,” Wembanyama said of Jokic. “Can’t ask for a better way to get better.”
Here’s more on the Spurs:
- Wembanyama’s name is in the NBA record books for several statistical accomplishments not even halfway through his second season. Michael C. Wright of ESPN shares the top moments of the French center’s first 100 games.
- As impressive as Wembanyama’s highlight reel already is, he says there’s only one thing that really matters to him, per Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News (subscriber link). “Some people care about highlights, but we care here about the record, the win or the loss,” said Wembanyama, who turned 21 years old on Saturday. “It is the only stat that matters.” After finishing last season with a 22-60 record, the Spurs are currently 18-17, the No. 9 seed in the West.
- Point guard Tre Jones looks like he’s finally back to full strength after battling shoulder and ankle injuries for much of 2024/25, according to Orsborn (subscription required). Jones, who has missed 18 games thus far, played both ends of the recent back-to-back, finishing with nine points (on 4-of-6 shooting) and six assists in 18 minutes on Saturday. “Tre has been great,” Harrison Barnes said. “His ability to pick up the other team, the other point guard, apply pressure and then offensively he gives us another ball handler who’s able to get to the paint, able to find guys and get extra plays for us. He’s been great in that regard.”
- Third-year forward Jeremy Sochan was sidelined for Friday’s contest, Orsborn notes in another subscriber-only story, but the back injury that kept him on the shelf turned out to be minor, as he was able to suit up on Saturday. Sochan will be eligible for a rookie scale extension in the offseason.
Wemby showed that he WILL BE, but is not yet the best player in the world…
Butler for Johnson and Vassell (salary match)
(or: Johnson and Vassell to third team, then third team sends a package to Heat)
If this is the trade, Heat need to send a First to Spurs..
I like the Heat idea to acquire two centerpieces.
Example:
Wiggins and Kuminga
No
Butler is the last player on Earth the Spurs would want to bring in for a multitude of reasons.
Us Warriors fans watching these bigs dominate the game only to have our “genius” coach (who has never coached a team without Curry on it) continue to prioritize small ball over all else, in any scenario…smh…
So you think the Warriors are hiding MVP-level bigs under a rock that Kerr refuses to check? Come back to Earth, Davey.
The first step to playing big is having good and/or athletic enough bigs to warrant playing big. And that’s on the front office. Maybe Kerr would play small regardless, but it’s a relatively moot point until the situation changes.
Wemby vs Jokic is going to be epic for years to come…
Those games had an air of playoff intensity to them that you do not see in the regular season until late in the season when teams are trying to get in or avoid the play in…
Vassell looking much better, but I’d still rather have fox and then more mins for castle.