By Jeff McDonald, Staff Writer | San Antonio Express-News (SAEN), 2025-01-04 00:59:50
由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
2025年1月3日星期五，在丹佛举行的NBA篮球比赛下半场还剩几秒钟时，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫德文·瓦塞尔(Devin Vassell)拿到一个地板球，在丹佛掘金队后卫克里斯蒂安·布劳恩(Christian Braun)的追赶下冲向篮筐。（美联社照片/David Zalubowski）
丹佛——德文·瓦塞尔(Devin Vassell)以前从未当过橄榄球防守后卫，但现在他知道那种感觉了。
周五晚上在波尔体育馆，比赛进入关键时刻，这位马刺后卫阅读了四分卫的意图，预判了预定接球手的路线，并像佛罗里达州立大学的校友迪昂·桑德斯(Deion Sanders)一样，带球狂奔，完成了一次锁定胜局的得分。
瓦塞尔在维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)的帮助下成功拦截了尼古拉·约基奇(Nikola Jokic)的传球，并完成了一记快攻扣篮，为马刺以 113-110 战胜丹佛的比赛画上了圆满的句号。这场胜利可能是他们本赛季最重要的胜利之一。
在比赛还剩4.3秒时拦截了约基奇的传球后，瓦塞尔想过像橄榄球运动员那样单膝跪地以拖延时间，然后再完成扣篮。
“我想过控球到最后几秒，”瓦塞尔说。“但任何事情都可能发生。如果我停下来会发生什么？还是稳稳拿到两分吧。”
在21岁生日前夜，以及职业生涯第100场比赛之际，文班亚马以35分和18个篮板的成绩领衔马刺。
他还领到了5次犯规，使得第四节的最后阶段变得如履薄冰，同时他还送出了8次失误，险些达成另类的三双。
文班亚马并没有完全胜过约基奇，后者得到了41分、18个篮板和9次助攻。但他让马刺保持了足够的竞争力，最终赢得了比赛。
这与马刺最近一次客场之旅——12月底的四场比赛——形成了鲜明对比，那次客场之旅以1胜3负告终，三场失利的总分差仅为10分。
“这应该成为我们前进的参考点，给予我们继续前进的信心。”马刺代理教练米奇·约翰逊(Mitch Johnson)说道。
马刺替补席上的凯尔登·约翰逊(Keldon Johnson)得到16分，朱利安·尚帕尼(Julian Champagnie)得到15分，两人三分球命中率均为6投3中。
瓦塞尔整晚的投篮都不太顺畅，16投7中得到18分，但在马刺最需要他的时候，他用关键的防守表现挺身而出。
“我只是需要在传球路线上做出一次成功的防守，”瓦塞尔说。“事情就是这样发生的。”
锁定胜局的一球！
https://t.co/yloAbTJnSY pic.twitter.com/CsMYIx2cgs
— 圣安东尼奥马刺 (@ spurs) 2025年1月4日
马刺没有多少时间庆祝他们自2022年4月5日以来在丹佛的首次客场胜利。周五的比赛结束后，两队将赶往丹佛国际机场飞往圣安东尼奥，周六晚上马刺和掘金将在弗罗斯特银行中心再次交锋。
以下是周五这场胜利的三大关键点，这场胜利使马刺的总战绩提升至18胜16负，客场战绩为6胜9负：
- 比赛的最后关头，胜负取决于毫厘之间
周五比赛的最后时刻，马刺发现自己处于一个危险的境地。他们在最后20秒领先111-110并掌握球权。
但朱利安·尚帕尼因踩边线出界而被吹罚犯规，将球权交给了约基奇，让掘金队获得了最后一攻的机会，马刺的这次进攻也以失败告终。
在比赛还剩17秒的暂停期间，米奇·约翰逊恳请马刺队员在比赛重新开始后，要为每一寸场地而战。
“我们想要打得强硬，因为很明显，每一寸空间都对你有利，”米奇·约翰逊说。“如果他们投的是17英尺而不是15英尺的球，如果约基奇在12英尺而不是10英尺的地方接球——所有这些小细节都很重要。我们只想保持积极主动。”
掘金的最后一攻由联盟中最顶级的进攻球员（约基奇）单打联盟中最顶级的防守球员（文班亚马）开始。
两队都对这场对决充满信心。
最终，马刺的最后一次防守是团队合作的成果。
尚帕尼对约基奇的防守迫使这位掘金中锋向左移动。当凯尔登·约翰逊包夹过来时，约基奇试图将球传给对面的迈克尔·波特(Michael Porter Jr.)。
文班亚马碰到了这个传球，球落到了瓦塞尔的手中。接下来，就是瓦塞尔的快攻扣篮了。
“在我看来，文班是NBA最好的球员，”凯尔登·约翰逊说。“文班在最后关头坚守阵地。他做出了关键的贡献。”
- 文班的犯规麻烦带来了挑战
文班亚马在第一节比赛进行29秒时就领到了本场比赛的第一次犯规，当时他试图在约基奇身后防守一个传球。
这为比赛的紧张结局埋下了伏笔，文班亚马必须小心避免在最后关头被罚下场。
在比赛还剩8分46秒时，文班亚马对克里斯蒂安·布劳恩犯规，领到了他的第五次犯规，这让米奇·约翰逊面临一个难题。
约翰逊让他的球星在接下来的两次进攻中留在场上——事实证明，这是一个正确的决定。文班亚马连续命中两记三分球，在比赛还剩7分52秒时，马刺以97-92领先。
2025年1月3日星期五，在丹佛举行的NBA篮球比赛下半场，丹佛掘金中锋尼古拉·约基奇（右）试图传球，而圣安东尼奥马刺中锋维克托·文班亚马正在防守。（美联社照片/David Zalubowski）
这时，约翰逊将文班亚马换下，希望这位7尺3寸的法国人在没有犯规的情况下多争取几分钟的休息时间。
当文班亚马在比赛还剩5分44秒时重新上场时，马刺仍然领先两分。
约基奇在比赛的剩余时间里一直对文班亚马展开进攻，希望这位马刺最重要的球员能够犯满离场。值得称赞的是，文班亚马顶住了压力，没有让这种情况发生。
“对于我们团队来说，这是一个很好的成长时刻，”米奇·约翰逊说。“我们有很多人以不同的方式站了出来。这是我们继续努力的基础。”
- 回顾文班的前100场比赛
周五比赛结束后，当马刺准备登上球队大巴时，一名球员提到了文班亚马的一个里程碑。
“在法国，今天是他的21岁生日，”桑德罗·马穆克拉什维利(Sandro Mamukelashvili)说道。
当地时间来到1月4日，文班亚马在美国也正式年满21岁。
2025年1月3日星期五，在丹佛举行的NBA篮球比赛上半场，圣安东尼奥马刺中锋维克托·文班亚马在对阵丹佛掘金的比赛中投篮命中后向替补席示意。（美联社照片/David Zalubowski）
这也是文班亚马的第100场NBA比赛，这是一个回顾他短暂职业生涯所取得成就的好时机。
100场比赛过后，文班亚马已经得到2273分——比勒布朗·詹姆斯(LeBron James)或凯文·杜兰特(Kevin Durant)在同一阶段的得分都要高。
他已经抢下1053个篮板——比安东尼·戴维斯(Anthony Davis)、帕特里克·尤因(Patrick Ewing)或乔尔·恩比德(Joel Embiid)前100场比赛的篮板数都要多。
他已经送出366次盖帽——比哈基姆·奥拉朱旺(Hakeem Olajuwon)、沙奎尔·奥尼尔(Shaquille O’Neal)或迪肯贝·穆托姆博(Dikembe Mutombo)都要多。
他已经投进225个三分球——比斯蒂芬·库里(Stephen Curry)、克莱·汤普森(Klay Thompson)或特雷·杨(Trae Young)都要多。
在NBA历史上，唯一一位在前100场比赛中达到文班亚马的得分、篮板和盖帽总数的球员是同为马刺球员的大卫·罗宾逊(David Robinson)。
San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell dunks the ball for a basket with seconds remaining in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 03: Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs dunks on the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter at Ball Arena on January 03, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 03: Chris Paul #3 of the San Antonio Spurs is guarded by Nikola Jokic #15of the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter at Ball Arena on January 03, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 03: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets drives against Harrison Barnes #40 on the San Antonio Spurs in the first quarter at Ball Arena on January 03, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 03: Christian Braun #0 of the Denver Nuggets dunks on Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs in the first quarter at Ball Arena on January 03, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 03: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets puts up a shot against Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs in the fourth quarter at Ball Arena on January 03, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 03: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets goes to the basket against Zach Collins #23 of the San Antonio Spurs in the third quarter at Ball Arena on January 03, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 03: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets goes to the basket against Zach Collins #23 of the San Antonio Spurs in the third quarter at Ball Arena on January 03, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 03: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets puts up a shot against Harrison Barnes #40 of the San Antonio Spurs in the third quarter at Ball Arena on January 03, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 03: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs puts up a shot over Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets in the third quarter at Ball Arena on January 03, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 03: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets drives against Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs in the third quarter at Ball Arena on January 03, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, left, greets forward Julian Champagnie, right, while taking the court for an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, left, drives past Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, front, collects a loose ball as San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, center, drives to the basket between San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, left, and guard Chris Paul in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama pursues a rebound in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun, right, pulls in a rebound as San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, front, fights for control of a loose ball with Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., left, battles for control of a rebound with San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, goes up for a basket as San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook, front, drives to the basket as San Antonio Spurs forwards Zach Collins, back left, and Julian Champagnie defend in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, drives to the basket as San Antonio Spurs forward Zach Collins defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie, top, collects the ball as Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson, bottom, tumbles to the floor in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., right, drives to the basket as San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., front, blocks a shot by San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun, left, fouls San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, right, in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, right, goes over Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, left, to shoot in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., left, pursues a loose ball with San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, looks to pass the ball as San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell, center, looks to pass the ball as jumps between Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) and center Nikola Jokic (15) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes, right, drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Antonio Spurs guard Tre Jones, front, drives to the basket past Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Antonio Spurs guard Tre Jones, left, passes the ball as Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson, center top, defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, center, loses control of the ball to Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun, right, as center DeAndre Jordan defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell, center, drives the lane to the basket between Denver Nuggets guards Julian Strawther, back, and Russell Westbrook in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson, left, is fouled by Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook reacts after he was called for fouling San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson reacts after dunking the ball for a basket and drawing a foul in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Antonio Spurs interim head coach Mitch Johnson, right, confers with guard Chris Paul (3) in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul, left, drives to the basket past Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook, right, in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Antonio Spurs interim head coach Mitch Johnson, center, looks on as forward Julian Champagnie, front right, drives the baseline while Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook, left, defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, passes the ball as San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson, front left, and center Victor Wembanyama defend in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul, center right, congratulates center Victor Wembanyama after the Spurs’ victory over the Denver Nuggets in an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul does an interview as he walks off the court after the Spurs’ victory over the Denver Nuggets in an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 03: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets puts up a shot against Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs in the fourth quarter at Ball Arena on January 03, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 03: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs is guarded by Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets in the fourth quarter at Ball Arena on January 03, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 03: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets puts up a shot against Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs in the third quarter at Ball Arena on January 03, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 03: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets puts up a shot against Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs in the third quarter at Ball Arena on January 03, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 03: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets drives against Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs in the third quarter at Ball Arena on January 03, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
The Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic, left, puts up a shot over the San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama in the first quarter at Ball Arena on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver.
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 03: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs puts up a shot over Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter at Ball Arena on January 03, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 03: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs puts up a shot over Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter at Ball Arena on January 03, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 03: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets puts up a shot over Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs in the first quarter at Ball Arena on January 03, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 03: Interim coach Mitch Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs works the sideline against the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter at Ball Arena on January 03, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 03: Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs dunks against the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter at Ball Arena on January 03, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
点击查看原文：3 takeaways as Wembanyama leads Spurs to road win over Denver
3 takeaways as Wembanyama leads Spurs to road win over Denver
San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell collects a loose ball and heads down the court with Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun in pursuit with seconds remaining in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
DENVER — Devin Vassell has never been a football defensive back before but now knows what it feels like to be one.
With the game on the line Friday night at Ball Arena, the Spurs guard read the quarterback, jumped the intended receiver’s route and — making like fellow Florida State alum Deion Sanders — scampered the other way for the game-sealing score.
Vassell’s interception of an errant Nikola Jokic pass — with a helpful deflection from Victor Wembanyama — sparked a run-out dunk that put the final touches on a 113-110 victory over Denver that might have been one of their most important of the season.
After picking off Jokic with 4.3 seconds left, Vassell thought about pulling the football equivalent of taking a knee before cruising for the slam.
“I thought about bringing it out and trying to get the time down,” Vassell said. “But anything can happen. If I stop what happens? Just get the two points.”
Playing a night before his 21st birthday, and on the occasion of his 100th career game, Wembanyama led the Spurs with 35 points and 18 rebounds.
He also picked up five fouls, making the stretch run of the fourth-quarter a tightrope walk, and flirted with an unofficial triple double by committing eight turnovers.
Wembanyama did not exactly outduel Jokic, who finished with 41 points, 18 rebounds and nine assists. But he kept the Spurs close enough to pull out the game in the end.
This was a change from the Spurs’ most recent road trip, a four-gamer at the end of December that finished 1-3 — with the trio of defeats coming by a combined 10 points.
“It should serve as a reference point moving forward to give us the confidence to do what we did,” Spurs acting coach Mitch Johnson said.
The Spurs got 16 points off the bench from Keldon Johnson and 15 from Julian Champagnie, with each going 3 of 6 from 3-point range.
Vassell struggled with his shot throughout the night, going 7 of 16 on his way to 18 points, but came through with a clutch defensive play when the Spurs needed it most.
“I just needed to make a play in the passing lane,” Vassell said. “That’s what happened.”
the play that sealed it!
— San Antonio Spurs (@ spurs) January 4, 2025
The Spurs will have little time to celebrate their first road win in Denver since April 5, 2022. After Friday’s game, the teams were in a race to Denver International Airport to fly to San Antonio, where the Spurs and Nuggets will tip it off again Saturday night at the Frost Bank Center.
Here are three takeaways from Friday’s victory, which improved the Spurs to 18-16 overall and 6-9 on the road:
1. It was a game of inches in the end
The Spurs found themselves in a precarious position in the waning moments Friday. They led 111-110 and had the ball heading into the final 20 seconds.
That possession blew up when Julian Champagnie was whistled for stepping out of bounds on the sideline, giving the ball to Jokic for one final possession.
In the timeout huddle with 17 seconds remaining, Johnson implored the Spurs to fight for every piece of floor space once play resumed.
“We wanted to be physical, because obviously every inch helps you,” Mitch Johnson said. “If they shoot a 17-footer instead of 15-footer, if Jokic catches it at 12 feet instead of 10 feet — all those little things. We just wanted to be active.”
The Nuggets’ final possession began with the league’s premiere offensive player (Jokic) backing down the league’s premiere defensive player (Wembanyama).
Both teams liked their chances with that matchup.
In the end, the Spurs’ final defensive stand was a team effort.
Champagnie hedged at Jokic enough to force the Nuggets center to his left. When Keldon Johnson brought a late double team, Jokic looked to fire across court to Michael Porter Jr.
Wembanyama was able to get a hand on the pass, which hit Vassell in the hands. From there, it was off to the races.
“In my eyes, Vic’s the best player in the NBA,” Keldon Johnson said. “Vic stood his ground toward the end. He made a big play.”
2. Wemby’s foul trouble provided a challenge
Wembanyama picked up his first foul of the night 29 seconds into the first quarter, when he reached over Jokic’s back trying to defend an entry pass.
It set the stage for a white-knuckle ending in which Wembanyama would have to be careful to avoid being disqualified down the stretch.
Wembanyama was assessed his fifth foul after hacking Christian Braun with 8:46 to play, leaving Mitch Johnson with a conundrum to face.
Johnson left his star in for the next two offensive possessions — a good call, it turned out. Wembanyama sank back-to-back 3-pointers to put the Spurs ahead 97-92 with 7:52 to go.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, looks to pass the ball as San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Johnson pulled Wembanyama at that point, hoping to buy a few minutes without the 7-foot-3 Frenchman fouling out.
When Wembanyama returned with 5:44 left, the Spurs still led by two.
Jokic went at Wembanyama for the remainder of the game, hoping to foul out the Spurs’ most important player. To Wembanyama’s credit, that never happened.
“It was a great moment of growth for our group,” Mitch Johnson said. “We had a number of people who stepped up in different ways. It’s something to build upon.”
3. Reflecting on Wemby’s first 100
As the Spurs were preparing to board their bus after Friday’s game, one player noted a milestone for Wembanyama.
“It’s his 21st birthday in France,” Sandro Mamukelashvili said.
Once the Earth rotated enough to make Jan. 4 in the Northern Hemisphere, Wembanyama officially turned 21 in the United States, too.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama gestures to the bench after hitting a basket against the Denver Nuggets in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
It was also Wembanyama’s 100th NBA game, which makes for a good time to take into account what he has accomplished in his short career so far.
Through 100 games, Wembanyama has 2,273 points — more than LeBron James or Kevin Durant had at that point.
He has 1,053 rebounds — more than the first 100 games of Anthony Davis, Patrick Ewing or Joel Embiid.
He has 366 blocks — more than Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O’Neal or Dikembe Mutombo.
He has 225 3-pointers — more that Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson or Trae Young.
The only other player in NBA annals to reach Wembanyama’s points, rebounds and blocks totals in their first 100 games was fellow Spur David Robinson.
By Jeff McDonald, Staff Writer, via San Antonio Express-News