Inside The Spurs

San Antonio Spurs Fall to Denver in Overtime, Split Back-to-Back Series

San Antonio Spurs' star Victor Wembanyama won't be able to celebrate a win on his birthday after the Nuggets' fourth quarter comeback Saturday night.
Taylor Hodges|
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) pressures Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) during the first half at Frost Bank Center.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) pressures Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) during the first half at Frost Bank Center. | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

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San Antonio Spurs

San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama’s birthday celebrations probably will be toned down a bit after the Spurs lost 122-111 in overtime to the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night.

Denver dominated the overtime period, holding San Antonio scoreless until 2:11 left in overtime (a 7-0 run). But the Spurs weren’t able to make their shots and lost to the Nuggets a day after winning the first game of the two-day series, 113-110.

Denver started the game off better than the Spurs, building a 30-27 lead after one quarter of play. But the Spurs responded in the next 12 minutes before halftime. San Antonio outscored the Nuggets 28-24 in the second quarter to build a 56-54 halftime lead.

It was a lead the Spurs wouldn’t surrender until less than three minutes in the game. San Antonio opened up the third quarter on a 13-3 run that expanded its lead to 69-57 with 9:09 left in the third quarter.

The Nuggets went on a big run in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Spurs 17-8 at one point. But Peyton Watson’s two free throws brought the game to a tie with a little more than two minutes left to play.

Three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic’s successful free throw extended the Nuggets’ lead to 108-106 with less than a minute to play. Devin Vassell missed a two-pointer on the ensuing possession, but recovered his own rebound and put-back to send the game into overtime tied 108-108.

Wembanyama recorded his first 20-20 game of the season, and third in his short career, and finished the game with 20 points and 23 rebounds, while also finishing with three assists and four blocks. Harrison Barnes led the Spurs in scoring with 22 points and Devin Vassell added 19 points of his own.

Julian Champagnie (10 points), Keldon Johnson (10 points) and Stephon Castle (10 points) provided a scoring boost off the bench. The Spurs’ bench as a whole outscored the Nuggets’ bench, 43-18.

San Antonio will have just one day off before traveling to Chicago for a Monday night game against the Bulls. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

San Antonio Spurs On Sports Illustrated

Against Jokić, Nuggets, Victor Wembanyama Earned His Praise

Wembanyama Earns 'Special' Praise from Nikola Jokić

Three Key Stats that Led to San Antonio’s Win Against Denver

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Taylor Hodges
TAYLOR HODGES

Award-winning sports editor, writer, columnist, and photographer with 15 years’ experience offering his opinion and insight about the sports world in Mississippi and Texas, but he was taken to Razorback pep rallies at Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth before he could walk. Taylor has covered all levels of sports, from small high schools in the Mississippi Delta to NFL games. Follow Taylor on Twitter and Facebook.

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