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)
DENVER (AP) — Victor Wembanyama stole Nikola Jokic’s pass with 4 seconds left, and the San Antonio Spurs held on to beat the Denver Nuggets 113-110 on Friday night.
Wembanyama finished with 35 points and 18 rebounds to help the Spurs overcome a big night from Jokic. The three-time MVP had 41 points, 18 rebounds and nine assists, falling just short of his 15th triple-double.
San Antonio led by one with 17 seconds left and Denver had a chance to win. Jokic tried to pass to a teammate but Wembanyama intercepted it and fed Devin Vassell for a game-sealing dunk.
Michael Porter Jr. missed 34-footer at the buzzer that would have sent it to overtime.
Porter finished with 22 points for the Nuggets, whose three-game winning streak ended.
Wembanyama picked up his fifth foul with 8:46 left but shook it off to hit two deep 3-pointers to give San Antonio a 97-92 lead with 7:52 left.
Denver rallied to lead by five but the Spurs scored six straight points to take a 109-108 lead and set up the final moments.
Takeaways
Spurs: Wembanyama was unstoppable at times but also committed eight turnovers to nearly register an unwanted triple-double. The rest of the team had only six turnovers.
Nuggets: They were acutely aware of Wembanyama’s presence on defense, dribbling through the paint and shooting fadeaways. Porter showed no fear when he dunked with 2:35 left with Wembanyama near the rim.
Key moment
The teams hit a flurry of 3-pointers midway through the third quarter. The Spurs hit three in a row and Denver made two straight to combine for 15 points in a span of 67 seconds.
Key stat
The Nuggets fell to 2-5 in the first leg of a back-to-back. They have won all six games of the second leg heading into Saturday night.
Up next
The teams meet again Saturday night in San Antonio.
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)
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)
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)
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 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)
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., 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 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)
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, 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)
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