Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images In the Battle of the Bigs, Jokic had better numbers, but Wemby’s clutch defense gave him and the Spurs the dub. Coming off of a blowout win over the Clippers on NYE, the Spurs traveled to Denver seeking another win. What followed was an absolute classic. After leading 60-52 at halftime, the Spurs were outscored 38-27 in the third. The fourth quarter was a heavyweight fight between Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic. When those players weren’t scoring the ball, shooters on both sides nailed threes to keep the pace going. After a Keldon Johnson and-one, Jokic converted on the other end to take the lead with around a minute remaining. Chris Paul then made a scoop layup with 54 seconds left to take a one-point lead. After a missed Jokic three, the Spurs had the ball up one with 34 seconds remaining. Unfortunately, Julian Champagnie stepped out of bounds with 17 seconds remaining. With Wemby having five fouls, Jokic attacked him in the post. However, Wemby played excellent defense and forced Jokic to make a bad pass. Devin Vassell stole the ball and dunked it on the other end. With 1.7 left, Michael Porter Jr. missed the game-tying three and the Spurs won 113-110. Victor Wembanyama had a MONSTER game: 35 points, 18 rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and a steal. On his birthday eve, he wowed not only Spurs fans, but NBA fans all over X with this performance. Some fans are even calling him a 7’4” Steph Curry! Right now, he is well on his way to becoming one of the youngest all-NBA selections ever. Don’t reach! Wemby converts the and-one jumper while getting fouled by Jokic! AND ONEE #NBAAllStar 3-for-1 Day https://t.co/HneqEHhZKp pic.twitter.com/98kMm8Q4wl— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 4, 2025 This is just unfair part 1: Wemby pulls down the board, and dribbles into a pull-up three on the other end. (Also note the quicker release!) FROM LOOOONG DISTANCE pic.twitter.com/Iv0hAmsB8h— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 4, 2025 EXCUSE ME! Wemby catches the pass from Vassell and JAMS on Jamal Murray and Jokic! pic.twitter.com/Pel9l3k1lw— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 4, 2025 This is just unfair parts 2 and 3: C’mon. Down 92-91 in the fourth, Wemby knocks down back to back threes to help the Spurs take the lead. Except, look at where he’s shooting from! The Ball Arena logo?! A side-step stepback three? Amazing! .@wemby goes back-to-back from deeep #NBAAllStar 3-for-1 Day https://t.co/HneqEHixzX pic.twitter.com/d8ZGq9xeWD— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 4, 2025 Here’s some extra Wemby highlights! DOUBLE-DOUBLE NIGHT FOR @wemby! 35 PTS, 18 REB pic.twitter.com/KOj9BaNRUY— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 4, 2025 Devin Vassell had a solid game with 18 points, six rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Although it wasn’t the most efficient shooting night, he made some clutch plays in the fourth quarter. Devin glides past Jokic for the easy layup! Silky smooth! to the rim pic.twitter.com/iCzfEYUpbE— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 4, 2025 Speaking of silky smooth, how about his midrange jumper? t nice! pic.twitter.com/SVLwfo4xme— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 4, 2025 MAKE WAY FOR FLIGHT 24! Devin drives past Jokic and POSTERIZES Russell Westbrook and Michael Porter Jr.! Devin Vassell cuts through Denver for a SLAM pic.twitter.com/xvSFG9MqHK— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 4, 2025 PLAY OF THE GAME: After Wemby plays world-class defense on the reigning MVP, Devin picks off the pass and slams it on the other end to extend the lead to three and to seal the DUB! the play that sealed it! https://t.co/yloAbTJnSY pic.twitter.com/CsMYIx2cgs— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 4, 2025 Keldon Johnson had a decent game with 16 points, four rebounds, and a dime. He made some timely threes and the key and-one late in the fourth! 2014 Spurs? Some beautiful ball movement results in a KJ basket under the rim! pic.twitter.com/WyKIu0AVIL— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 4, 2025 KJ made three threes in the game including this wide open one late in the second! Let the man cook!! ‍ @Spurs | #GoSpursGo #PorVida pic.twitter.com/2bLNVtVUUK— FanDuel Sports Network Southwest (@FanDuelSN_SW) January 4, 2025 Another timely three! This time KJ knocks this one down late in the third. final 12 coming up! END Q3 | SAS 87, DEN 90 pic.twitter.com/l6D4nTod0F— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 4, 2025 Imagine triple-teaming a 7’4” player at the three-point line. KJ cuts to the basket where the paint is compromised and finishes for the and-one! WEMBY DIME TO KELDON JOHNSONAND-1 RAHHHHH pic.twitter.com/FqBfVWTWp9— WembyMuse (@Wemby_Muse) January 4, 2025 Harrison Barnes dropped eight points, four rebounds, and three assists. He can still get up and finish with authority! first 12 in the books! END Q1 | SAS 32, DEN 30 pic.twitter.com/PxUkt0ealh— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 4, 2025 Stephon Castle dropped eight points, four assists, and three rebounds in a spot start in place of the injured Jeremy Sochan. Here, he knocks down a three from the corner over Westbrook! King of the Castle @Spurs | #GoSpursGo #PorVida pic.twitter.com/kzfB3LVyqa— FanDuel Sports Network Southwest (@FanDuelSN_SW) January 4, 2025 Tre Jones drives past Christian Braun with ease and finishes with a difficult reverse layup! He finished with two points, four rebounds, and two assists. So tough pic.twitter.com/Fi93vVgfzU— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 4, 2025 This was a great team win! Having a possible championship contender on the ropes while they’re at home especially without Sochan is a great sign for the rest of the season. However, it’s a quick turnaround back to SA for a rematch on Saturday at 7:00 P.M. (CST) on FDSN-SW. Oh yeah, it’s also Wemby’s 21st birthday! Finally, here are the full game highlights.