Denver Nuggets defeats San Antonio Spurs 136-131
Game Review: Nuggets Edge Out Spurs in High-Scoring Affair
The Denver Nuggets narrowly defeated the San Antonio Spurs 136-131 on Wednesday night at the AT&T Center in San Antonio. A back-and-forth contest saw the Spurs build an early lead, but the Nuggets rallied in the second half, ultimately pulling away in a high-scoring fourth quarter to secure the victory on March 12, 2026.
Game Flow
The San Antonio Spurs came out firing in the first quarter, establishing a strong offensive rhythm and holding the Denver Nuggets to just 25 points. Q1: 37-25. The Spurs continued to build on their lead in the second quarter, showcasing excellent ball movement and efficient shooting, though Denver began to find some answers. Q2: 32-28. The third quarter saw a significant shift in momentum as the Nuggets began to claw their way back into the game, fueled by Nikola Jokic's dominant interior presence. Denver outscored San Antonio, narrowing the gap. Q3: 37-41. The fourth quarter was a complete turnaround, with the Nuggets exploding for 42 points, overwhelming the Spurs' defense and securing a hard-fought win. San Antonio struggled to contain Denver’s offensive onslaught, and despite a valiant effort, couldn't close the gap. Q4: 25-42. The final score reflected a game of runs, ultimately tilting in favor of the visiting Nuggets.
Highlight Players
Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets): Jokic delivered another exceptional performance, leading the Nuggets to victory with a stat line of 35 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 assists. He was a force in the paint, consistently drawing fouls and finishing strong around the rim, proving nearly impossible for the Spurs to defend. Jokic’s late-game scoring and rebounding were crucial in securing the win.
Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets): Murray was electric, providing crucial perimeter scoring for Denver. He finished with 30 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists. His ability to create his own shot and knock down difficult threes stretched the Spurs' defense and opened up opportunities for Jokic inside.
Keldon Johnson (San Antonio Spurs): Johnson led the Spurs in scoring with a strong showing of 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. He was aggressive driving to the basket and knocked down several key jump shots. Despite the loss, Johnson provided a consistent offensive spark for San Antonio.
Team Stats Breakdown
The Denver Nuggets shot an efficient FG% 56.5% from the field, compared to the Spurs’ 48.2%. Denver dominated the boards, securing 45 rebounds to San Antonio’s 38. The Nuggets also showcased superior passing, racking up 32 assists compared to the Spurs' 24. Turnovers were relatively even, with the Nuggets committing 15 and the Spurs 13. Points in the paint were a significant factor, with Denver outscoring San Antonio 68 to 52. Denver also capitalized on fast break opportunities, scoring 22 points off turnovers compared to the Spurs' 18. Three-point shooting was also in Denver’s favor, with the Nuggets connecting on 14 of 32 attempts (43.8%) while the Spurs managed 10 of 28 (35.7%). Bench contributions were also key for the Nuggets, outscoring the Spurs’ reserves 35-28. Free throw shooting saw Denver connect on 20 of 25 (80%) while San Antonio was 19 of 24 (79.2%).
Next Game Preview
The San Antonio Spurs will look to bounce back when they host the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, March 14th. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM CST at the AT&T Center. The Spurs will need to tighten up their defense and improve their rebounding to secure a victory against a Hornets team looking to climb the Western Conference standings.