Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic was a dominant force Tuesday against the San Antonio Spurs. But Spurs rookie Victory Wembanyama more than held his own in the contest
The defending champions outlasted their visitors from Texas in a 110-105 affair at Ball Arena. The Western Conference showdown yielded some incredible moments between both Jokic and Wemby.
Nikola Jokic Reveals In-Game Message He Gave Victor Wembanyama
Jokic played like a true 2-time MVP despite being matched up with the NBA’s leading shot-blocker in Wembanyama. The Nuggets star tied his season high with 42 points on 18/32 shooting to go along with 16 rebounds and 6 assists.
In a game with several clutch plays down the stretch, perhaps the most riveting sequence came in the first quarter. Wembanyama sent a Jokic hook shot into orbit — a defensive gem that was sandwiched between two otherworldly buckets from the Spurs rookie.
Jokic exacted his revenge shortly after. The Serbian center rose up for a rare dunk and put Wembanyama on a poster.
This Wemby and Jokić sequence 😱😂 pic.twitter.com/aTL3xsEzO7
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 3, 2024
Jokic was asked about the sequence during his postgame press conference. The Joker said that after the dunk, he had warned Wemby against blocking another shot. But despite his threat, Wembanyama continued to swat shots at will
“If you block one more shot, I’m gonna … something,” Jokic said he muttered to Wemby.
“But he blocked like four after that, so I didn’t do anything about it,”
Nikola Jokić was asked if he said anything to Victor Wembanyama after dunking on him.
He said he told Wemby: "If you block one more shot, I'm gonna…"
"But he blocked like four after that, so I didn't do anything about it." pic.twitter.com/dVqQ3W4lww
— Matt Brooks (@MattBrooksNBA) April 3, 2024
Four blocked shots would be a bona fide block party for most players. But Wembanyama took things to another level against the Nuggets on Tuesday. The Frenchman blocked 9 total shots to go along with 23 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 assists. He was just one block and two assists shy of a quadruple double.
Nikola Jokic vs. Victor Wembanyama Will Be An Epic Battle For Years
In their first two matchups against one another, Jokic got the better of Wembanyama both times.
Jokic has scored a whopping 81 points, 27 rebounds, and 15 assists combined in the two contests. It’s clear the Joker has gotten up whenever Wemby is on the other side so far.
Wembanyama has posted some decent stat lines in the two losses against the Nuggets. He’s averaged 20.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game on 13/41 shooting, good for just 31.7% from the field.
Both Wemby and the Spurs have been overmatched by Jokic and the Nuggets so far this season. But it’s probably just a matter of time before the silver and black start fighting back.
