Key Takeaways:
- Denver overturned a 20-point second-half deficit to defeat San Antonio 136-131 on Thursday night
- Nikola Jokic posted a 31-point, 20-rebound, 12-assist triple-double as Victor Wembanyama missed out due to ankle soreness
- San Antonio’s five-game winning run ended despite Stephon Castle’s 30-point triple-double effort
Match Overview
The Denver Nuggets staged an impressive comeback to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 136-131 on Thursday night in San Antonio. The victory snapped the Spurs’ five-game winning run, as the hosts played without Victor Wembanyama, who was sidelined because of right ankle soreness.
Key Player Performances
Nikola Jokic was instrumental for the visiting Nuggets, amassing 31 points, 20 rebounds and 12 assists to secure a triple-double. Jamal Murray delivered a stellar offensive performance as well, finishing with 39 points, including a crucial 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter that gave Denver its first lead at 121-119 with 4:38 to play. Murray then kick-started an 11-0 run that shifted the momentum decisively in Denver’s favour, and sealed the win with four clutch free throws after Stephon Castle’s missed three-point attempt with 20 seconds left.
DON’T CALL IT A COMEBACK#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/MMq355Xxi4
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) March 13, 2026
San Antonio’s guard Stephon Castle also notched a triple-double, collecting 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. Despite Castle’s best efforts, and with the Spurs leading by as much as 20 points early in the second half, San Antonio could not hold off Denver’s late surge.
Detailed Statistics
| Player | Team | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikola Jokic | Denver Nuggets | 31 | 20 | 12 |
| Jamal Murray | Denver Nuggets | 39 | 2 | 7 |
| Stephon Castle | San Antonio Spurs | 30 | 11 | 10 |
| Spencer Jones | Denver Nuggets | 19 | 4 | 2 |
| Cameron Johnson | Denver Nuggets | 15 | 5 | 1 |
| Christian Braun | Denver Nuggets | 11 | 9 | 2 |
| De’Aaron Fox | San Antonio Spurs | 27 | 3 | 9 |
| Devin Vassell | San Antonio Spurs | 18 | 1 | 3 |
Game Narrative and Milestones
The Spurs led by 20 points at the beginning of the third quarter, but Denver chipped away at the deficit. The pivotal moment came as Jamal Murray connected on a three-pointer to give Denver its first lead late in the fourth period, marking the start of an 11-0 scoring burst. Despite Stephon Castle’s effort to reclaim the lead with a late-game three-point attempt, the shot failed to drop, and Murray sealed the contest with flawless free-throw shooting in the final moments.
San Antonio’s loss marked their first defeat in 22 games when holding a 20-point or greater advantage. The team’s record without Wembanyama this season dropped to 10-5, and he now needs to participate in 13 out of the remaining 16 games for end-of-season awards eligibility. Wembanyama was ruled out after pre-game assessments and watched on from the second row of the bench.
Recent Team Form and Next Fixtures
The Spurs, despite their recent success – winning 16 of their previous 17 encounters and boasting a 24-8 record since the start of 2026 – saw their notable streak come to an end. San Antonio had also enjoyed an 11-game unbeaten run in February. Meanwhile, Denver is in strong form, having entered this contest after a dominant 129-93 victory over Houston on Wednesday, where Jamal Murray led with 30 points and Nikola Jokic compiled a 16-point, 13-assist, 12-rebound triple-double.
The Nuggets will now travel to face the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday. Meanwhile, San Antonio is set to visit Milwaukee on Tuesday night.
