Spurs Rally to Defeat Nuggets and Secure West Group C Victory

Devin Vassell delivered a standout performance, scoring 18 of his season-high 35 points in the fourth quarter as the visiting San Antonio Spurs defeated the Denver Nuggets 122–115. The victory secured the Spurs first place in the West Group C standings of the NBA In-Season Tournament.

Game Highlights

Vassell’s scoring burst in the final period turned the game around after Denver held a narrow lead through three quarters. Victor Wembanyama contributed 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 blocks, displaying his usual two-way dominance. Keldon Johnson added 19 points and 7 rebounds for San Antonio.

For Denver, Nikola Jokic nearly recorded another triple-double with 29 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Jamal Murray finished with 21 points and 9 assists. However, the Nuggets struggled defensively in the final minutes as the Spurs outscored them 36–24 in the fourth quarter.

Key Moments

San Antonio overcame a 14-point deficit early in the second half. Vassell’s three consecutive jumpers midway through the fourth gave the Spurs a 110–106 advantage, and Wembanyama’s three-pointer with 1:15 left sealed the win. The Spurs’ bench outscored Denver’s reserves 34–18, providing crucial support during the comeback.

Coach and Player Reactions

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich praised the team’s resilience, saying,

"The guys just stayed with it. We learned how to close games through mistakes, and tonight we put it together."

Vassell credited teamwork for the victory:

"We didn’t panic. Everyone trusted the next pass, and it paid off."

Tournament Impact

With the win, San Antonio improved to 3–1 in Group C and advanced to the knockout stage. Denver, also 3–1, lost the tiebreaker due to point differential despite strong play throughout the round.

The Spurs will now face the winner of Group D in the next stage of the tournament.

Author summary: San Antonio’s late surge, driven by Devin Vassell and Victor Wembanyama, propelled the Spurs past Denver and into the In-Season Tournament’s knockout phase.

Reuters — 2025-11-29