Denver Nuggets vs. San Antonio Spurs: Play-by-play, highlights and reactions

The Denver Nuggets (13-13) play against the San Antonio Spurs (16-16) at AT&T Center

Game Time: 8:30 PM EST on Saturday December 11, 2021

Denver Nuggets 127, San Antonio Spurs 112 (Final)

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Feels like the Nuggets have been on the verge of stabilizing for awhile. It takes Nikola playing at insane levels and for the Nuggets to hit open shots, but it’s there. They’re capable. – 2:19 AM Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Nikola Jokic, in the midst of his 18-point third-quarter tonight.
Spurs broadcast: “That was so like Timmy Duncan right there.” pic.twitter.com/Wboy7JjF2A – 1:45 AM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Goodnight, Nuggets Nation pic.twitter.com/SBkJC0CAM0 – 1:40 AM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Tonight’s DPOG…
@Facundo Campazzo 🔒 pic.twitter.com/UzSunhoNkg – 1:20 AM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Saturday nights are always better with a W!
Tonight’s takeaways
nba.com/nuggets/news/n… – 1:05 AM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
NEW episode of Pickaxe and Roll, presented by @DKSportsbook:
Thoughts on the Nuggets dominating against the Spurs tonight, dampened by a tough fourth quarter stretch that saw multiple injuries.
Great games from Jokić, Monte, AG, Bones, Facu, and Howard. denverstiffs.com/2021/12/11/228… – 12:52 AM Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Nikola Jokic finished with 35 points, 17 rebounds and 8 assists in a win down three starters.
Screenshot the home page of wherever you get your sports information, I’m trying to see something. – 12:43 AM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
He’s back to getting Bizzy 🦴
16 PTS | 4 3PM | 3 AST pic.twitter.com/SSia8bm6Sv – 12:40 AM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
21 PTS | 6 3PM
@markushoward11 is 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 💥 pic.twitter.com/LsBKX9qwoX – 12:15 AM Chad Ford @chadfordinsider
Top Rookies on Sat
Evan Mobley, 15 pts, 15 reb, 2 ast, 1 blk
Alperen Sengun, 15 pts, 6 reb, 6 ast, 1 stl, 3 blk
Franz Wagner, 20 pts, 3 reb, 3 ast, 1 blk
Davion Mitchell, 14 pts, 1 reb, 5 ast, 2 stl
Bones Hyland, 16 pts, 1 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl – 12:03 AM Chris Dempsey @chrisadempsey
Not only was Markus Howard on 🔥 (21 points, 6/12 3-point shooting) but watch how often San Antonio lost him on their defensive end. #Nuggets pic.twitter.com/4agUulWQEU – 11:50 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Got a couple young snipers coming off our bench 👀 pic.twitter.com/KeVqdk3WP4 – 11:47 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Final numbers 📊 pic.twitter.com/vu0SIvEHFA – 11:37 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Asked Nikola whether he felt the success the Spurs have achieved is attainable in Denver:
“Hopefully. That’s a great organization. … I remember 20 years, I don’t remember, but, like, from the stories, 20 years. If we can do that, it’d be really nice.” – 11:35 PM Katy Winge @katywinge
Coach Malone said “the ball was flying” when I asked about the 33 assists. He then broke it down by player, because it was a collective passing effort. Here’s the full rundown:
Jokić 8
Campazzo 8
Morris 4
Gordon 4
Hyland 3
(Jeff) Green 3
Reed 2
(JaMychal) Green 1 – 11:30 PM Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
If LeBron was down Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook and they beat the Spurs by 15 points while going for 35 points, 17. points and 8 assists
What would be the headline on Espn? Because I just went there and they’re talking about Steph Curry hitting 3 3-pointers in a loss. – 11:29 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
The loss puts the Spurs on pace for 29.5 wins, right where their Vegas over/under was before the season.
The Spurs are 1.5 games behind Minnesota for the 10th seed.
70% of the season left to be played. – 11:28 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Struggles on defense for Spurs vs Denver tonight:
-DEN 60 pts from 3PT (2nd most for Spurs opp)
-DEN 47% accuracy from 3PT (2nd highest by Spurs opp)
-DEN 52 paint pts
-DEN 59% acc in paint
-DEN 28 pts off turnovers (2nd most pts off turnovers for Spurs opp) – 11:25 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
The Spurs are now 0-7 when allowing an opponent to score at least 120 points in a game. – 11:18 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
The Spurs drop to 0-9 when trailing by 15 points in a game.
They’ve fallen behind by 15 points in 36% of their games. – 11:16 PM Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Tre said it was up to him and the other guys on the court at the end to try to give the Spurs some momentum going into Sunday vs. Pelicans:
“We were just sloppy for the majority of the game and we didn’t want to continue that knowing we have a game here in less than 24 hours.” – 11:15 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Struggles on offense for Spurs vs Nuggets tonight:
-30 pts from 3PT
-46 paint pts
-49% accuracy in paint (matches season low)
-17 turnovers
-9 fast break pts
-30% of attempts from 3PT – 11:14 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Describe Nikola in three letters. pic.twitter.com/5oiRMV0inx – 11:13 PM Chris Dempsey @chrisadempsey
This is as good a boxscore as the #Nuggets have had in a while. Great in pretty much every category. pic.twitter.com/JdQSgFm6vM – 11:12 PM Katy Winge @katywinge
Coach Malone postgame: “Gotta give Markus Howard a shout out. He was a difference maker tonight.”
Howard finished with 21 pts, 6 made three pointers. – 11:10 PM Katy Winge @katywinge
Coach Malone after the Nuggets win to finish the road trip: “It might strange but it’s a huge difference going home 4-3 instead of 3-4.”
He said he really liked how Denver responded & that 3rd quarter (31-18) was one of best quarters all season. – 11:09 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Nuggets 127, Spurs 112 pic.twitter.com/aqlFhXPd1X – 11:09 PM StatMuse @statmuse
Four of the 10 worst shooting performances by Steph Curry in his career have come this season (min 20 FGA):
4-21 (19.0%) vs Suns in November
5-21 (23.8%) vs Lakers in October
7-28 (25.0%) vs Spurs in December
6-20 (30.0%) vs 76ers tonight pic.twitter.com/7P3xzGBQ1l – 11:07 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
What it’s all about pic.twitter.com/DEJPAl3Nng – 11:06 PM Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Pop delivered a short statement without taking questions:
“Denver set a good example of how you react after a loss. And we did the opposite. We showed how you do not want to react after a win. So they handled the loss well. We didn’t handle the win very well at all.” – 11:03 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
So, it’s been awhile since Denver had a road trip like that.
W-L-W-L-W-L-W
All over the country, the highs and lows were crazy. It’s not entirely over either.
Good news is: they’re weathering the storm. Still at .500. – 11:03 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
“Tonight we were just sloppy for the majority of the game.” – Tre Jones
Spurs finished with 17 turnovers, allowed multiple open 3s and paint attempts – 11:02 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
“Tonight we were just sloppy for the majority of the game.” – Tre Jones
Spurs finished with 17 turnovers, allowed multiple 3s and paint attempts – 11:01 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
“I initially thought it was really really bad,” said Keldon Johnson of his ankle when the injury first occurred. – 10:59 PM San Antonio Spurs @spurs
back at it tomorrow pic.twitter.com/7OHgfzbQ6c – 10:58 PM StatMuse @statmuse
Nikola Jokic in 34 minutes tonight:
35 PTS
17 REB
8 AST
15-24 FG
4-6 3P
He joins Giannis has the only players with a 35/15/5 game in fewer than 35 minutes in the last 2 seasons. pic.twitter.com/y4AIn3rW4O – 10:58 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Heading home with a W!
#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/D2sbuRk8T9 – 10:58 PM Matthew Tynan @Matthew_Tynan
Pop smiling at Malone while he talks, like “the hell did we do to deserve that?” Seriously though, Denver played like it was personal tonight. Just relentless outside of that stretch midway through the 4th. Then Malone put Jokic back in to do a little more killing. – 10:56 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Final rotations for the Nuggets as they win 127-112.
-Jokić with another MVP caliber performance when his team needed it most
-AG and Monte had some great chemistry with Joker
-Facu/Markus/Bones guard trio was en fuego!
-Zeke-JaMychal both hurt tonight? pic.twitter.com/qByYPeyG5x – 10:56 PM Rob Perez @WorldWideWob
if for some reason you were wondering “how did Nikola Jokic do this week?”, here is your answer: pic.twitter.com/lb19A8xzMB – 10:56 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
“I think Denver showed a good example of how you react after a loss.” – Coach Pop on Denver’s response tonight – 10:55 PM Adam Mares @Adam_Mares
Nuggets move to 13-13.
+184 with Jokic ON (687 minutes)
-183 with Jokic OFF (534 minutes) – 10:55 PM Chris Dempsey @chrisadempsey
After Thursday night’s loss to San Antonio, the #Nuggets had a checklist of items to get done tonight. And they got them done.
Better defense
Good Bench Play
Good 3rd Quarter
And the Nuggets end the 7-game trip at 4-3, which, all things considered, is fantastic. – 10:55 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
The Spurs fall to the Nuggets 127-112.
The Spurs are now…
…9-16 overall
…5-8 at home
…4-12 against the West
…1-2 against Denver – 10:54 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
NUGGETS WIN pic.twitter.com/kBzIEBLXoa – 10:53 PM Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Spurs fall, 127-112. Tre Jones, who Pop calls the “ultimate competitor,” finished with 11 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. – 10:53 PM Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Box score from the last time the Nuggets won a regular season game in San Antonio: March 4, 2012.
It was a 15-game losing streak. pic.twitter.com/p5NEehCVkd – 10:53 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
The vision.
The touch.
The MVP. pic.twitter.com/zq8bdywVKM – 10:50 PM Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Nikola Jokic dropped 35 points, 17 rebounds and 8 assists against the Spurs
What a season he’s having. – 10:50 PM Adam Mares @Adam_Mares
35-17-8 from Jokic.
Last game of a 15-day road trip. – 10:50 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Pulling out ALL the tricks tonight! pic.twitter.com/2NooGahoMz – 10:49 PM Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
This honestly might’ve been the best passing game for the Denver Nuggets all season.
Some incredible passes from multiple players.
Tap passes, threading the needles, skip passes. You name it. – 10:49 PM Adam Mares @Adam_Mares
Jokic is elite at wasting the clock on inbound passes. – 10:48 PM Rob Perez @WorldWideWob
Jokic. pic.twitter.com/NMktdbAfB7 – 10:48 PM Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Tre Jones with 7 points to go along with a career-best 8 rebounds and a career-high-tying 5 assists (no turnovers). – 10:47 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
lol Nikola AGAIN – 10:47 PM Matthew Tynan @Matthew_Tynan
This Spurs comeback is great for Jokic fantasy owners – 10:46 PM Adam Mares @Adam_Mares
Jokic might set a record for on/off +/- this season – 10:44 PM Michael Singer @msinger
JaMychal Green won’t return (right ankle sprain). – 10:42 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Spurs bench has the score down to 14 points.
Coach Malone brings some of the Nuggets starters back in – 10:42 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
JaMychal Green (right ankle sprain) will not return to tonight’s game. – 10:41 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Jokic is coming back in. – 10:40 PM Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
On a positive note for the Spurs, Lonnie Walker has notched back-to-back double-digit scoring games for the first time since Nov. 18 and 22. He has 16 tonight after pumping in 21 in Thursday’s win over Denver. – 10:40 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Bryn Forbes with 14 points off the bench in the second half.
That Nuggets 32 point lead is down to 19 points
7 mins left – 10:38 PM Alex Kennedy @AlexKennedyNBA
There are only two NBA players who are averaging 30 points and 20 rebounds per 100 possessions this season.
Nikola Jokic is one (obviously). Can you name the other? 🤔 – 10:37 PM Katy Winge @katywinge
JaMychal Green will not return with a right ankle sprain. – 10:33 PM Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Nuggets have hit 16 of 34 from 3-point range (47.1 percent). The season high for a Spurs’ opponent is 48.4 percent (15 of 31) on Nov. 14 at the Lakers. – 10:33 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
JaMychal Green has his best defensive possession of the entire season and immediately rolls his ankle on the rebound.
Can’t make this shit up. – 10:28 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Third-quarter scoring:
Spurs: 18
Nikola: 18 pic.twitter.com/Gx7fcuGvjV – 10:27 PM San Antonio Spurs @spurs
final frame coming up pic.twitter.com/M5kelUULPJ – 10:25 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
+27 for Joker in 30 minutes. Think that might be enough to get the win today. – 10:24 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Having fun, Nuggets Nation? pic.twitter.com/rRL8uTwxas – 10:24 PM Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Jokic has 35 points entering the 4Q with the Nuggets leading, 103-74. His season high is 39. His career high is 50. – 10:23 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
3Q: Nuggets by 29
DEN takes the 3Q 31-18
DEN winning 3PT line by 27
DEN winning paint by 18
Spurs winning mid-range by 12 pic.twitter.com/XrSPLvIwHV – 10:22 PM Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Nikola Jokic is torching the Spurs tonight: 35 points (15-23 FG’s, 4-6 3FG’s), 15 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal in 30 minutes. – 10:22 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Still in awe of this pass 🤩 pic.twitter.com/s9ICdbVjkD – 10:22 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Nikola Jokic up to 18 points … this quarter, and 35 for the game. He did not like how this game was being officiated and took it into his own hands. – 10:21 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
7 rebounds and 2 steals in 15 minutes for Davon Reed. That’s how you fill your role. – 10:16 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
HERE YOU GO @SportsCenter pic.twitter.com/JqdSvNvB95 – 10:15 PM Matthew Tynan @Matthew_Tynan
I love these back-to-back games, same teams, same city. They were a lot more prevalent last year because of the Covid schedule, but whoever loses the first game usually comes back with some serious “f*** you” energy in the second game. DEN very much displaying said energy tonight – 10:15 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
lol Nikola pic.twitter.com/46mC98E3vr – 10:12 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
OMG AG – 10:12 PM Chris Dempsey @chrisadempsey
Aaron Gordon is dropping so many dimes tonight… – 10:11 PM Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
30 points on 13-18 shooting for Nikola Jokic in only 25 minutes tonight. – 10:11 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
30 points for Nikola Jokic in 3 quarters pic.twitter.com/sRKH1QY2Q5 – 10:10 PM Katy Winge @katywinge
Fun basketball is being played by the Denver Nuggets.
That is all – 10:09 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
Nuggets flexing 4 minutes into the 3rd. Show off, Denver. It’s been a long road trip. pic.twitter.com/sCTKLHRVmm – 10:06 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
well that escalated quickly pic.twitter.com/BYN7zmeR82 – 10:05 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
13 turnovers for the Spurs = Denver scoring 21 points off those turnovers
Nuggets by 30 – 10:04 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
JOKER JAM 🐯 pic.twitter.com/aJtSJzPlVb – 10:04 PM Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Spurs trail, 87-57. Sloppy play on both ends to start the second half. – 10:03 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Down 28, the Spurs are facing the largest deficit of the season. – 10:03 PM Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Nikola Jokic picks up another technical foul.
This time was him dunking the ball and we saw a pull-up on the rim.
When you’re feeling it like he is, it’s worth it. – 10:02 PM Matthew Tynan @Matthew_Tynan
Nuggets on 20-0 run going back to first half. Yeeeeeesshhh – 10:02 PM Adam Mares @Adam_Mares
Kiiiiinda surprised Jokic can do a chin up. – 10:01 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Nikola Jokic just did a chin-up dunk. … and seemingly drew his second tech. – 10:01 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
The Nuggets are suddenly up by 27 points – 10:00 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
4th 25 point deficit for the Spurs this season – 10:00 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Down by 23, the Spurs are facing their largest deficit since 11/18/21 @ Minnesota – 9:59 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
5th 20 point deficit of the season for the Spurs.
SA enters 0-4 when down by 20 – 9:58 PM Chris Dempsey @chrisadempsey
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich chatted up #Nuggets C Nikola Jokic at halftime… pic.twitter.com/2pzhTQGkZX – 9:57 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Shots were falling in the first half 📊 pic.twitter.com/gMYjSWKtzv – 9:51 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Half of the Nuggets shot attempts came from three and they made 52% of those attempts. pic.twitter.com/8mssQIdmCN – 9:51 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
13 (!!) threes in the first half 👌 pic.twitter.com/1krM5JsHdd – 9:47 PM Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Nuggets made 25 baskets that half. 13 were from 3-point range. That’s one way to hang 72 on San Antonio in two quarters. – 9:47 PM San Antonio Spurs @spurs
halftime pic.twitter.com/xCR3sjlcm7 – 9:46 PM Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
In a bit of foreshadowing, Pop was asked before the game about the Spurs’ improved perimeter defense.
“It’s OK,” he said. – 9:46 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Halftime rotations as the Nuggets lead the Spurs 72-56.
-First time not traveling in three weeks and they’re playing like it
-Markus Howard: shooters SHOOT
-Bones and Facu both played well
-Monte w/9-3-3 and a buzzer beater pic.twitter.com/JU8iTBQ7Fd – 9:45 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Half: Nuggets by 16
DEN takes the 2Q 44-27
FOURTY-FOUR
DEN winning 3PT line by 27 points
DEN winning paint by 2
Spurs winning mid-range by 8
Young & Forbes didn’t play in the 1st half pic.twitter.com/bM30Jr2FvX – 9:45 PM Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Denver takes a 72-56 lead over the Spurs a half.
Markus Howard is lighting it up from deep as he has 5 3-pointers.
Bones Hyland is shooting lights out with 11 early points & Jokic remains the best player in the world.
If you’re Coach Malone, what’s your message to the team? – 9:44 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
THAT’S how you close a quarter, Denver. pic.twitter.com/y4w7KBmCzl – 9:44 PM Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Fittingly, Morris ends the first half with a deep 3 for the Nuggets, giving them a 72-56 lead at the break.
Denver shot 52 percent from downtown (13 of 25) in the first half. – 9:44 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Entertaining first half 🍿 pic.twitter.com/s7b8pAE425 – 9:44 PM Michael Singer @msinger
What a half. #Nuggets hang 72 with 13-of-25 from 3-point range.
Nikola with a game-high 17 points, followed closely, as we all predicted, by Markus, with 16.
Denver up 16 at the break. – 9:42 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
MONT3 to end the half!! – 9:42 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
9th 15 point deficit for the Spurs.
SA enters 0-8 when down by 15 – 9:42 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
AIR GORDON 😤 pic.twitter.com/jSdu6TBmXT – 9:42 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Fro Bros are WORKIN’ out there – 9:41 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
Aaron Gordon’s bull-in-a-china-shop routine attacking the basket tonight is NICE – 9:40 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
When the Nuggets bench scores 30+ points, they’re 8-3 as a team.
When the bench scores 29 or fewer, they’re 4-10. – 9:37 PM San Antonio Spurs @spurs
right thru traffic 🚗
@Derrick White pic.twitter.com/Btdajm01LK – 9:36 PM Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Jokic is 3 of 3 from 3-point range, but it’s the firm of Hyland & Howard that’s hurting the Spurs. H&H is a combined 8 of 12 from distance off the bench.
Overall, the Nuggets have hit 12 of 22 shots from deep (57.1%) to lead 59-40 with 4:10 left in first half. – 9:36 PM Michael Singer @msinger
#Nuggets just caught lightning in a bottle with Howard. Denver’s bench with 29 (!!) points in the half. The non-Nikola starters have 15 total.
Denver up 59-50 with 4:10 left in the second quarter. – 9:35 PM Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
How many 3-pointers does Markus Howard have in the 1st half? pic.twitter.com/JHnSOOV38O – 9:33 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
MARKUS IS UNCONSCIOUS RN – 9:33 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Markus Howard is now the leading scorer for Denver with 16 points.
15 of those points from three – 9:33 PM Katy Winge @katywinge
MARKUS HOWARD
SHOT MAKER IN SAN ANTONIO – 9:32 PM Joe Mullinax @sbnGrizzlies
Time to get some former Grizz players in the mix. A congrats message from Rudy Gay, JaMychal Green, and Matt Barnes — Stephen Jackson alongside pic.twitter.com/6HoZ6Ohy1U – 9:32 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Bones and Howard with 21 combined points in the first half off the bench pic.twitter.com/RpTOCoeej8 – 9:30 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
16th double digit deficit for the Spurs this season in 25 games.
The Spurs enter 1-14 when down by double digits – 9:28 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Markus Howard is cooking with gas. … #The Nuggets’ starters are running plays for him as he bangs his fourth 3-pointer of the half. – 9:28 PM Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Bones Hyland (9 points, 3 of 5 from downtown) is doing a Bones Barry number on the Spurs at the AT&T Center. – 9:28 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
HEAT CHECK @markushoward11 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/HdlUybMhtz – 9:26 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
Spurs announcers talking about Jokic in the MVP race and questioning whether it bothers him to be “4th” is legitimately hilarious to me. – 9:26 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
If Denver’s small guards are gonna be on the court, they gotta score. So far, so good. – 9:24 PM Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Markus Howard with two 3-pointers early on that are momentum-catching.
Malone elects to go with Howard and he’s making the best of his minutes.
The last 3-pointer was contested and still knocked it down. – 9:24 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Update: Nuggets are winning the 3PT line by 21 now.
Nuggets back up by 7
Denver is now winning the bench scoring battle 22-21 – 9:23 PM Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Bones Hyland did his best to try to prevent JaMychal Green from getting that technical foul.
Green STILL picked up the technical foul.
The vet has been smarter about the decision making – 9:23 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
JaMychal Green needed to let Bones talk him down there. The rookie’s head was in the right place. – 9:23 PM Matthew Tynan @Matthew_Tynan
Sure, y’all might wish you could be watching the Spurs-Nuggets game right now, but this infomercial for BatCaddy is really helping me with some gift ideas for that avid golfer in your family. – 9:23 PM Tas Melas @TasMelas
Bones Hyland’s nickname is “Bizzy”.
Yes, yes, yes, yes. yes. This is good. – 9:22 PM Michael Singer @msinger
J-Myke gets a tech. Bones did everything he could to get in between he and ref … and the official who gave it to him wasn’t even the one he was mad at. – 9:22 PM Katy Winge @katywinge
BIZZY alert in San Antonio – 9:20 PM Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Three straight 3-pointers for Bones Hyland.
Microwave type of scorer that only needs to see one go in before he’s feeling it.
Well, he’s feeling it. – 9:20 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Bones Hyland with 9 points off the bench, all from three
Nuggets are winning the 3PT line by 15 points
DEN by 5 while Jokic is resting – 9:19 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Bones Day. That’s three triples in seven minutes. – 9:19 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
he’s getting Bizzy 👀 – 9:19 PM San Antonio Spurs @spurs
DREEEEEW – 9:18 PM Katy Winge @katywinge
Coach Malone at the end of the first:
– Great job holding SAS to 44% from field
– Great job not allowing any offensive rebounds
Wants Denver to focus in on defending without fouling. Sent Spurs to the line 13 times in 1st quarter. – 9:16 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Need to see some Bones-Nnaji pick and rolls. It’s been too long. – 9:13 PM San Antonio Spurs @spurs
leading after one pic.twitter.com/u0qA0JRt2i – 9:13 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
1Q: Spurs by 1
Spurs erase Nuggets 8 point lead
Spurs winning FT line by 4 points
Lonnie 8 pts | Jokic 13 pts
Keldon 7 pts | Gordon 5 pts
White 6 pts – 9:13 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Down one after one pic.twitter.com/Lajf1uRcnr – 9:12 PM Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
With a lift from Lonnie’s 8 points off the bench, Spurs are up 29-28 after 1Q. – 9:12 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Spurs close the quarter on and 8-2 run as soon as Jokic left with his second foul.
SA up 29-28 after one. – 9:11 PM San Antonio Spurs @spurs
Lonnie was walking on air with this one
@Lonnie Walker pic.twitter.com/WWRNt8Wp5u – 9:11 PM Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Did anybody else win their:
Will the Denver Nuggets lose the lead once Nikola Jokic goes to the bench?
It was at -100000 but I HAD to take it. – 9:09 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Spurs bench outscoring the Nuggets bench 10-0 and the Spurs take the lead.
SA was down by 8 earlier. – 9:09 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
Denver’s bench playing like they’ve never seen each other or a basketball for their first few minutes again, I see. – 9:08 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
I don’t have high hopes for the Facu, Markus, Bones, Nnaji, JaMychal lineup. – 9:07 PM Adam Mares @Adam_Mares
Bones Hyland currently the 3rd biggest Nuggets player on the court. – 9:06 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
JOK333R making it rain! – 9:04 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
behind-the-back dime from Facu to JOK3R 😍 pic.twitter.com/PRcwniEo6x – 9:03 PM Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Maybe one positive from this road trip: It feels like the Monte Morris-Nikola Jokic pick-and-roll has leveled up. Denver went to it a bunch late vs. NOLA, and it was good at times in the playoffs. It’s never going to be the Murray-Jokic two-man game, but it’s still a weapon. – 9:01 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Jokic has 10 points in the 1Q.
4 paint, 6 points from three
Nuggets by 4
Keldon’s got 7 points in his return quarter – 9:01 PM San Antonio Spurs @spurs
and the crowd yells ….
🗣AND ONEEEE!!!! pic.twitter.com/VJDhB33n0K – 8:59 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
Denver needs Bones and Zeke to bring the positive contributions tonight. – 8:58 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
The Nuggets are asking Zeke Nnaji to chase around Lonnie Walker right now and that seems like a tough assignment. – 8:57 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
Gonna need Jokic to stop throwing elbows and screaming at refs demanding they give him a technical. – 8:54 PM Katy Winge @katywinge
Keys to the game
Nuggets vs Spurs round 2
🔑 Paint
🔑 Boards
🔑 Don’t leave for Denver early pic.twitter.com/LIcA1EPfsy – 8:53 PM San Antonio Spurs @spurs
Another Big Body THREEEEEE 👌 pic.twitter.com/oNgtpeIsVh – 8:52 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Joker asked for it and got it. Technical incoming. – 8:52 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
well hello JOK3R – 8:50 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
AG picking up right where he left off 💪 pic.twitter.com/bpVAbg7zci – 8:47 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Nuggets lead by 3 going into the 1st timeout.
Keldon back with a 3PT make. White with the and-1 on a drive.
Gordon continues where he left off the other night – attacking the Spurs by trying to score inside.
Gordon with 5 of 9 DEN points. – 8:47 PM Vinny Benedetto @VBenedetto
Aaron Gordon scores Denver’s first five points before Nikola Jokic gets a tip-in to go. Nuggets up 7-3 nearly three minutes in. – 8:46 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
This version of Aaron Gordon that relentlessly attacks the rim is awesome. – 8:44 PM San Antonio Spurs @spurs
No. 3⃣ for 3⃣ to get us started 💪 pic.twitter.com/7kV2gQ2VXn – 8:44 PM Michael Singer @msinger
If the #Nuggets are 3-3 on this road trip, that makes this … Game 7? Let’s go. pic.twitter.com/kUAq2xkT3p – 8:40 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
You never know what’s gonna happen on your way to the court… 😂 pic.twitter.com/PGdWhl0EN5 – 8:40 PM Katy Winge @katywinge
A little Davon Reed backstory for you as he gets his first start with the Denver Nuggets pic.twitter.com/z4wOis59uK – 8:36 PM Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Spurs starters back together again: Murray, White, McDermott, Johnson & Poeltl. – 8:31 PM San Antonio Spurs @spurs
Don’t miss out on your chance to win big tonight! Enter the Spurs Digital Arena pres. by @SociosHoops now for your shot at a $50 @HEB gift card pic.twitter.com/PX3VWDpChb – 8:25 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
pic.twitter.com/wr8HED5bY2 – 8:19 PM San Antonio Spurs @spurs
Saturday night starters
#GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/SaR1hDYpTf – 8:16 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Welcome to the starting lineup, @Davon Reed!
#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/TWBALnZYpt – 8:01 PM Katy Winge @katywinge
Davon Reed will start in place of Will Barton tonight (non-covid related sickness) for the Nuggets as they finish the road trip vs San Antonio. – 8:00 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
I bet Davon Reed starts tonight, which is objectively hilarious. – 7:58 PM Joe Mullinax @sbnGrizzlies
Zach Randolph said that Game 6 against the Spurs stands above all as favorite on-court memory, but he has so many here in Memphis – 7:45 PM Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Malone says he’s a “big, big fan” of Dejounte and his steady improvement:
“You can tell all the work he has put into his craft… Dejounte Murray impacts the game in so many manners. It is fun to watch young players kind of find themselves and continue to improve and improve.” – 7:42 PM Vinny Benedetto @VBenedetto
The Nuggets announce Will Barton III is out tonight vs. San Antonio with a non-COVID illness. – 7:34 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Will Barton is out tonight, I’m told, with a non-COVID related illness. – 7:33 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Will Barton (Non-COVID illness) is OUT for tonight’s game.
#MileHighBasketball – 7:33 PM Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Markieff Morris, for the third consecutive home game, shooting pregame on the main court. He has been out since Nov. 8 due to whiplash from his run-in that night with Denver’s Nikola Jokic. – 7:21 PM San Antonio Spurs @spurs
pregame drip 😎
#ULTRADrip | #GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/Xhyr5nxs0E – 7:21 PM Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Pop continues to rave about Tre Jones’ competitiveness and toughness:
“He is the ultimate competitor. He is very physical… That’s his personality on the court and it’s inspiring for everyone.” – 7:19 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
“You can tell all the work he’s put into his craft,” says Coach Malone on Dejounte Murray continuing to improve year after year. – 7:06 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Michael Malone on what needs to change tonight:
“Unfortunately after two nights ago, there’s a laundry list of items. Rebounding is certainly part of it. Transition defense…we just have to sit down and guard.”
“It gets tougher tonight because Keldon Johnson is back.” – 7:04 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Coach Malone says rebounding is the number one focus for Denver tonight. – 7:02 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Final fits of the trip 💧
#ULTRADrip x #MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/8MsAas7Rrn – 6:58 PM Neil Dalal @NeilDalal96
Wizards 10-game schedule to close out 2021 is absolutely brutal, will be quite the litmus test
vs Jazz
at Nuggets
at Kings
at Suns
at Jazz
at Nets
at Knicks
vs 76ers
at Heat
vs Cavs – 6:56 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Tonight is the first night in three weeks that the Nuggets are playing a game without having traveled beforehand. – 6:55 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Coach Pop says Keldon Johnson is available tonight vs Denver. – 6:47 PM Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Waiting for final word from Pop, but all signs point to Keldon Johnson returning tonight after a one-game absence due to a sprained right ankle. – 6:43 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Over/Under 12 3-pointers for the squad tonight?
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#MileHighBasketball – 5:52 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Big night tonight!
Good luck in your home opener, @MammothLax! pic.twitter.com/xkGCxfwpiY – 4:15 PM San Antonio Spurs @spurs
“Pride to me is being who I was born to be and not being sorry for it at all.” #𝐒𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬
Join us tonight at the @attcenter for our first-ever Pride Night! 🏳‍🌈 pic.twitter.com/TQ2yCDGmeM – 4:00 PM Evan Dunlap @BQRMagic
The Clippers should make this blue their primary. Not enough powder blue in the league now that the Nuggets have abandoned theirs. – 3:41 PM Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Nuggets injury update: Will Barton (non-COVID illness) is questionable for tonight at Spurs. – 3:34 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Stop by our Holiday retail event @BallArenaDenver any time until 4 pm today to pickup a jersey and ETW some signed merch!
#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/2OAE81y0El – 3:16 PM