San Antonio Spurs vs Denver Nuggets Match Player Stats & Box Score 2026

Quarter-by-Quarter Score Breakdown

How the game unfolded period by period

The Spurs burst out of the gates with a 41-33 first-quarter lead, fueled by a blazing 17-3 closing run. Devin Vassell was the catalyst, scoring 7 of San Antonio’s first 12 points with relentless aggression from the opening tip.

Denver flipped the script in the second quarter with a massive 23-6 blitz. Nikola Jokic orchestrated a jaw-dropping behind-the-back assist to Spencer Jones, and the Nuggets seized a 74-59 halftime lead — a 15-point swing that had Spurs fans worried.

The third quarter looked like Denver would put the game away. A Jamal Murray triple to open Q3 stretched the lead to 18 — but the Spurs responded with a ferocious 20-6 run to close the quarter. San Antonio entered Q4 trailing by just 104-103.

The fourth quarter was a wire-to-wire battle with seven lead changes. Tim Hardaway Jr. was a flamethrower for Denver, but Vassell matched him shot for shot. With under a minute left, Vassell buried back-to-back triples to put the Spurs up by six, sealing a stunning 139-136 victory.

Team Stats Comparison

Side-by-side team totals from the San Antonio Spurs vs Denver Nuggets match

Full Game Recap — Spurs 139, Nuggets 136

Opening Quarter: Spurs Strike First

Devin Vassell signaled his intentions immediately, scoring 7 of San Antonio’s first 12 points to set an aggressive tone. The Spurs, missing both Wembanyama and Castle, leaned heavily on their perimeter shooting and forced Denver into early defensive errors.

A dominant 17-3 closing run gave San Antonio a surprising 41-33 lead after one quarter. Eight different Spurs players would connect on at least one three-pointer by game’s end — a necessary adjustment without their rim-running superstar center.

Second Quarter: Nuggets’ Stunning Reversal

Denver’s quality became apparent in Q2. Nikola Jokic flashed his MVP-caliber vision with a breathtaking behind-the-back assist to Spencer Jones, sparking a 23-6 Nuggets blitz that left San Antonio reeling.

Jokic also hit a crucial turnaround to extend the lead while Jamal Murray began warming up in preparation for his historic night. The halftime score read DEN 74, SAS 59 — a 15-point Denver lead that seemed to give the Nuggets full control.

Third Quarter: Murray’s Milestone — and the Spurs’ Miracle Run

Murray opened Q3 with a quick three-pointer that pushed Denver’s lead to 18 — their largest advantage of the night. In those same opening minutes, Murray’s scoring put him over 10,000 career points, making him the fifth Nugget franchise player to reach that milestone, joining Alex English, Jokic, Dan Issel, and Carmelo Anthony.

But the Spurs refused to die. Champagnie ignited a comeback with a four-point play, and Fox’s ball movement (he would finish with 12 assists) kept the offense flowing. A stunning 20-6 Spurs closing run saw San Antonio trail by just 104-103 entering the final quarter.

Fourth Quarter: Heart-Stopping Finish

The fourth quarter had everything — seven lead changes, clutch shots, defensive stops, and two brilliant competitors going head-to-head. Tim Hardaway Jr. hit back-to-back bombs to give Denver brief leads, but the Spurs answered every time.

With 54.9 seconds left and the score tied at 126, Vassell hit consecutive three-pointers to put San Antonio up 132-126. Denver fought back to within 3, but the Spurs converted their final 7 free throws down the stretch. Final score: 139-136 Spurs.

Top Performers — Spurs vs Nuggets Player Stats

⭐ Devin Vassell (SAS) — 35 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST

Vassell delivered a career-defining performance in Denver. His 12-of-17 field goal shooting and 7-of-9 from three-point range were elite numbers in any context. With Wembanyama unavailable, Vassell stepped into the offensive void and dragged the Spurs to victory almost single-handedly.

His back-to-back triples with under 55 seconds remaining were the decisive shots of the game — clinical, cold-blooded, and earned. The 35-point total was the third-highest single-game mark of his career.

⭐ Jamal Murray (DEN) — 37 PTS, 5 REB, 7 AST

Murray was arguably the best player on the floor for most of the game. His 37 points on 13-of-20 shooting included a memorable early sequence where he became the fifth Nugget ever to reach 10,000 career points. He was relentless in Q3 and Q4, but ultimately couldn’t overcome Denver’s turnover problem.

The 37-point game was Murray’s highest-scoring output of the 2025-26 season to that date, underlining his career-high 23.2 points-per-game average heading into this matchup.

⭐ Julian Champagnie (SAS) — 25 PTS, 7 REB, 3 AST

The Spurs’ second-leading scorer was outstanding in his season-best performance. Champagnie’s four-point play in Q3 was arguably the turning point of the entire game — a single possession that transformed Denver’s comfortable lead into a psychological battle.

⭐ Nikola Jokić (DEN) — 21 PTS, 12 REB, 11 AST (Triple-Double)

Even in a loss, Jokic’s brilliance was undeniable. He recorded a triple-double despite being pestered by Sochan (who served as a makeshift center). His behind-the-back assist in Q2 drew gasps from the entire arena. His efficiency was reduced compared to his norm (29.6 PPG entering the game), but his impact on the flow of play remained enormous.

⭐ De’Aaron Fox (SAS) — 18 PTS, 4 REB, 12 AST

Fox’s playmaking was the engine of the Spurs comeback. He reached double-digit assists midway through Q3 and orchestrated every meaningful Spurs possession down the stretch. His 12 assists against just 3 turnovers was a masterclass in floor leadership under pressure.

⭐ Cameron Johnson (DEN) — 28 PTS, 6 REB, 2 AST

The Nuggets’ marquee offseason acquisition had another strong outing. Johnson’s 10-of-16 shooting and 6-of-9 from downtown showed exactly why Denver paid premium to acquire him. With Aaron Gordon sidelined, Johnson is filling a major leadership void for the Nuggets and averaging 16.0 PPG over his last 5 games.

Key Moments Timeline

The pivotal plays that decided the San Antonio Spurs vs Denver Nuggets match

• Q1 1:00Spurs close Q1 on a 17-3 run to lead 41-33. Vassell has 12 points already.
• Q2 5:00Jokic threads a behind-the-back assist to Spencer Jones — Nuggets’ 15-0 run begins. Denver surges to a 7-point lead.
• Q2 1:42Denver completes a 23-6 second-quarter blitz. Halftime: DEN 74, SAS 59.
• Q3 11:20Murray hits his third bucket of the quarter — becomes the 5th player in Nuggets history to surpass 10,000 career points. Lead grows to 18.
• Q3 4:00Champagnie converts a four-point play — electric momentum shift. Spurs begin their 20-6 closing run in Q3.
• Q3 0:43Fox reaches 10 assists as the Spurs take their first lead since Q2 at 103-101.
• Q4 1:41Nuggets tie at 126-126 — the game’s 7th lead change of the fourth quarter alone.
• Q4 0:55VASSELL TRIPLE. SAS 129-126. Then ANOTHER VASSELL TRIPLE. SAS 132-126. Game effectively over.
• FINALSpurs convert 7 free throws in final 30 seconds. Final score: SAS 139 – DEN 136. Spurs clinch West Group C.

Injuries & Absences — Impact on the Match

San Antonio Spurs Injury Report

Victor Wembanyama (calf) — Out. The Spurs’ franchise cornerstone was unavailable for at least another week. Wembanyama was averaging a staggering 26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 4.0 blocks per game — leading the NBA in both rebounding and shot-blocking. His absence forced a complete tactical overhaul.

Stephon Castle (hip) — Out. The third-year guard was averaging 17.3 PPG and providing critical shot creation. His absence increased Fox and Vassell’s playmaking responsibilities significantly.

Dylan Harper (calf) — Returned from 10-game absence. The second overall pick in the 2025 Draft played 17 limited minutes in his comeback game. Coach Mitch Johnson praised his impact: “We needed all 16½ minutes of his.”

Denver Nuggets Injury Report

Aaron Gordon (hamstring) — Out. Denver’s versatile starting forward was averaging 18.8 PPG. His absence left a massive hole in Denver’s defensive versatility and offensive second-unit scoring.

Christian Braun (ankle) — Out. The high-energy wing was sidelined, forcing Peyton Watson into a larger starting role. Watson responded strongly with 16 points and 7 rebounds.

Despite these injury lists, both teams managed high-caliber performances — which made the 275 combined points and three-point barrage all the more remarkable.

NBA Standings & Season Context After This Match

San Antonio Spurs — 2025-26 Season

The win improved San Antonio’s record to 13-5. The Spurs were on a remarkable tear — despite the absence of their No. 1 player, they had won 7 of their last 10 games. Their depth-first approach, elite three-point shooting, and De’Aaron Fox’s veteran leadership were carrying them through the injury crisis.

The NBA Cup West Group C title meant the Spurs would advance to the Cup quarterfinals, giving their younger players a taste of playoff-intensity basketball. Coach Mitch Johnson’s flexible defensive schemes were drawing widespread league attention.

Denver Nuggets — 2025-26 Season

The loss dropped Denver to 13-6 — still an excellent record, but their third consecutive home defeat signaled a concerning trend. The Nuggets were averaging 123.8 PPG and ranked 8th in defensive rating entering the game, but their 17 turnovers were a recurring weakness exposing them late in close games.

Despite the loss, Nikola Jokic continued his MVP-caliber campaign averaging 29.6 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 11.1 assists — triple-double averages that would be historic over any full season. Denver’s next game was a road back-to-back at Phoenix.

Spurs vs Nuggets Head-to-Head History (Recent)

The San Antonio Spurs vs Denver Nuggets rivalry has a long and storied history, but the 2025-26 season added new chapters with two sharply contested and high-scoring games.

What stands out in recent matchups is San Antonio’s ability to win at Ball Arena in Denver — traditionally one of the toughest road venues in the NBA due to the altitude factor. The Spurs’ perimeter-heavy offense actually neutralizes Denver’s home-court altitude advantage, as three-point shooting is not significantly impacted by altitude.

The Nuggets, led by Jokic, remain the dominant team in the head-to-head series long-term, but the 2025-26 Spurs are a genuine threat to that hierarchy.