“I should have done a better job, maybe more assertive,” said Victor Wembanyama after the loss to the Nuggets.
SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs lost to the Denver Nuggets 113-110 overtime at home. The Spurs are 1-1 against Denver this season.
Victor Wembanyama led the team with 20 points and 23 rebounds. Harrison Barnes had 22, and Chris Paul had two and eight assists.
Devin Vassell recorded 19 and eight rebounds, Keldon Johnson had 10 and eight rebounds, and Zach Collins finished with four. Stephon Castle had 10. Julian Champagnie added 10.
Head coach Gregg Popovich was also out due to illness. Assistant coach Mitch Johnson assumed head coaching duties for the game.
The Spurs are 18-17 this season and will visit the Bulls on Monday night.
Here’s a sample of what the teams said after the game.
Mitch Johnson:
“I was probably more disappointed tonight in our offense, especially in the fourth quarter. Just felt like we got a little stagnant.”
“You don’t play a team of that caliber two nights in a row as well as we did without saying you’re doing some good things. So it’s that never-ending battle. It improvement and perfection and growing.”
“I thought tonight I could have been better. Obviously, when you’re playing a good player like (Nikola) Jokic, he’s going to find teammates, create some difficult matchups. But I thought we could have done a better job.”
“Victor (Wembanyama) has been phenomenal all season. I think he rose to the occasion, obviously, playing against multi-time MVP, Jokic, and last night tonight doing it on both ends of the floor. He’s been amazing,”
Wembanyama:
“We did our mistakes for sure, 20 turnovers, and also got to respect their scouting. And I’m stepping up. If I needed the ball more. It’s on me because, especially playing against teams like that, back-to-back over there. I should have done a better job, maybe more assertive.”
Coach Mike Malone: