Coming off a win in Portland versus the Trail Blazers, the Spurs entered Ball Arena to take on the Denver Nuggets. Both teams were 2-1 in Group C play, and the winner would advance to the NBA Cup Quarterfinals. The Spurs came out guns blazing in the first quarter, outscoring the Nuggets 41-33. The second quarter was a different story. Due to Denver getting the Spurs in foul trouble, the Nuggets embarked on a 15-0 run and outscored the silver and black 41-18 in the quarter.
Coming out of halftime with a 15-point deficit, the Spurs could have succumbed to the pressure, as many third quarters in the past have haunted them, but instead, they chose to fight and claw their way back. The Spurs embarked on a run of their own: 20-3 to take the lead back. They outscored Denver 44-30 in the quarter and now had a one-point deficit. The fourth quarter felt like a heavyweight fight. When it seemed like Denver was about to go on a run, the Spurs answered every bucket with one of their own.
Then, in a tie ballgame, with just over a minute to go, Devin Vassell activated the hidden clutch gene. He had already caught fire with 25 points and five threes, but he drained a go-ahead three to give the Spurs a slight edge. Then, thanks to Jamal Murray’s turnover, the Spurs extended their lead on behalf of Vassell again. He drained another three to give him 31 points and his seventh three of the game. After both teams traded free throws down the stretch, the Spurs ultimately won 139-136. They advance to the NBA Cup Quarterfinals to play the Los Angeles Lakers in LA on December 10th at 9:00 P.M. (CST) on Prime Video.
Devin Vassell led the way with a season-high 35 points (12-17 FG, 7-9 3PT), three rebounds, two assists, and a steal. This is it. This is the Dev we all know and love. The last time he had a scoring outburst this big was last season against the Brooklyn Nets, when he achieved his career-high of 37. He was on fire from everywhere on the floor, especially from three. He was also unbelievably clutch down the stretch when the Spurs needed to pull away. Hopefully, this sparks his game and confidence for the rest of the season.
Getting right to work! Dev puts the Spurs on the board first with a leaning middy over Nikola Jokic!
Corner Specialist! After Luke Kornet rejects Jonas Valanciunas, the Spurs push the ball down the court, and they find Dev in the corner, who splashes home the three!
CLUTCH. Dev knocks down the go-ahead three with 1:25 remaining in the game!
CLUTCH x2. Dev provides some cushion to the Spurs’ lead with his second three in a row, and seventh for the game! Tim Hardaway Jr. tried to contest, and it did not matter!
Julian Champagnie dropped his third straight double-double: 25 points (10-10 FT) and 10 rebounds to go along with two assists, two blocks, and a steal. The Spurs may have found something with putting Julian at the four in key spots. His versatility allows him to play shooting guard, small forward, or power forward, especially if he’s grabbing boards consistently. Even when Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama return from injury, he still has to play key minutes in the rotation if he keeps this up.
De’Aaron Fox dropped a double-double: 15 points and 12 assists to go along with a rebound, a steal, and a block. Fox shot an inefficient six of nineteen from the field, but he still found other ways to contribute. Thanks to Dev and Julian’s scoring output, he did not need to do his usual heroic act in the fourth. The 12 dimes he dished out were from pick and rolls, fastbreaks, and simply making the extra pass. Look for him to bounce back scoring-wise, it’s in his DNA after all.
Lob City in the Mile High City! Speaking of pick and rolls, D-Fox finds Kornet on the lob for the easy slam! Kornet finished with 12 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two blocks.
AND-ONE! Fox fought off Bruce Brown and drove his way into the paint with a crafty finish between three Nuggets defenders for the and-one!
Keldon Johnson dropped 14 points, eight rebounds, and two assists off the bench. He provided a spark off the bench and helped kickstart a much-needed comeback in the third. He also had the highest plus/minus of any Spur with +14. KJ filled his role on offense by draining some key threes and standing in the dunker spot for east buckets like this one on Jokic. Don’t jump!
Dylan Harper dropped 11 points, three assists, and three steals in just 15 minutes off the bench. Dylan is now in his second game back from injury and is still playing on a minutes restriction. Nonetheless, he still made an impact in an important game. For a rookie, he plays the passing lanes well on defense. His finishing ability makes you feel like you’re watching an experienced scorer. Dylan is playing with little to no fear and has the potential to be a great two-way player with plays like picking off Jokic and finishing with speed and ease on the other end!
One of the great wins of the young season! For a team to come out hot, go cold, and get hot again shows signs of true growth. Dev and Julian stepped up in the scoring department when the team needed it. Once again, if the team is doing without Castle and Wemby, imagine the ceiling! They won the dreaded group of death and now have a chance to compete for the NBA Cup in Las Vegas! With the quarterfinals less than two weeks away, the silver and black still have business to take care of against the Timberwolves, Grizzlies, Magic, Cavs, and Pelicans.
Finally, here are the full game highlights.
The Spurs take on the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center this Sunday at 6:00 P.M. (CST) on FDSN-SW.
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