The San Antonio Spurs delivered one of the most dramatic performances of the NBA Cup season, rallying from an 18-point third-quarter deficit to defeat the Denver Nuggets 139-136 on Friday night in Denver. The victory propels the Spurs into the NBA Cup quarterfinals while handing the defending champions their third consecutive home loss.
A Dominant First Half Turns Into a Nightmare
Denver looked unstoppable early, with the Nuggets building a commanding
15-point halftime lead behind a devastating 23-6 run to close the second quarter. Jamal Murray opened the third quarter with a quick three-pointer to extend Denver's advantage to
18 points, seemingly putting the game out of reach. Nikola Jokic orchestrated the offense with his signature playmaking, including a jaw-dropping behind-the-back assist to Spencer Jones in the second quarter.
But the Spurs had other plans.
The Spurs' Shooting Clinic Changes Everything
Without star forward
Victor Wembanyama sidelined by a calf injury, San Antonio leaned heavily on perimeter shooting—a strategy that proved devastatingly effective.
Devin Vassell erupted for a season-high
33 points, connecting on an impressive
7-of-9 from three-point range. Julian Champagnie added a season-best
25 points as the Spurs' outside shooting overwhelmed Denver's defense.
The Spurs' offensive efficiency was remarkable: eight different players hit at least one three-pointer, and the team made an astounding
30 of 32 free throws. San Antonio also capitalized on Denver's sloppiness, scoring
30 points off 17 Nuggets turnovers—a decisive advantage in a close contest.
A Fourth-Quarter Masterclass
By the end of the third quarter, the Spurs had completely flipped the script, trailing just
104-103 heading into the final frame. The momentum had shifted entirely to San Antonio, and Denver couldn't recover despite Murray's heroic individual performance.
Individual Performances
Jamal Murray led all scorers with
37 points and added
7 assists, becoming the fifth player in Nuggets franchise history to surpass
10,000 career points, joining Alex English, Nikola Jokic, Dan Issel, and Carmelo Anthony. Cam Johnson contributed
28 points off the bench, while Jokic finished with a
triple-double, though his
21 points couldn't match his usual dominance.
The Nuggets were hampered by injuries, missing starters
Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and
Christian Braun (ankle), while the Spurs played without
Stephon Castle (hip) in addition to Wembanyama.
What's Next
The Spurs improve to
13-5 with the victory and will travel to Minnesota to face the Timberwolves on Sunday night. The Nuggets, now also
13-5, head to Phoenix to take on the Suns on Saturday night in the second game of a back-to-back.
This comeback victory showcases the Spurs' resilience and their ability to execute under pressure—a promising sign as they advance deeper into the NBA Cup tournament.
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1.
Spurs Rally From 18-Point Deficit to Edge Nuggets 139-1362.
Devin Vassell Highlights - NBA3.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Denver Nuggets - NBA on NBC4.
Denver Nuggets vs. San Antonio Spurs Game Recap
Sources
1. Spurs rally from 18-point deficit to edge Nuggets 139-136, advance ...
2. Devin Vassell COULDN'T MISS With 7 3PM! | November 28, 2025
3. San Antonio Spurs vs. Denver Nuggets | NBA on NBC | 11/28/25
4. Denver Nuggets vs. San Antonio Spurs Highlights - YouTube
