Wembanyama absent, Spurs edge Nuggets 139-136 in Denver

Without Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs pulled off a stunning road victory over the Denver Nuggets — 139-136 — at Ball Arena on November 28, 2025, in a high-octane regular season clash that went down to the final possession. In the absence of their franchise cornerstone, San Antonio leaned on a collective effort headlined by a historic shooting performance from Devin Vassell to silence a dangerous Nuggets squad.

Vassell on fire, Spurs weather Denver’s storm in four quarters

San Antonio set the tone early, with Devin Vassell catching fire from beyond the arc and refusing to cool down. The shooting guard connected on 7-of-9 three-pointers, finishing with 35 points on 12-of-17 shooting — a performance that repeatedly bailed out a Spurs offense that struggled to find consistent rhythm through De’Aaron Fox, who shot just 6-of-19 from the field despite dishing out 12 assists. Julian Champagnie added a crucial double-double with 25 points and 10 rebounds, going a perfect 10-of-10 from the free-throw line to keep San Antonio afloat whenever Denver mounted a run.

The Nuggets refused to fold, with Jamal Murray putting on a dazzling show of his own. The Canadian guard posted 37 points on 13-of-20 shooting, while Cameron Johnson chipped in 28 points on an efficient 10-of-16 effort, burying 6 threes. Nikola Jokic, the perennial MVP, contributed a near-triple-double of 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 10 assists, yet his team’s defensive lapses at critical moments proved too costly.

In the fourth quarter, with both teams exchanging blows inside a raucous Ball Arena, it was Vassell’s relentless offense and Keldon Johnson’s energy off the bench — 14 points, 8 rebounds, a team-best +14 — that ultimately tipped the balance. San Antonio’s ability to manufacture points at the line was decisive: Julian Champagnie’s perfect free-throw performance down the stretch kept the Spurs’ narrow lead intact through the final buzzer.

The turning point: Keldon Johnson and Champagnie absorb Denver’s pressure

The defining sequence came in the game’s closing minutes, when Denver, led by Murray’s relentless attacking, cut what had been a double-digit Spurs lead to a single possession. It was Julian Champagnie — not a star in the conventional sense — who answered the call, converting clutch free throws and securing key boards to prevent a Nuggets comeback. Meanwhile, Keldon Johnson’s hustle on the glass and timely scoring provided San Antonio with a stabilizing force that offset Fox’s rough shooting night. Luke Kornet’s 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks in 28 minutes also gave the Spurs the interior presence they needed without their primary anchor.

What to take away: Spurs prove their depth without their star

The night Vassell stepped into the spotlight

With Wembanyama sidelined, there was a legitimate question about whether San Antonio had the firepower to compete on the road against a contender. Devin Vassell answered emphatically. His 35-point, 7-of-9 three-point explosion was one of the most efficient offensive performances of his career, and a reminder that this roster carries more than one dangerous weapon.

A Spurs team built for adversity

San Antonio’s victory underscores a broader theme: even without the n°1 pick of the 2023 Draft, the Spurs have assembled enough complementary talent to steal games from Western Conference heavyweights. The collective box score — four players in double figures, balanced rebounding, and 28 free-throw attempts as a team — paints the picture of a team that competes through depth and effort, not just individual brilliance.

Looking ahead: Wembanyama’s return and the Western race

The French phenomenon’s absence loomed large over this game, yet San Antonio managed without him. His return will be the central storyline to watch as the Spurs look to build on this momentum in an increasingly competitive Western Conference. A victory like this — on the road, against Jokic and company, in a 139-136 barnburner — could prove to be a defining moment in what is shaping up to be a pivotal regular season for Victor Wembanyama’s squad.