The NBA Cup offers teams a taste of playoff intensity early in the season, and the San Antonio Spurs showed their mettle against the Denver Nuggets. While Nikola Jokic didn’t have his best scoring night, he made a significant impact with a triple-double, assisting Jamal Murray and Cam Johnson, who both produced strong performances.
Devin Vassell shone for the Spurs, scoring 35 points, while Julian Champagnie added 25. Even though DeAaron didn’t light up the scoreboard as usual, his 12 assists were key to the win. The Spurs minimized mistakes with only eight turnovers, while the Nuggets committed 16. This discipline helped them rebound from an 18-point deficit during the third quarter.
Both teams were missing crucial players. The Spurs achieved a noteworthy victory in Denver, particularly impressive without their standout player, Stephon Castle, who has been vital this season.
As the group stage of the NBA Cup wraps up, the Spurs have a busy schedule ahead. They will face the Minnesota Timberwolves next and will play the Memphis Grizzlies at home shortly after. The week after features away games against the Magic, Cavaliers, and Pelicans. The NBA Cup knockout tournament is just around the corner, with the Spurs aiming for a shot at the quarterfinals.
This early-season tournament has sparked mixed reactions from fans. Some celebrate the added excitement, while others find it unnecessary. A survey indicated that 53% of basketball fans believe the tournament enhances the season, while 47% think it distracts from traditional play. As the season progresses, it’ll be interesting to see how sentiments shift, especially as the tournament unfolds.
For more on the NBA Cup and its impact on the season, check out this NPR article.
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