Winning streaks, no matter how modest, have a way of turning heads. After all, winning doesn’t just mask flaws— for a young team it can serve as a megaphone for potential. For the Spurs, riding the wave of a two-game winning streak, Saturday night’s rematch against the Denver Nuggets presents an opportunity to keep the good vibes rolling.

Last night’s victory over the Nuggets was no small feat. Facing a team headlined by Nikola Jokić, the Spurs managed to pull off an upset that featured standout performances from their young core, including—you guessed it—Victor Wembanyama. The rookie sensation’s presence in the paint and versatility on both ends of the floor were instrumental, and if San Antonio hopes to repeat the feat, they’ll likely need another big night from him.

Of course, back-to-back matchups in the NBA often turn into chess matches. Denver will surely make adjustments, particularly after a game where their offense stalled for stretches against a Spurs team that seemed to find its defensive rhythm. Expect Jokić to come out firing, eager to remind everyone why he’s a two-time MVP, and watch for Jamal Murray to step up after a quiet-ish performance last night.

For the Spurs, sustaining momentum means ironing out their weak points. Their defense in transition remains a question mark, and while the bench contributed admirably in the last outing, consistency has been elusive this season. San Antonio’s backup bigs will need to hold the fort when Wembanyama takes a breather, especially against a Denver front-court maestro who can easily punish mismatches.

The Nuggets, for their part, know how to respond to adversity. They’re still a top-tier team, ranking in the NBA’s upper echelon in offensive efficiency (4th in offensive rating, 3rd in scoring) and one off-night isn’t going to derail their championship ambitions.

For now, though, San Antonio has a chance to extend their win streak to three games. Can they stay one step ahead of a determined Denver squad, or will the Nuggets squash the Spurs’ momentum before it really gets rolling?

One thing’s for sure: The Frost Bank Center should be buzzing, and with Wembanyama on the court, anything feels possible.

Denver Nuggets at San Antonio Spurs

January 4th, 2025 | 7:00 CT

Watch: FanDuel Sports Network Southwest |Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)

Spurs Injuries: Jeremy Sochan – Out (Back)

Nuggets Injuries: Aaron Gordon – Out (Calf), Vlatko Cancar – Out (Knee)

What to watch for

Victor Wembanyama: Winter Terror

By this point, you’ve probably seen the glory that is Wemby’s December stat line, but somehow he’s managed to find yet another gear over the last 10 games, sitting within spitting distance of averaging a 4×5 (29/9/4/4.9) on a 39/49/90 shooting split in just 33 minutes. To say that he’s must-watch television is somehow an understatement right now.

For the Nuggets fan’s perspective, please visit Denver Stiffs.

PtR’s Game thread will be up this evening for those who want to chat through the game. You can also follow along with the action through PtR’s Twitter feed.