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.

No cornerback has been named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year since Stephon Gilmore in 2019. Sean Payton strongly believes Pat Surtain II should end that streak.

“It’s an easy case to make,” the Broncos head coach said. “Sometimes it’s a more difficult case to make, but certainly he’s deserving of that type of award. He’s that good.”

Surtain, Denver’s star defensive back, is currently a betting favorite to be named the AP Defensive Player of the Year, according to FanDuel. He is ahead of outside linebackers T.J. Watt (Steelers), Myles Garrett (Browns) and Andrew Van Ginkel (Vikings), and safety Kerby Joseph (Lions).

Teammate and outside linebacker Nik Bonitto has the ninth-best odds to win the award.

The last three winners have been edge rushers, most recently Garrett in 2023. Surtain, however, has a strong case to end that run.

Surtain has taken his game to another level after signing a four-year, $96 million extension in the offseason. In 15 games, he has given up 33 catches for 279 yards, two touchdowns and 56 passer rating on 54 targets. Surtain also has four interceptions, including a 100-yard pick-six in a Week 5 win over the Raiders.

He was named to his third Pro Bowl in four years on Thursday, and will more than likely be named an All-Pro for the second time.

“Pat is the standard,” Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said. “Every game, he has been focused on playing his best ball. Whoever he went against this year, he was trying to dominate that player.”

Chiefs resting a handful of key players: Kansas City revealed on Friday a long list of players who will be sidelined for Sunday’s regular-season finale at Empower Field at Mile High.

Defensive tackle Chris Jones, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, cornerback Trent McDuffie, linebacker Nick Bolton, running back Kareem Hunt, outside linebacker George Karlaftis, tight end Travis Kelce, safety Justin Reid and linebacker Drue Tranquill — who blocked the potential game-winning field goal in Week 10 — are doubtful to play against Denver.

Meanwhile, running back Isiah Pacheco, offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor, wide receiver Mecole Hardman and cornerback Jaylen Watson have been officially ruled out.

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Originally Published: January 3, 2025 at 4:39 PM MST

Jared Bednar knows his bank account is going to take a hit in the coming days and, in his words, he does not care.

Bednar went off after Colorado’s incredible 6-5 comeback win Thursday night against the Buffalo Sabres at Ball Arena. His ire was directed at a Buffalo goal that was allowed despite Avs goalie Scott Wedgewood writhing in pain inside his net as it was scored early in the third period.

Sabres forward Zach Benson was pushed into the Colorado net, and Wedgewood fell backward onto him. As Wedgewood was laying on the ice, Benson eventually got the puck and scored on a wraparound goal to give the Sabres a 4-2 lead.

“The referee said (the whistle) wasn’t blown because we put their guy into Scott,” Bednar said. “I said, ‘I don’t give a (expletive). He’s hurt. They’re standing there. He’s sitting there. He’s hurt. Blow this whistle.’

“If the puck is in the net front still and they’re hacking away at it and it goes in, I’d say fine. But as soon as the puck squirts to the corner, they got to blow it dead. They do it all the time for regular players because of player safety. The rule would state that we have to touch it, but they never follow that rule.”

Bednar said he wasn’t specifically mad at officials TJ Luxmore and Corey Syvret, but the inconsistency of when the guys in stripes do or do not blow plays dead for injuries. He pointed out that this game was stopped when Mikko Rantanen and Rasmus Dahlin collided in the neutral zone and the Buffalo captain stayed down on the ice.

He also noted a play two games ago when Cale Makar was about to line up a shot, but an opposing player was on the ice in the slot so play was stopped.

“If he’s hurt and he’s not getting up and they’re standing there looking at it, the whistle should go. It’s just that simple,” Bednar said. “For them to just let it go and then allow the goal is insanity to me. It’s a player safety thing. If they would have loaded up (Rasmus) Dahlin for a one-timer, for a 105-mile an hour slap shot, they are just going to let it (expletive) happen with our goalie down in the net? Can’t do it. Got to blow it dead.”

Avs defenseman Devon Toews, who scored the game-winning goal in the first minute of overtime, also mentioned player safety as the main reason why the play should have been stopped before the goal was scored.

There was a long delay after the goal while Wedgewood was attended to on the ice. He was not able to put any weight on his right leg as he was helped off to the dressing room. Bednar said Wedgewood needs to be evaluated, but he will miss some time.

When the officials were ready to resume play, Bednar challenged the play for goaltender interference … even though he knew it wasn’t.

“Yeah, it gives them another chance to do the right thing,” Bednar said when asked if that was done in protest. “The goal shouldn’t have counted. Yeah, I was mad so … we just did it.”

When asked if there was any recourse for the Avalanche after the fact, Bednar acknowledged that he will likely be fined by the NHL for his postgame rant.

“We’ll call the league,” Bednar said. “After this presser, I’m sure I’ll get a call from the league. I don’t care. That wasn’t a difficult call. Again, I’m not picking on the guys who were out there tonight. Any one of the four guys could be looking at it and just blow the whistle.

“It’s not just that it went in. How long are you going to let it go? They talk about player safety, player safety. If they pass it to the slot and someone hammers a one-timer off his head, then what? … Just make the call. They blown it down on plays like that when guys go down like that in the neutral zone but then they’re not going to do it with your goalie? It makes no sense.”

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