Spurs Host Nuggets in Key Western Conference Matchup

Wembanyama's 40-point performance leads Spurs into fourth meeting with Jokic's Nuggets

Apr. 12, 2026 at 6:54pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting an abstract basketball game, with sharp geometric shapes and planes of color representing the players and action on the court.The Spurs and Nuggets' star-studded clash showcases the NBA's next generation of talent through a cubist lens.San Antonio Today

The San Antonio Spurs will host the Denver Nuggets on Sunday in a crucial Western Conference showdown. The Spurs are coming off a 139-120 win over the Dallas Mavericks in which star rookie Victor Wembanyama scored 40 points. This will be the fourth meeting of the season between the two teams, with the Nuggets winning the previous matchup 136-134 in overtime.

Why it matters

Both the Spurs and Nuggets are contending for top spots in the Western Conference playoff race, making this a pivotal game with major implications for the postseason. Wembanyama's continued dominance and the battle between the Spurs' rising star and the Nuggets' veteran superstar Nikola Jokic adds extra intrigue to the matchup.

The details

The Spurs enter the game with a 62-19 record, second in the West, while the Nuggets are 53-28 and third in the conference. In the previous meeting, Jokic scored 40 points for the Nuggets and Wembanyama had 34 for the Spurs. San Antonio has been on a roll, going 9-1 in their last 10 games and averaging 126 points per game. The Nuggets have also been dominant, winning their last 10 games and scoring 131.2 points per game on average.

  • The game will tip off at 8:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, April 12, 2026.
  • The Spurs and Nuggets have met three times already this season, with Denver winning the most recent matchup 136-134 in overtime on April 4.

The players

Victor Wembanyama

The star rookie for the San Antonio Spurs, who is averaging 24.1 points per game over the last 10 games and scored 40 points in the Spurs' last outing.

Nikola Jokic

The veteran superstar for the Denver Nuggets, who scored 40 points in the Nuggets' previous win over the Spurs.

Stephon Castle

The Spurs' starting point guard, who leads the team with 7.4 assists per game but is currently out with a knee injury.

Christian Braun

The Nuggets' starting small forward, who is averaging 3.8 fast break points per game but is currently out with an ankle injury.

De'Aaron Fox

The Spurs' starting shooting guard, who is averaging 18.5 points and 6.2 assists per game.

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What they’re saying

“We must continue to play with the same energy and intensity that has led to our recent success.”

— Gregg Popovich, Head Coach, San Antonio Spurs

“Jokic is playing at an MVP level, and we'll need to find a way to slow him down if we want to come away with the win.”

— Michael Malone, Head Coach, Denver Nuggets

What’s next

The winner of this game will take a big step towards securing home-court advantage in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

The takeaway

This matchup between the surging Spurs and the dominant Nuggets features two of the NBA's brightest young stars in Wembanyama and Jokic, setting the stage for an exciting and high-stakes clash between two top contenders in the West.