NBA roundup: Antetokounmpo leads Bucks over Spurs as Nuggets down Warriors

In the second game of a highly anticipated doubleheader on Thursday, Nikola Jokic delivered a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer, securing a thrilling 130-127 victory for the reigning champion Denver Nuggets over the Golden State Warriors. Despite trailing by 18 points in the fourth quarter, the Nuggets managed to stage an impressive comeback.

Wembanyama, who had been recovering from an ankle injury that caused him to miss the Spurs' previous game against the Milwaukee Bucks in December, was limited to 26 minutes on the court during his much-anticipated first encounter with Antetokounmpo.

The French rookie showcased his talent by scoring 27 points, grabbing nine rebounds, and blocking five shots. However, it was the captivating battle between Antetokounmpo and Wembanyama that stole the spotlight in San Antonio. Antetokounmpo praised Wembanyama's exceptional skills and compared him to himself, acknowledging the rookie's combination of size and talent.

Wembanyama impressed the fans with his remarkable shots, including a jaw-dropping dunk off his own bounce off the backboard in the first half. Antetokounmpo, on the other hand, contributed 14 rebounds to go along with his crucial three-pointer that tied the game at 118-118 with three minutes remaining. He also drew a charge on Wembanyama and later hit another three-pointer to give the Bucks a 121-118 lead.

The game was an entertaining affair, with the score tied at 93-93 heading into the fourth quarter, which witnessed eight lead changes. Despite the Spurs' valiant effort, they were unable to secure the upset victory, as they have struggled this season, winning only five games.

For Wembanyama, the matchup against Antetokounmpo was a special opportunity to test himself against a player he had admired while growing up. Antetokounmpo, a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player and the leader of the Bucks' championship-winning team in 2021, served as an extra motivation for Wembanyama, who expressed his desire to compete against the best and embrace the role of the "bad guy" on the court.

Overall, it was an exhilarating game that showcased the talents of both Wembanyama and Antetokounmpo, leaving fans in awe of their skills and the intensity of the matchup.

Wembanyama responded with a massive block on Damian Lillard's layup and then drained a three-pointer to tie the game with 1:09 left on the clock.

Antetokounmpo's dunk put the Bucks back in the lead, but Wembanyama once again denied him with a block, keeping the Spurs within striking distance.

Despite being heavily guarded, Wembanyama managed to find an open teammate, Tre Jones, for a potential game-tying three-pointer with just over a second remaining. Unfortunately, Jones's shot didn't go in.

"It's not the outcome we wanted, but it was the best opportunity we had," Wembanyama commented, emphasizing the Spurs' positive overall performance. "The fact that we can compete with a championship-caliber team like this is promising."

In San Francisco, Jokic secured the Nuggets' comeback victory with a shot from just inside halfcourt, finishing the game with 34 points on an impressive 13-of-16 shooting.

The two-time NBA MVP also contributed nine rebounds and 10 assists.

Jokic's step-back basket tied the game at 127-127 with 26 seconds left on the clock.

Teammate Jamal Murray then made a crucial steal off an ill-advised pass from Stephen Curry, setting the stage for Jokic. He received an inbound pass, sprinted up the court, and banked in the game-winning shot over Kevon Looney.

"Great players make great plays," praised Nuggets coach Michael Malone.

"Nikola catching the ball in that situation and making something happen, it's truly incredible... I'm extremely proud of our team for sticking with it."

Aaron Gordon contributed 30 points, while Jamal Murray added 25 for the Nuggets.

Curry led the Golden State Warriors with 30 points and six assists. Klay Thompson also had a strong performance with 24 points. The Warriors dominated the third quarter, outscoring the Nuggets 44-24, and held an 18-point lead with 6:51 remaining in the game.