San Antonio Spurs vs Denver Nuggets Nov 28, 2025 detailed play and key moments

Game overview

San Antonio Spurs defeated the Denver Nuggets 139–136 on November 28, 2025, in Denver in a high‑scoring matchup that impacted the Emirates NBA Cup standings. The Spurs advanced to the NBA Cup quarterfinals with this win, while both teams moved to 13–5 on the season in tightly contested conference races.

Final score and quarters

The game featured major scoring swings across all four quarters.

Final score: Spurs 139, Nuggets 136.
Quarter scores:
- 1st: Spurs 41 – Nuggets 33.
- 2nd: Spurs 18 – Nuggets 41.
- 3rd: Spurs 44 – Nuggets 30.
- 4th: Spurs 36 – Nuggets 32.

Spurs key performers

Devin Vassell delivered a season‑high scoring performance that powered San Antonio’s comeback and late‑game execution.

Devin Vassell scored 35 points, hitting 7 of 9 from three‑point range and setting a season high in scoring.
Julian Champagnie added 25 points and 10 rebounds, providing crucial offense and work on the glass.
San Antonio converted 30 of 32 free throws and scored 30 points off 17 Denver turnovers, maximizing efficiency at the line and on takeaways.

Nuggets key performers

Denver received big nights from its core players but could not hold an 18‑point second‑half lead.

Jamal Murray led Denver with 37 points and 7 assists and surpassed 10,000 career points, becoming the fifth player in franchise history to reach that milestone.
Cam Johnson contributed 28 points, adding perimeter scoring to support Murray.
Nikola Jokic finished with 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 10 assists, highlighted by a behind‑the‑back assist to Spencer Jones in the second quarter.

Game flow and turning points

The matchup featured dramatic momentum shifts, with Denver dominating the middle portion of the first half and San Antonio owning the third quarter.

Denver used a 23–6 run late in the second quarter to build a 74–59 halftime lead, then extended the margin to 18 points early in the third after a quick Jamal Murray three‑pointer.
San Antonio responded by controlling the third quarter 44–30 and trimming the deficit to 104–103 entering the fourth, setting up a tight closing period.
In the final minutes, the Spurs’ shot‑making, free‑throw accuracy, and pressure on Denver’s ballhandlers allowed them to edge ahead and secure the 139–136 victory.

Tournament and standings impact

This result carried consequences beyond a single regular‑season win, shaping the Emirates NBA Cup and conference standings.

The victory clinched San Antonio’s place in the NBA Cup quarterfinals and locked up a top spot in its group.
Both teams stood at 13–5 after the game, reflecting their strong starts and intensifying competition near the top of the Western Conference bracket.

“Devin Vassell scored a season‑high 35 points on 7‑of‑9 three‑point shooting as the Spurs advanced to the NBA Cup quarterfinals with a 139–136 win.”

“Jamal Murray became the fifth player in franchise history to reach 10,000 career points while leading Denver with 37 points in the loss.”

Author’s summary

A furious third‑quarter surge, elite free‑throw shooting and Devin Vassell’s season‑best 35 points turned Denver’s big lead into a 139–136 Spurs win that punched San Antonio’s ticket to the NBA Cup quarterfinals.

NBA — 2025-11-29