Nuggets and Spurs Clash in High-Stakes NBA Cup Showdown
Alright, so this Friday’s matchup between the Denver Nuggets and the San Antonio Spurs isn’t just another regular-season meeting. It’s turned into a win-or-go-home situation in the NBA Cup group stage, and the stakes could not be higher. Both teams enter the night with strong records — Denver sitting at 13-4 and San Antonio at 12-5 — and the winner will claim the West Group C crown and advance to the knockout rounds. It’s the kind of setup that usually promises fireworks, but injuries on both sides have added a dramatic twist.
Originally, all eyes were on what could’ve been another incredible showdown between Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama. But that duel won’t be happening this time. Wembanyama has been ruled out with a calf strain, taking away the Spurs’ biggest defensive weapon and arguably the most intriguing matchup of the night. And the absences don’t stop there. San Antonio is also missing Stephon Castle, who has quietly become one of their most impactful young guards, along with reserve guard Jordan McLaughlin. So the Spurs are walking into Denver without two starters and a key rotation piece.
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But it’s not like Denver is rolling in at full strength either. The Nuggets will once again be without Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon, both dealing with lingering injuries that have kept them sidelined for most of the last five games. Julian Strawther has also been ruled out due to back issues. That leaves Denver shorthanded on the wing and weakened defensively — and it’s shown. Over their last stretch, the Nuggets’ defensive rating has dropped into the bottom tier of the league, something that’s very out of character for this group.
Even so, Denver has still been playing at a high level offensively. With Jamal Murray averaging over 23 points a game and the team dishing out nearly 30 assists per night, the ball movement has remained one of their biggest strengths. Peyton Watson has stepped up in a major way too, putting up an impressive scoring run over the last ten games. On the Spurs’ side, Devin Vassell continues to be one of their most reliable scorers, and De’Aaron Fox has been giving them that extra spark from deep.
Both teams have been sharp recently — the Nuggets going 8-2 in their last ten, and the Spurs right behind them at 7-3 — so even with injuries, this matchup still carries the energy of a playoff-type game. And with an NBA Cup knockout spot on the line, every possession is going to feel heavier than usual.
Tip-off is set for Friday at 9:30 p.m. EST in Denver, and even though both squads are missing key pieces, the intensity, the pressure, and the stakes should make this a must-watch battle.
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