The San Antonio Spurs face the Denver Nuggets tonight in the final group stage game of the Emirates NBA Cup, with both teams aiming to secure advantageous playoff positioning. This Western Conference battle pits one of the league’s hottest offensive forces in Nikola Jokic against a shorthanded but resilient Spurs squad seeking an upset on the road at Ball Arena.
🔥 Quick Facts
Spurs record: 12-5, sitting fifth in Western Conference standings, winners of four of last five games
Nuggets record: 13-4, currently third in Western Conference, led by Jokic averaging 29.6 points, 12.8 rebounds, 11.1 assists
Game time: 8:30 PM CT Friday, November 28, 2025 at Ball Arena in Denver
Key storyline: Spurs compete without Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle while facing defending champion-caliber Nuggets missing Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, and Julian Strawther
Jokic Dominates MVP Race Despite Missing Supporting Cast
Nikola Jokic is having what many consider the best offensive season of his already legendary career. The three-time MVP is currently a heavy favorite to win his fourth MVP award, boasting historic efficiency numbers that include leading the league in rebounds and assists while maintaining a 36.0 PER (Player Efficiency Rating).
Even with key contributors sidelined by injuries, Jokic continues showcasing complete basketball mastery on both ends of the floor. His dominance has become almost mythical—requiring defenders to choose between respecting his deadly outside shot, his unstoppable post moves, or his elite passing that creates open looks for teammates. Denver’s supporting cast, including Jonas Valančiūnas, absorbs some defensive attention, but stopping Jokic remains virtually impossible for opposing teams.
Spurs Aim for Upset With De’Aaron Fox Leading Offense
San Antonio enters this matchup with heavy losses: Victor Wembanyama sits out with a calf strain, Stephon Castle faces hip flexor issues, and Jordan McLaughlin remains sidelined with a hamstring injury. Despite these significant absences, the Spurs have demonstrated remarkable resilience since Wembanyama’s injury.
De’Aaron Fox has emerged as the offensive catalyst, averaging 25.0 points per game and proving nearly impossible for defenders to contain with his explosive first step and court vision. Devin Vassell provides secondary scoring at 14.4 PPG, while Harrison Barnes has shot the lights out this season, delivering in crucial moments from deep range. The Spurs guard depth including Dylan Harper, recently returning from injury, adds another scoring threat.
Matchup Factor Breakdown
Category
Spurs
Nuggets
Record
12-5 (5th West)
13-4 (3rd West)
Offensive Rating
118.2 PPG
123.3 PPG
Key Player
De’Aaron Fox (25.0 PPG)
Nikola Jokic (29.6 PPG)
Status
Missing Wembanyama, Castle
Missing Gordon, Braun
Can Denver’s Depth Hold Without Gordon and Braun?
The Nuggets constructed an improved roster by moving off the Michael Porter Jr. contract and adding depth with Cam Johnson (acquired in the MPJ trade), Tim Hardaway Jr., and returning champion Bruce Brown. However, recent injuries to Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon have forced Denver to lean even more heavily on Jokic and Jamal Murray‘s shoulders.
Murray has entered this season refreshed and energized after a slow start to recent campaigns, serving as the perfect complement to Jokic’s all-around brilliance. His shooting ability and ability to generate big runs independently make the Nuggets dangerous even without their wing depth. The Spurs must contain Murray to have any realistic chance, while also accepting that Jokic will likely put up historic numbers.
Will Tonight Determine NBA Cup Group Stage Champion?
Both teams wrap up group stage play with significant implications for seeding in the tournament’s later rounds. The Spurs have won four of their last five despite being without their franchise centerpiece, suggesting a team learning to win without relying entirely on Wembanyama’s defensive prowess and offensive versatility. Meanwhile, Denver enters as championship-contending favorites to win the group stage.
San Antonio faces an uphill battle competing in Denver’s high altitude while missing multiple rotation players. Yet the Spurs have shown they can compete with elite competition. Fox’s explosiveness, the improved role players stepping up, and collective team defense could make this more competitive than the talent gap suggests. How well San Antonio executes without their primary defensive anchor against the league’s most efficient offensive player will determine tonight’s outcome in this crucial NBA Cup clash.
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.