Julien Champagnie added a season-best 25 points, helping the Spurs overcome an 18-point third quarter deficit and handing the Nuggets, winners of six straight on the road, their third consecutive loss at home.
The Spurs made 30 of 32 free throws and scored 30 points off 17 Nuggets turnovers.
Jamal Murray led Denver with 37 points, Cam Johnson added 28 and Nikola Jokic had 21 points. Murray became the fifth player in franchise history to top 10,000 points for his career.
Jokic made another surprising, behind-the-back assist, this one to Spencer Jones for a second quarter basket, as Denver took a 74–59 lead at halftime.
Both teams were out with Spurs stars Victor Wembanyama (calf) and Stephen Cassel (hip) out and the Nuggets missing starters Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Christian Braun (ankle).
Without Wembanyama, the Spurs relied on their outside shooting and eight players hit at least one 3-pointer.
The Nuggets used a 23–6 blitz to end the first half with a 15-point lead, and a quick 3-pointer by Murray to open the third quarter increased Denver’s cushion to 18 points, but San Antonio took over the quarter and only trailed 104–103 heading into the fourth.
Murray hit three quick buckets in the opening minutes and became the fifth player to top 10,000 career points in franchise history, joining Alex English, Jokic, Dan Issel and Carmelo Anthony.
Nuggets: Saturday night at Phoenix. Both teams are traveling for the second consecutive night as the Suns lost in Oklahoma City on Friday night.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
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