Wemby’s Near Quadruple-Double, Jokić’s 42 Points in Spurs-Nuggets Amaze NBA Fans
Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTFeatured Columnist IVApril 3, 2024
Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images
The following stat lines from the Denver Nuggets’ 110-105 win over the San Antonio Spurs will read like something out of an NBA 2K game after you’ve lowered the computer’s difficulty to rookie, but they are actually real. We promise.
Victor Wembanyama, who’s now a shoo-in to be named Rookie of the Year, scored 23 points to go along with 15 rebounds, nine blocked shots (nine!), eight assists and a steal in the loss.
Bleacher Report @BleacherReportThis Wemby and Jokić sequence 😱😂 pic.twitter.com/aTL3xsEzO7
NBA @NBAWEMBY TIES THE GAME AND THEN DENIES THE SHOT ON THE OTHER END.
Spurs-Nuggets | Live on the NBA App
📲 https://t.co/Njf3dISUNy pic.twitter.com/KBtymhq6gQ
Nikola Jokić—who seems increasingly likely to win his third MVP award in the past four seasons—had 42 points, 16 rebounds, six assists, two blocks and a steal to lead his team to victory.
NBA @NBAJOKIC FULLCOURT FOOTBALL PASS ON A DIME 🎯
Spurs-Nuggets | Live on the NBA App
📲 https://t.co/Njf3dISUNy pic.twitter.com/9XXL9T52G1
NBA @NBAMAKE THAT 40 FOR THE JOKER.
Nuggets by two with a minute left on the NBA App. https://t.co/kDR13qmYOK pic.twitter.com/uHfJKK02As
SportsCenter @SportsCenterJokic just cares about the W 😅 pic.twitter.com/mzQXuz76oS
AltitudeTV @AltitudeTV”With 1st seed we have home court advantage and that’s the most important thing is playing in front of this crowd” -Nikola Jokic on @nuggets being back in 1st in the West. #MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/DkIbz4iVhF
Again, to reiterate—those are real stat lines, and they’re spectacular.
So yes, NBA fans and pundits alike were loving every second of the epic showdown:
V4E Mac @MacPenaWEMBY VS JOKIC RIGHT NOW!!
THIS IS ELECTRIC!!! pic.twitter.com/33eqOaCDd4
Bill Simmons @BillSimmonsSome of these Wemby games are just unbelievable – I’m starting to think I’m dead and this isn’t real.
James Espinosa 🎙️ @SirEdwardJamesWemby is out of his mind right now. #PorVida
Steve Jones Jr. @stevejones20Jokic vs. Wemby is going to be fun.
Bruce Arthur @bruce_arthurWemby-Jokic games are another edition of Pacific Rim basketball, except if one of the robots could beat you with boxing, kung-fu, lasers, missiles, flames, *and* chess
Some of the things that Wembanyama has done as a rookie are absolutely absurd. Just look at these stats:
Jordan Howenstine @AirlessJordanVictor Wembanyama just reached 1,400 points and 700 rebounds this season.
Only 2 rookies in NBA history to reach 1,400 points, 700 rebounds, 200 assists and 200 blocks:
Tim Duncan
Victor Wembanyama
Brett Usher @UsherNBAVictor Wembanyama in the first half:
14 PTS
7 REB
5 AST
1 STL
4 BLK
Since 1996-97 (as far as the data goes back), there have been two individual halves of at least 14-7-5-1-4
Both of them belong to Wemby
(h/t @Stathead) pic.twitter.com/TnWd9LzBhI
But Jokić defies belief on a regular basis as well and has continued to hit incredible milestones:
Bleacher Report @BleacherReportJokić moves to No. 3 on the Nuggets all-time scoring list 😤 pic.twitter.com/fv7LLftK4f
There is so much talent and skill in the modern NBA that it’s easy to become desensitized to it all. Joel Embiid is a 7’2″ center who can hit shots at all three levels, defend the rim, facilitate for his teammates and run the floor.
Luka Dončić hits shots that you wouldn’t even attempt in a game of horse. Giannis Antetokounmpo can run the length of the court in about five strides. LeBron James is still playing dominant basketball at the age of 39. Stephen Curry is still screaming around screens and splashing threes at 36. There are too many ascending young stars to name.
But sometimes, it’s important to step back and take it all in. Sometimes, you just have to stop and appreciate the truly fun and incredible performances. Wemby and Jokić provided such a moment on Tuesday.
Ok