DENVER -- As seconds ticked away near the final minute of overtime with the Denver Nuggets leading the San Antonio Spurs by two points, three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic dribbled into the paint as Victor Wembanyama crouched into a defensive stance.
Jokic backed down Wembanyama, then faked a pass to Christian Braun, before quickly unleashing his patented "Sombor Shuffle" for an 11-foot step-back jumper over the outstretched hand of the 7-foot-5 star center.
Wembanyama looked away flabbergasted, punctuating a Saturday game bursting with back-and-forth, breathtaking plays from two of the top candidates for this season's NBA MVP award. Powered by Jokic's game-high 40 points, 13 assists, eight rebounds, three blocks and no turnovers, the Denver snapped San Antonio's 11-game winning streak and extended its to run to eight straight victories with a 136-134 triumph in OT.
"I would pay to watch these two teams play," Nuggets coach David Adelman said.
Certainly, the sellout crowd of 20,039 at Ball Arena agreed after watching Jokic string together his third-career outing with at least 40 points, 10 assists and three blocks. Only Dwyane Wade has recorded more such games (5) since blocks were first tracked (1973-74), according to ESPN Research. It was also Jokic's seventh career game with at least 30 points and 10 assists with no turnovers.