Jokic Outshines Wembanyama As Denver End Spurs' Run

Nikola Jokic outshone chap Most Valuable Player contender Victor Wembanyama pinch a game-high 40 points arsenic nan Denver Nuggets ended nan San Antonio Spurs' 11-match winning streak.

Serb Jokic, a three-time victor of nan NBA's MVP award, starred arsenic Denver recorded their eighth consecutive triumph pinch a 136-134 triumph successful overtime.

Wembanyama led San Antonio pinch 34 points but nan Frenchman's squad squandered a 107-96 advantage successful nan 4th quarter.

Both players are among nan starring names to declare this season's coveted individual award, fixed to nan champion performer during nan regular season, and were afloat of praise for nan different aft nan match.

Jokic said of Wembanyama to ESPN: "I deliberation nan first clip I played against him, I told you guys he's going to alteration nan league. He's going to alteration basketball.

"I still deliberation that. And I deliberation he has an opportunity, a chance to beryllium nan astir unsocial hoops subordinate to ever play nan game."

Reflecting connected defeat, Wembanyama said: "I deliberation it was an astonishing game. One of nan astir nosy games. I wish we could person closed it out.

"It was a existent trial against a squad that's playing for thing correct now. They've sewage nan champion violative subordinate successful nan world."

Both teams person already clinched a spot successful nan post-season play-offs, which statesman connected 18 April.

But while San Antonio are assured of a top-two seeding successful nan Western Conference - they way reigning champions Oklahoma City Thunder - Denver's last placing wrong nan apical six is still to beryllium decided.

The Thunder tin move person to a 3rd consecutive Western Conference title against nan Utah Jazz connected Sunday, arsenic Shai Gilgeous-Alexander seeks back-to-back MVP crowns.

Los Angeles Lakers prima Luka Doncic could beryllium retired of MVP contention aft nan NBA's starring scorer was ruled retired for nan remainder of nan regular season pinch a hamstring wounded connected Friday.