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, 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. This Wemby and Jokić sequence 😱😂 pic.twitter.com/aTL3xsEzO7 WEMBY 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 a 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. JOKIC FULLCOURT
Football PASS ON A DIME 🎯Spurs-Nuggets | Live on the NBA App📲 https://t.co/Njf3dISUNy pic.twitter.com/9XXL9T52G1 MAKE THAT 40 FOR THE JOKER.Nuggets by two with a minute left on the NBA App. https://t.co/kDR13qmYOK pic.twitter.com/uHfJKK02As Jokic just cares about the W 😅 pic.twitter.com/mzQXuz76oS "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: WEMBY VS JOKIC RIGHT NOW!!THIS IS ELECTRIC!!! pic.twitter.com/33eqOaCDd4 Some of these Wemby games are just unbelievable - I'm starting to think I'm dead and this isn't real. Wemby is out of his mind right now. #PorVida Jokic vs. Wemby is going to be fun. Wemby-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: Victor 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 Victor Wembanyama in the first half:14 PTS7 REB5 AST1 STL4 BLKSince 1996-97 (as far as the data goes back), there have been two individual halves of at least 14-7-5-1-4Both 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: Jokić 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 40. 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.