Game: San Antonio Spurs at Denver Nuggets
Date & Time: Tuesday, November 28, 9:40 PM EST
Location: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Point Spread: Nuggets -8.5
Total (Over/Under): 237.5
Shorthanded Nuggets Host Wembanyama and the Young Spurs
The defending champion Denver Nuggets will look to protect their home court as they host the rebuilding San Antonio Spurs in a Western Conference showdown. While the Nuggets are heavy favorites, they will be doing so without two key pieces of their rotation.
The Spurs, led by rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama, are navigating the challenges of a youth movement. They play at a fast pace but struggle on the defensive end, which could be a recipe for disaster in the high altitude of Denver. However, with the Nuggets dealing with significant injuries, the young Spurs might have an opportunity to keep this game more competitive than the spread suggests.
Injury Report Concerns for Denver
The biggest storyline heading into this matchup is the Nuggets’ injury list. According to the team’s official injury report, two crucial rotation players will be sidelined:
- Aaron Gordon (OUT): Right Hamstring Strain
- Christian Braun (OUT): Left Ankle Sprain
The absence of Aaron Gordon is a major blow to Denver’s starting lineup. Gordon is the team’s most versatile defender, often tasked with guarding the opponent’s best player, and serves as a vital athletic finisher and secondary playmaker around Nikola Jokic. Christian Braun’s absence depletes the bench of its top energy player, a tenacious defender who excels in transition. With both players out, the Nuggets’ depth and defensive integrity will be tested.
The Spurs’ injury report has been less clear, with some reports from earlier in November noting absences for key players. However, heading into this contest, the primary focus remains on the confirmed absences for the home team.
Key Matchup: Nikola Jokic vs. Victor Wembanyama
All eyes will be on the center matchup between the two-time MVP and the most hyped prospect in a generation. Nikola Jokic remains the engine of the Nuggets’ elite offense, a masterful passer and scorer who can exploit any defensive scheme. He will face a unique challenge in Victor Wembanyama, whose unprecedented 8-foot wingspan and agility make him a defensive game-changer.
While Wembanyama has the tools to bother Jokic, the rookie will also have his hands full with the veteran’s craftiness, strength, and basketball IQ. This battle in the paint between the present and future of the NBA will be the main event.
Prediction
The Nuggets are rightfully favored at home, but the absences of Gordon and Braun cannot be overstated. Those two account for a significant portion of Denver’s athleticism and defensive identity. San Antonio’s defense is among the league’s worst, and Denver’s offense, led by Jokic and Jamal Murray, should still score efficiently. However, the Nuggets’ own defense will take a step back, opening the door for the Spurs to put up points.
The 237.5-point total is high, but it reflects the likely game script: a fast-paced game where the Spurs’ poor defense allows the Nuggets to score, and the Nuggets’ shorthanded defense allows the Spurs to answer. This points strongly toward a high-scoring affair.
While a Nuggets victory seems likely, asking them to win by nine or more points without two key rotation players is a tall order. The Spurs, for all their faults, should be able to score enough against a compromised Denver defense to stay within the number.
The Pick: Spurs +8.5
Total Pick: Over 237.5
Sources:
San Antonio Spurs Injury Status – ESPN
San Antonio Spurs Injury Report and Status 2025-26 – CBS Sports
Spurs injury report : r/NBASpurs
Spurs vs. Pelicans: Injury Report, Game Preview Nov. 8, 2025
San Antonio Spurs Injury Status – ESPN (UK)
Warriors vs. Spurs injury report: Jonathan Kuminga out – Yahoo Sports
Spurs Injury Report 11/22/14 | San Antonio Spurs
2024-25 San Antonio Spurs Injury Report – NBA | FOX Sports
Spurs injury report vs. Dallas tonight.
Spurs Injury Report: Luke Kornet Out with Left Ankle Sprain