In a puzzling twist, the Denver Nuggets found themselves on the wrong side of a 113-106 defeat to the San Antonio Spurs, lacking their star Nikola Jokic and other key players. The absence was attributed to the wear and tear from Jokic's previous game, where he logged a staggering 53 minutes. The Nuggets, trailing 9-0 at one point, rallied with Russell Westbrook leading the charge, scoring a season-high 30 points. Despite a valiant effort, the undermanned Nuggets couldn't fend off the Spurs, who saw seven players reach double digits.

Jalen Pickett shined with a triple-double in his first NBA start, indicating potential for the future. However, head coach Michael Malone had made a tough decision not to play Jokic, prioritizing his health over a fleeting victory. This back-to-back loss now sees the Nuggets slotting precariously into fourth place in the standings, trailing behind the Los Angeles Lakers. With injuries and illnesses plaguing the team, they must rally and find a way to contend in the upcoming games.