Spurs Rest Wembanyama in 128-118 Loss to Nuggets, Clinch No. 2 Western Conference Seed
The San Antonio Spurs lost 128-118 to the Denver Nuggets on Sunday in their regular-season finale, resting Victor Wembanyama after his recent return from a ribs injury. The Spurs had secured the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference prior to the game. Wembanyama scored 40 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in 26 minutes during Friday's 139-120 win over the Dallas Mavericks.
Newsweek# Spurs Conclude Regular Season with Loss to Nuggets The San Antonio Spurs played their regular-season finale against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night without Victor Wembanyama. The Spurs lost to the Denver Nuggets 128-118 on Sunday. The Spurs decided to rest Victor Wembanyama for the game against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday.
The Spurs secured the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference prior to the game against the Denver Nuggets. The Spurs will matchup against the winner of the play-in game between the Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
The Los Angeles Lakers won their season-finale game against the Utah Jazz.
Wembanyama's Recent Injury and Return Victor Wembanyama suffered a ribs injury during a game against the Philadelphia 76ers on April 6.
The Spurs won the game against the Philadelphia 76ers 115-102 on April 6. Victor Wembanyama was absent for one game following his ribs injury. Victor Wembanyama returned to play in the Spurs' game against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday.
The Spurs won the game against the Dallas Mavericks 139-120 on Friday. Victor Wembanyama scored 40 points in 26 minutes during the game against the Dallas Mavericks. Victor Wembanyama had 13 rebounds in 26 minutes during the game against the Dallas Mavericks.
Victor Wembanyama has reached the 65-game threshold for eligibility for postseason awards.
Reactions to Rest Decision Jason Timpf, host of 'Hoops Tonight,' wrote on social media: 'If San Antonio loses to Denver in Round 2, tonight has a chance to go down as one of the dumbest things I’ve ever seen an NBA team do.
'
“'Resting Wemby & losing to a team sitting all of their best players when a single home win massively increases your title odds? I’m in shock...' — Jason Timpf, host of 'Hoops Tonight,' on social media. Nick Wright, a Fox Sports analyst, said: 'I think this is a borderline catastrophe for the Spurs and I think them not playing Wemby was a catastrophic mistake.'”
Story Timeline
3 events- 2026-04-14
Spurs lose 128-118 to Nuggets without resting Wembanyama, securing No. 2 seed.
1 sourceNewsweek - 2026-04-12
Spurs win 139-120 over Mavericks; Wembanyama scores 40 points and 13 rebounds in 26 minutes.
1 sourceNewsweek - 2026-04-06
Wembanyama suffers ribs injury in 115-102 win over 76ers; misses one game.
1 sourceNewsweek
Potential Impact
- 01
Spurs enter playoffs as No. 2 seed, facing play-in winner, which may affect home-court advantage based on seeding.
- 02
Lakers' finale win positions them in standings, indirectly impacting Western Conference playoff structure.
- 03
Wembanyama's 65-game threshold ensures eligibility for awards, affecting individual recognition.
- 04
Wembanyama's rest preserves health for postseason, potentially reducing re-injury risk from ribs issue.
- 05
Criticism from analysts could influence public perception of Spurs' coaching decisions in playoffs.
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