How Will Spurs Injury News Impact Wemby vs. Nuggets?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jonah Kubicek | Last updated Jan 3, 2025 1:21 PM ET

The San Antonio Spurs will look for a statement road win on Friday night as they travel to take on the Denver Nuggets. The Spurs are yet to meet the Nikola Jokic-led team this season, but both teams have key injuries that will play a factor.

The Spurs will miss forward Jeremy Sochan, who is dealing with a back injury, and a hurt calf will keep Aaron Gordon out for the Nuggets. Sochan has already missed 13 games this season with a thumb injury, and the Spurs are 8-5 in those games, but the Nuggets present a unique challenge.

Jokic is not your average center. He can handle the ball even better than Wembanyama and is arguably the very best passer in the league regardless of position. Wembanyama should be able to slow him down, but his court vision opens up the floor for the rest of his teammates, so Sochan's defense would be incredibly valuable in the game.

In lieu of Sochan, rookie Stephon Castle is expected to start. He has stepped up against some of the best players in the NBA, but Jokic's unique skillset elevates all of his teammates, and this game could be the rookie's biggest test of his young career.

Sochan has averaged 9.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 5 games against the Nuggets in his career, but he did not play in the statement 121-120 win over Denver last March, so the Spurs can win without him. On the road against a surging Nuggets team, the only question is, will they?

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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