The Denver Nuggets upset the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night, in a highly anticipated matchup between Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama. Wembanyama told reporters after the game about the dynamic of appreciating Jokic and embracing their clashes as competitors.

“He’s somebody I want to compete against for years and give my all against,” Wembanyama said of Jokic. “But there’s also someone I really admire. I hope there will be big wars in the future. They may go back-to-back this year.”

Wembanyama revealed that the two had an interchange throughout the game while Jokic was giving him some advice. With a lot of mutual respect between the two players, Jokic and Wembanyama should have some exciting bouts in the next seasons.

Jokic and the Nuggets are currently where Wembanyama and the Spurs hope to go. As Wembanyama noted, the Nuggets may easily win back-to-back championships this season, whereas the Spurs are still trying to find their way as a young rebuilding club.

If the Spurs can hasten their reconstruction and place some high-level players around Wembanyama in the near future, Jokic and the rookie phenom may face off in the postseason.

For the time being, the Spurs look to the Nuggets for inspiration and hope to emulate their dominance and consistency in the future.