Nikola Jokic scored 31 points, and the Denver Nuggets beat San Antonio 117-106 on Friday night in a game played in the Texas capital as the Spurs gathered a record crowd in their quest to widen their regional fan base.

After having his initial shot blocked by San Antonio rookie prodigy Victor Wembanyama, Jokic went 13 for 19 from the field. The reigning NBA Finals MVP added seven rebounds, five assists, and two blocks.

“I don’t think anybody can do what Nikola does,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “He’s amazing. Fantastic.”

Jamal Murray added 15 points and 10 assists for Denver, which won its fifth straight game and for the 11th time in 12 games to maintain atop the Western Conference rankings.

Jeremy Sochan had 19 points, and Devin Vassell and Wembanyama both added 17 points for San Antonio, which lost its third straight.

The Spurs have played in Austin the last two seasons to widen their reach financially and build their fan base. The relocation was a popular one, as the Spurs set the attendance record for a sporting event at the Moody Center with 16,223 on Friday.

Still, Nuggets coach Michael Malone was concerned his team would not have the correct mindset considering Austin is not a conventional NBA city.

“It has a preseason feel to it,” Malone said prior to the game. “I hope for our players that once the jump ball goes up, we understand this is not the preseason; this is a real game. We have to lock in and give it the attention and respect that it deserves.”

The game had its issues logistically. Teams were unfamiliar with where to go in the stadium. Monitors and video screens for statistics were not updating or were completely out, and Spurs radio announcer Bill Schoening had to provide his broadcast over his cellphone.