Victor Wembanyama’s yellow, size 20.5 Nikes get laced up the same way as Aaron Gordon’s black-and-white 361 sneakers.

“He’s going to be an all-time player,” Gordon said after the Nuggets’ 136-134 overtime win over Wembanyama’s Spurs on Saturday at Ball Arena. “Hell of a ball player, but, at the end of the day, he laces up his shoes just like we all do.”

There wouldn’t have been overtime or an eighth consecutive Nuggets win without Gordon’s defensive effort. With Denver down two with a little more than 1 minute remaining, Denver’s power forward smothered San Antonio’s 7-foot-4 star and forced the Most Valuable Player candidate into a tough fadeaway that drew iron.

“Crowd him, be physical, make it difficult for him. That’s really it,” Gordon said.

With Denver still down two in the final 15 seconds, Gordon picked up Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox. The two-time All-Star tried to drive to his dominant left hand, but Gordon and Jamal Murray walled it off. Fox had to settle for a step-back 3-pointer that drew nothing but air after briefly losing the ball, giving the Nuggets a chance to tie with eight seconds left.

“He’s definitely one of the most versatile defenders in the league,” Nikola Jokic said. “He can guard multiple positions, and he was really good tonight.”

With 8 seconds left, Nuggets coach David Adelman drew up a play that had Jokic curl around a Gordon screen to the left side of the court, while Cam Johnson and Tim Hardaway Jr. relocated to the right side. Gordon’s screen on Wembanyama was so solid that Julian Champagnie had to leave Gordon to prevent Jokic from walking into a layup. Jokic’s 13^th assist went to a wide-open Gordon, who tied the game with a two-handed dunk.

“We’re comfortable with that set,” Adelman said. “It gets people on the move – all impactful people that can make shots. It gets Joker in space. I think you have to take what’s given.”

There was still more work to be done by Gordon to get the game to overtime. San Antonio inbounded the ball in the frontcourt with six seconds left. Gordon forced Wembanyama to his left and elevated to contest an off-balance floater that rimmed out.

“I was just happy with the contest and the look he was getting. It was like he was almost behind the backboard shooting it. He’s a tall guy, so you got to just make it as difficult as you can for him,” Gordon said.

“He’s like ridiculously tall. It doesn’t even make sense.”

The final bucket of Gordon’s 15-point performance was an alley-oop dunk off a Christian Braun assist that put the Nuggets ahead for good with 3:34 left in overtime. Jokic put the finishing touches on the win by scoring Denver’s final five points to finish with 40.

Wembanyama scored 16 of his 34 points from the free-throw line and went 8 for 17 from the field.

“He’s a unique defensive player, because he has good feet, and he’s got the size. Once Wemby jumps in the air, it doesn’t matter anymore. You’re just trying to get into his airspace, make it uncomfortable,” Adelman said.

“Aaron was great. We’re going to need more of that to win big games at the end of the season.”

The Nuggets coach admitted Gordon’s 41 minutes of playing time went well beyond the minutes he hoped to play his starter who has dealt with calf tightness. After a long day at the office, it was time for a laceless pair of compression boots that aid recovery.

“I’m going to be in these NormaTecs for the next 36 hours,” Gordon said.

NUGGETS 136, SPURS 134 OT

What happened: San Antonio led by seven after the first quarter and 72-65 at halftime. Denver closed within four to start the fourth and forced overtime on Aaron Gordon’s dunk with 6 seconds left. The Nuggets led for the final 3 minutes of overtime.

What went right: The Nuggets committed just six turnovers and finished with a 19-8 advantage in points off turnovers.

What went wrong: Bruce Brown left the game in the third quarter and was ineligible to return after missing the ensuing jump ball. The reserve guard was grabbing his lower left leg before gingerly walking off the court. He was back on Denver’s bench for the end of the game.

Highlight of the day: Christian Braun threw a no-look lob to Aaron Gordon, who had just enough lift to throw down a dunk to give the Nuggets a one-point lead early in overtime.

Up next: The Nuggets host the Trail Blazers on Monday.