In a hard-fought battle, the Denver Nuggets managed to secure a 108-105 victory over the Golden State Warriors, thanks to a remarkable performance by Nikola Jokic, who contributed 35 points and 13 rebounds in the game.
Jokic, the heart and soul of the defending NBA champions, displayed his prowess on the court, leading the Nuggets to a dominant victory over the previous champions, the Warriors.
In the absence of the injured Jamal Murray, Reggie Jackson stepped up, delivering 20 crucial points.
Denver now boasts an impressive 8-1 record overall, maintaining a flawless 6-0 home record.
Jokic’s relentless dedication was evident as he played throughout the third quarter to support a struggling bench unit and tirelessly battled against Warriors’ big man Kevon Looney.
The game went down to the wire, with Jokic having a chance to seal the victory but missing two critical free throws in the final moments.
Stephen Curry, who had been on a remarkable run and was named the Western Conference player of the week, faced tenacious defense, particularly from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and finished with 23 points.
Denver’s balanced scoring saw Michael Porter Jr. contribute 17 points, and Aaron Gordon added 14 points and 11 rebounds.
The Warriors remained competitive, primarily due to their impressive bench performance, outscoring Denver’s reserves 42-12.
Both teams faced roster challenges, with the Nuggets missing the injured Murray for the second consecutive game due to a strained right hamstring.
The Warriors were without Draymond Green, who was absent for personal reasons, and Gary Payton II, who was sidelined due to illness.
