Nikola Jokic delivered a dominant performance, scoring 38 points and grabbing 10 rebounds to lead the Denver Nuggets to a 119-115 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night. Jokic also added five steals.
The reigning MVP remained tied with Magic Johnson for the third-most triple-doubles in NBA history, with 138. Michael Porter Jr. chipped in 22 points for Denver, while Aaron Gordon contributed 15 points and nine rebounds.
The loss marked the Warriors’ fifth consecutive defeat after a strong 12-3 start. Despite a 24-point, 11-assist performance from Steph Curry, the Warriors failed to hold onto a late-game lead and will travel to Houston for the NBA Cup quarterfinals next week.
Golden State was without Draymond Green, who missed the game due to left calf tightness. The absence of their defensive anchor was felt as the Warriors struggled in the second half.
Jamal Murray sealed the win for Denver with a crucial steal with 20 seconds left, preventing the Warriors from having an opportunity to tie or take the lead. Jokic then made two free throws to ice the game.
The Nuggets extended their regular-season win streak against the Warriors to eight games, with Denver winning 11 of the last 12 matchups between the two teams.
Golden State was also buoyed by Jonathan Kuminga, who had 19 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Denver’s balanced attack. The Warriors shot just 31.6% from beyond the arc, a critical factor in their defeat.
In contrast, Denver shot 45.8% from 3-point range, and they dominated inside with Jokic leading the charge. His scoring and playmaking were pivotal as the Nuggets extended their NBA Cup hopes.
With the victory, the Nuggets (11-8) stay in the hunt for a spot in the NBA Cup quarterfinals. Denver will need to continue their solid play as they prepare for their next matchup.
