Gary Payton II addressed the Golden State Warriors’ lapses in Sunday night’s 116-93 loss to the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. “We just lose focus and good teams are going to capitalize on us losing focus and, you know, going to run,” he said regarding the team’s third-quarter collapse.
The Warriors held a 53-46 lead at halftime after a 19-2 run in the second quarter, but Denver outscored them 40-21 in the third. “We got to stay locked in for 48 and third quarters just seem to be, you know, the quarters that, you know, we lack focus,” Payton explained.
Payton addressed the physicality that emerged in the second quarter, noting, “Just unnecessary grabbing, pulling. It’s pretty much it.” He was also involved in a Flagrant 1 foul on Peyton Watson late in the period.
Regarding sustaining intensity while short-handed, Payton emphasized discipline. “We can do it. Just got to stay disciplined… continue to do what we did in the first half and, you know, that’ll help us carry on through the rest of the game,” he said. Golden State has continued to struggle without Stephen Curry, who missed his 25th straight game with a knee injury.
On the integration of Kristaps Porzingis, Payton expressed confidence in the lineup’s adjustment. “We’re good… kind of replaced the dynamic that Jimmy [Butler] had, you know, with the post up and stuff and bringing two and, you know, playing off him,” he said, highlighting the team’s adaptability.
Payton also reflected on lessons from the game. “With tough teams, you know, they’re going to capitalize… so we just got to learn. Got to learn quickly,” he said, pointing to moments where Golden State allowed Denver to seize momentum.
Despite the loss, the Warriors remain focused on improving consistency. “Just stay disciplined, stay to what we was doing in the first half… and that’ll help us carry on the rest of the game,” Payton reiterated, underlining the need to maintain composure for upcoming matchups, including Tuesday’s game against San Antonio.
Denver’s Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 25 points and 15 rebounds, nearly achieving a fifth consecutive triple-double. Jamal Murray added 20 points, while Golden State’s Brandin Podziemski and Porzingis scored 23 each in the absence of Curry.
