The Golden State Warriors looked lost without Stephen Curry on Thursday night, falling 116-97 to the defending champion Denver Nuggets.
Nikola Jokic once again proved why he’s one of the league’s most unstoppable forces, finishing just shy of a triple-double with 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists. From the opening tip, Denver dictated the tempo, executing with precision and physicality on both ends of the floor.
Without Curry to anchor the offense, Golden State’s shooting woes were glaring. The Warriors shot just 29% from beyond the arc, struggling to find any rhythm or spacing. Ironically, Draymond Green—known far more for his defense than his shooting—led the team from deep, hitting 5 of 10 attempts.
Denver maintained control throughout, building an early double-digit lead and never letting the Warriors claw back. Golden State struggled to find a way to win without its superstar.
It’s been a strong start for the Denver Nuggets, who continue to look every bit the contender they were expected to be.