Ten points from Michael Porter Jr. (19 points, 10 rebounds) allow the Nuggets to enter this Christmas match in the best possible way (24-14). With Denver's defense ignoring Kevon Looney and Jonathan Kuminga, the Warriors' offense is slow. It takes the entries of Dario Saric (14 points), Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Andrew Wiggins (22 points) to see Golden State finish the quarter with a 12-5 (29-26).
The Dubs continue their momentum and find their address. Podziemski, Thompson, Saric, and Paul hit the mark from afar to launch a 15-3 which gave them the advantage (43-37). The Murray (28 points) – Jokic (26 points, 18/18 free throws, 14 rebounds, 8 assists) duo then responded with a 16-3 but it was still the Warriors who took the lead at halftime despite a discreet Stephen Curry (54-53).
Still very good Podziemski
Despite Jamal Murray's fourth foul in the middle of the third quarter, the Nuggets regained control of the match with their star leader on the bench. Reggie Jackson twice finds Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (16 points) to put Denver at +7 (85-77). With their backs against the wall, the Warriors however got back together thanks to two 3-pointers from Brandin Podziemski (13 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 interceptions) and Chris Paul (92-89).
Less than four minutes from the end of the match, a layup by Stephen Curry brings Golden State to -1 (106-105). Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic, however, dominate money time. Murray hits the mark from afar and Jokic continues the free throws while the Warriors insist without success from a distance. Denver takes a seven-point lead and ends Golden State's five-game winning streak.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– 32 free throws for Denver, 18 for Jokic. Known for their lack of rigor in defense and their wandering hands, the Warriors threw themselves into the den of the wolf against the Nuggets. The Warriors committed 23 fouls and sent their opponents to free throws 32 times. Less skillful than usual, Jokic still dominated the proceedings by going for 10 free throws in the third quarter. He finished at 18/18! Almost as many as all the Warriors combined (20).
– Golden State's bench shines. While the “Splash Brothers” finished the game at 10/33 on shots, Chris Paul (13 points) and the Golden State substitutes continued to perform well. Dario Saric and Andrew Wiggins, back after missing the last two games, allowed the Warriors to keep the game level throughout the game. They won their duel with the Denver bench 47 to 15.
– Santa Claus continues to be trash to Stephen Curry. Before today's game, Stephen Curry had played nine Christmas games and had only surpassed the 20-point mark once. It was in 2021 in Phoenix (31 points on 27 shots). Against the Nuggets, the Warriors star, never in rhythm, failed to overcome this Christmas curse, finishing with 18 points on 7/21 shots and 3/13 three-pointers.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
