Nuggets Outlast Warriors Despite Curry Absence

Denver's offensive efficiency and home-court advantage prove too much for Golden State to overcome.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 12:21pm

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The Denver Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokic's fourth consecutive triple-double, defeated the shorthanded Golden State Warriors 120-108 at Ball Arena on Sunday night. Despite the Warriors' recent competitiveness without Stephen Curry, the Nuggets' superior offensive firepower and home-court advantage proved too much for the visitors to overcome.

Why it matters

This game was crucial for the Nuggets' playoff positioning, as they are fighting to maintain their spot in the tight Western Conference race. The Warriors, on the other hand, have been scraping by without their star player Curry, and this matchup against a top-tier opponent highlighted the challenges they face in his absence.

The details

The Nuggets' offensive efficiency was the key difference, as they boasted a 120.6 rating compared to the Warriors' 113.9. Denver's stars, Jokic and Jamal Murray, led the way, with Jokic recording his fourth consecutive triple-double and Murray adding 31 points, including four crucial 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to seal the victory. The Warriors' efforts were led by Kristaps Porzingis, who had 28 points and 8 assists, and Brandin Podziemski, who contributed 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists.

  • The Nuggets overcame a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit against the Utah Jazz in their previous game.
  • Jamal Murray scored 53 points two games ago against the Timberwolves.

The players

Nikola Jokic

The Nuggets' star center, who is playing at an MVP level, averaging 27.9 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 10.8 assists per game.

Jamal Murray

The Nuggets' starting point guard, who has been on a scoring tear, including a 53-point performance two games ago.

Kristaps Porzingis

The Warriors' starting power forward, who has stepped up in Stephen Curry's absence, averaging 17.1 points and 2.7 assists per game.

Brandin Podziemski

The Warriors' second-year guard, who has developed into a reliable secondary ball-handler and scorer.

Gui Santos

The Warriors' rookie forward, who had a strong 27-point performance in the team's recent win against the Wizards.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this was going to be a tough game, but our guys fought hard and never gave up. We just couldn't match Denver's firepower, especially with Nikola and Jamal playing at such a high level.”

— Steve Kerr, Warriors Head Coach

“This was a big win for us as we continue to battle for playoff positioning. Our guys executed the game plan and made the plays we needed to down the stretch. Nikola was dominant, and Jamal's shooting in the fourth quarter was the difference.”

— Michael Malone, Nuggets Head Coach

What’s next

The Nuggets will look to build on this win as they continue their push for a top-four seed in the Western Conference. The Warriors, meanwhile, will need to regroup and find ways to stay competitive without Curry as they fight to secure a playoff spot.

The takeaway

This game highlighted the stark contrast between the Nuggets' offensive efficiency and the Warriors' struggles to score without their star player Curry. Denver's depth and home-court advantage proved too much for the shorthanded Warriors to overcome, underscoring the challenges Golden State faces in keeping pace in the competitive Western Conference playoff race.