Scott Strazzante/S.F. Chronicle
Scott Strazzante/S.F. Chronicle
Scott Strazzante/S.F. Chronicle
Scott Strazzante/S.F. Chronicle
Scott Strazzante/S.F. Chronicle
Scott Strazzante/S.F. Chronicle
Scott Strazzante/S.F. Chronicle
Scott Strazzante/S.F. Chronicle
The Golden State Warriors didn’t play well Thursday night against the Denver Nuggets.
Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray didn’t play at all.
Facing the Nuggets without their superstar big man and the standout guard who shines beside the reigning NBA MVP, the Warriors fell flat during a 114-105 loss — snapping their seven-game winning streak. Jimmy Butler’s personal 12-game winning streak ended despite 23 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
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Golden State’s losing streak to Denver extended to nine.
Stephen Curry shot 6 of 21, finishing with 20 points and seven assists.
Golden State (39-29) committed 20 turnovers (for 24 points), shot 8 of 33 from 3-point range and 15 of 27 from the free-throw line. It remains in sixth in the Western Conference, percentage points ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves (40-30).
The Nuggets (44-25) didn’t need Jokic and Murray to lead 62-50 at halftime. They quickened the pace and attacked the paint beating the Warriors with speed and force. Michael Porter Jr. powered a 29-22 first-quarter lead with 11 points.
Golden State committed six first-quarter turnovers. Coach Steve Kerr was spirited during a timeout, speaking demonstratively during a coaches huddle.
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Butler keyed a 6-0 run to start the second quarter, driving and passing to Gary Payton II, who cut for a layup. Payton returned the favor on the ensuing possession with a steal and an alley-oop dunk to Butler, who drove baseline after another stop, faked and finished to force a timeout.
But Denver responded with a 17-3 run, sparked by an uptempo attack. Russell Westbrook — on his way to a triple-double — controlled rhythm with 11 first-half assists. Aaron Gordon scored 20 of his season-high 38 and Porter scored 15. Curry scored 13 on 14 shots. The Warriors missed 15 of 19 from 3-point range and 8 of 12 from the free-throw line.
Curry committed four of his seven turnovers in the third quarter. Gordon provided 12 third-quarter points. Jonathan Kuminga had a six-point flurry that Butler followed with a layup. With a chance to trim the deficit to six in the final minute of the third quarter, Buddy Hield missed an open top-of-the-key triple that Denver’s Vlatko Cancar followed with a 3-pointer.
Trailing 89-77 with 12 minutes to play, the Warriors turned to Butler to start their comeback. He followed a 3-pointer with two free throws that Porter answered with a contested 3-pointer. Draymond Green responded with a driving layup and an uncontested dunk in transition.
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Denver called timeout and Kuminga forced two turnovers when play resumed, turning over Westbrook by guarding him fullcourt. He made two free throws and Curry did too for a 97-94 deficit with 6:48 to play.
But Denver answered with six straight points: a jumper and layup from Gordon, who followed a putback from Cancar with a putback. Curry made two free throws that Westbrook (12 points, 16 assists, 11 rebounds) followed with a contested triple.
The Nuggets protected their 10-point lead against a closing lineup of Curry, Payton, Butler, Kuminga and Green. They also won the backboards 52-38 and scored 25 fastbreak points and 18 second-chance points.
Golden State hosts the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday in the penultimate game of its seven-game homestand.
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Reach Sam Gordon: [email protected]
