That was a playoff game in March, plain and simple. The Golden State Warriors, down by 10 with six minutes left, clawed their way back to a 112-110 victory over the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Hub. Stephen Curry hit a ridiculous step-back three over Nikola Jokic with 18 seconds left, putting the Warriors up for good. It wasn't pretty, not by a long shot, but it was a win that shifts the whole vibe of this series to 2-1 Golden State.
Denver had this one in their pocket. They led 90-80 early in the fourth quarter, looking poised to take control of what’s become a surprisingly tight race in the West. Jokic had been surgical, racking up 28 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists – another triple-double that felt almost routine. But the Warriors, even on a night where their shots weren't always falling, just refused to quit. That's a hallmark of this group, even with the new faces.
Curry's Magic, Green's Defense
Look, when the game gets tight, you know who’s going to step up for Golden State. Curry finished with 35 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter alone. Those last few minutes were vintage Chef. He hit a couple of pull-up jumpers, a tough layup through traffic, and then that dagger from deep. Jamal Murray, who had 22 points for the Nuggets, was solid, but he couldn't match Curry's late-game firepower.
But let's be real, the unsung hero tonight was Draymond Green. His stat line – 8 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists – doesn't tell the full story. Green was a menace on defense, particularly in the final five minutes. He had two crucial steals and deflected at least three passes, disrupting Denver's offensive flow when they absolutely needed to close it out. He was yelling, he was pointing, he was doing all the Draymond things that drive opponents crazy and energize his teammates. That sequence where he stripped Michael Porter Jr. and then found Klay Thompson for a transition three? That was the momentum swing right there, cutting the lead to 105-104 with 2:30 remaining.
Thing is, the Nuggets got too comfortable. They were up by double digits and started settling for contested mid-range shots instead of running their offense through Jokic as effectively. Coach Mike Malone might want to revisit that film. You can’t let a team like the Warriors hang around, especially not with Curry on the floor.
Tactical Adjustments and Missed Opportunities
Steve Kerr made a smart move in the fourth, going small and putting Kevon Looney back on the bench in favor of more perimeter defense. That allowed Golden State to switch everything and deny the Nuggets easy post-ups for Jokic, forcing him to operate higher on the floor. It also sped up the pace, which definitely favored the Warriors' veteran guards.
On the other side, Malone stuck with his rotations a bit too long. Aaron Gordon, who had a strong first half with 14 points, faded significantly in the fourth, scoring just 2 points. Malone could have tried to get him more involved or perhaps used a different defensive look to contain Curry when he got hot. Real talk, letting Curry get to his spots repeatedly in crunch time is a recipe for disaster, and Denver paid the price.
I think the Nuggets' biggest mistake was not attacking the rim more aggressively in the final minutes. They settled for jumpers, and when those didn't fall, it allowed the Warriors to get out in transition. Golden State thrives on chaos, and Denver played right into their hands. The Warriors scored 10 fast-break points in the fourth quarter alone, compared to just 2 for the Nuggets.
What This Means Moving Forward
For the Warriors, this win is huge. It gives them a 2-1 lead in the season series against a legitimate title contender and, more importantly, a massive confidence boost heading into a tough road trip. They showed they can win ugly, they can win when they're down, and they still have the clutch gene. This team, currently sitting fourth in the Western Conference standings, looks like a real threat to make a deep playoff run if they can keep this defensive intensity.
The Nuggets, now 38-20, are still a top team, but this loss stings. It exposes a slight vulnerability in their ability to close out games against elite competition. They need to learn how to put teams away when they have a significant lead, especially against a team with the championship pedigree of Golden State. They'll face the Lakers next, a team that always gets up for Denver, and they'll need to shake off this disappointment quickly.
My slightly controversial take? While Jokic is phenomenal, the Nuggets rely on him a little too much to bail them out in crunch time. They need another consistent offensive threat, someone who can create their own shot when the primary action breaks down. Murray is good, but he's not quite that guy every single night.
Looking Ahead: The Road Gets Tougher
The Warriors now head to Dallas to face Luka Doncic and the Mavericks on Friday, followed by a trip to Houston. Those are two tough matchups, and they'll need to carry this defensive intensity with them. If they can sweep that road trip, they'll solidify their position even further in the West.
Denver, meanwhile, hosts the Lakers on Thursday, a game that always brings out the best in both teams. Then they travel to Phoenix to face Kevin Durant and the Suns. This next stretch will truly test the Nuggets' mental fortitude after letting a crucial game slip away.
Bold prediction: The Warriors will finish as the second seed in the Western Conference, fueled by this kind of late-season grit and a resurgent Klay Thompson.