Nuggets Crush Warriors 129-104 Without Curry, Jokic Shines

UPDATE: The Denver Nuggets delivered a commanding performance against the Golden State Warriors, winning 129-104 on Friday night. This victory marks the Nuggets’ fifth consecutive home win, maintaining their perfect record at 5-0 in Denver this season.

Nikola Jokic led the charge with 26 points and was just shy of a triple-double, finishing with nine rebounds and eight assists. The superstar sat out the entire fourth quarter as Denver surged ahead. Jamal Murray also contributed significantly, adding 23 points to the scoreboard.

The Warriors, missing their star player Stephen Curry for the second straight game due to an illness, struggled to keep pace. Despite the return of Draymond Green (who scored 17 points) and Jimmy Butler (with 16 points), Golden State fell to their fifth consecutive road loss. Coach Steve Kerr provided a brief update on Curry, stating, “Steph’s good, feeling a little better today,” and expressed hopes for his return on Sunday against the Indiana Pacers.

The Nuggets took control early, but the Warriors managed to close the gap with an 11-0 run during the second quarter while Jokic rested. However, Murray quickly responded with back-to-back three-pointers, igniting a 34-18 run that concluded the half at a dominant 66-49 lead for Denver.

As the game progressed, the Nuggets extended their advantage to 99-77 by the end of the third quarter. The win is crucial for Denver, keeping them competitive in the West Group C after a previous loss to Portland on October 31.

Looking ahead, both teams will face the Indiana Pacers; the Nuggets will host them on Saturday night, while the Warriors will meet them at home on Sunday night. The stakes are high as both teams aim to regain momentum in the league.

This decisive victory not only underscores the Nuggets’ strong home performance but also raises questions about the Warriors’ ability to perform without their key player. Fans are eagerly awaiting updates on Curry’s health as the season progresses.

Stay tuned for further developments as the NBA season unfolds.