SAN FRANCISCO — The Warriors suffered their worst lack of the Jimmy Butler Period.
Towards the Nuggets staff with out Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Christian Braun, Golden State by no means received into gear.
The Warriors turned it over 10 occasions within the first half and missed 12 of their first 13 3-pointers, falling behind by as a lot as 15. Even when Butler tried to place the Warriors on his again within the fourth quarter, the Nuggets confirmed resilience.
By getting trap-gamed, the Warriors (39-29) missed a golden alternative to tug inside 2.5 video games of the Nuggets within the Western convention standings. Steph Curry shot 6-for-21 and dedicated seven turnovers as Archbishop Mitty alum Aaron Gordon led Denver with a game-high 38 factors within the Nuggets’ 114-105 win.
The Warriors missed 12 foul photographs within the nine-point loss and shot 8-for-33 (24%) from behind the arc. The upped the depth out of desperation within the fourth quarter, however by no means pulled forward. Russell Westbrook dished 10 dimes within the first half and 16 total in a triple-double, organizing the Nuggets with out their three-time MVP.
With the 6-foot-8 Gordon working as Denver’s heart, rookie Quinten Publish received performed off the court docket. The Warriors had centered their recreation plan round stopping Jokic, however needed to scrap that pregame when Denver dominated him out. The Nuggets spaced out the Warriors and capitalized on their turnovers.
Even after the Warriors recorded blocks or compelled turnovers, they usually gave the ball proper again to Denver. Curry and Inexperienced compelled a number of hit-ahead passes that received intercepted.
The Nuggets had solutions any time the Warriors threatened to make a run. Gordon nailed a fadeaway 3-pointer within the nook and Westbrook added 5 fast factors to maintain the Nuggets’ lead in double figures late within the third quarter.
Denver’s confidence solely grew. They solved the Warriors’ transient shows of zone protection and have been unbothered by Gary Payton II’s inclusion within the lineup to begin the second half.
An emphatic Butler rejection into the primary row received the Chase Heart crowd on its ft, then his reverse layup in site visitors moments later had them roaring. However Buddy Hield missed a large open 3 above the break that may’ve pulled the Warriors inside six, making them 5-for-24 from deep.
Sensing the second, Butler tried to take over in his personal manner. He dug out an offensive rebound beneath the basket earlier than diving on the ground to put it aside from going out of bounds. Then he bullied his method to the foul line proper after, hunching over along with his fingers on his knees in exhaustion.
However Butler, a profession 83% foul shooter, missed each and 4 on the evening. It wasn’t the Warriors’ evening.
Butler added a 3 and added two foul photographs to inch Golden State inside eight. The Warriors went with their 5 greatest athletes on the court docket — Butler, Payton, Moses Moody, Jonathan Kuminga and Draymond Inexperienced — as Curry took his common relaxation to begin the fourth.
Inexperienced added a tricky and-1 and a coast-to-coast slam to pressure a Denver timeout with 7:19. Kuminga (13 factors, 4 assists, 4 rebounds) compelled back-to-back turnovers whereas guarding Westbrook, persevering with the tide-turn and pulling inside three.
However like they did all recreation, the Nuggets pulled out responses. Westbrook hit a 3-pointer to return Denver’s result in 10 and provides him a triple-double. Then Curry missed two of his 10 3s within the ultimate three minutes and turned it over for a seventh time on an ill-advised lob try.
The Warriors are actually 14-2 with Butler within the lineup and need to play Milwaukee on the second evening of a back-to-back after a tricky defeat.
