Kurtenbach: The reigning champions delivered a sobering reality check to the Warriors. They are unable to ignore it.
SAN FRANCISCO: At Chase Centre on Sunday night, the Denver Nuggets gave the Warriors a harsh reality check.
The Dubs entered the game on a high note, having emerged victorious from a longer run of victories that had brought the team back to respectability and the outside of the top six in the Western Conference.
After being on the verge of elimination just a few weeks ago, Golden State was beginning to believe they could make this season one to remember.
Later on, maybe the Warriors can accomplish that.
However, the Nuggets demonstrated to them that the Warriors are far from being in the second category—that is, respectability and genuine competition.
What we witnessed the dynastic Warriors do to so many teams over the course of a half-decade was replicated by the Nuggets on Sunday night against the Warriors: they played with them for a while early in the game, giving the opposition a lead and confidence, and then they smothered them.
In the first half, the Warriors’ lead reached as high as fifteen points. Klay Thompson scored 23 points in the first two quarters and looked like 23 again. Andrew Wiggins had the appearance of an impact wing. The Warriors were switching up their defence, the ball was moving on offence, and the San Francisco crowd was obviously having a great time.
The Nuggets then made the decision to have enough of everything.
Denver tied the game at halftime after finishing the first half on a 14-0 run.
They then scored another 14-0 run in the second half.
Nikola Jokić had complete control over the game, recording an incredible stat line of 32 points, 16 rebounds, 16 assists, and 4 steals. Most astonishingly, I don’t believe he ever leaped.
And with an efficient 27 points from Jamal Murray, the Nuggets’ one-two punch destroyed the Dubs offensively.
The Nuggets dominated the Warriors on defence starting at the end of the second quarter. Denver outlasted the Warriors at every position, and as the game went on, Golden State was outmatched by the Nuggets’ size and strength. The Nuggets exerted the most pressure on possessions.
The Nuggets dominated the Warriors on defence starting at the end of the second quarter. Denver outlasted the Warriors at every position, and as the game went on, Golden State was outmatched by the Nuggets’ size and strength. When the Dubs needed to score the most points, the Nuggets made things the hardest.
When Golden State coach Steve Kerr took his best players off the court late in the fourth quarter, the Warriors’ fifteen-point lead had grown to a fifteen-point advantage over the Nuggets.
Denver ended the first half on a 14-0 run, tying the score at the half.
In the second half, they added another 14-0 run.
With an incredible stat line of 32 points, 16 rebounds, 16 assists, and 4 steals, Nikola Jokić had total control over the game. Most remarkably, I don’t think he ever jumped.
And Jamal Murray’s potent 27 points ensured that the Nuggets’ one-two punch offensively destroyed the Dubs.
At the conclusion of the second quarter, the Nuggets began to dominate the Warriors on defence. Denver outlasted the Warriors at every position, and as the game progressed, the size and strength of the Nuggets overwhelmed Golden State. The team putting the most pressure on possessions was the Nuggets.
The Warriors have defeated relative underdogs recently. Sure, a win is a win, but you have to defeat the best of the best in order to compete for a title.
Additionally, the Warriors are 3-17 against the top six teams this season (1-2 against the Pelicans, 1-3 against the Suns) and 2-12 against the four best teams in the West (1-3 against the Thunder, 1-3 against the Clippers, 0-2 against the Timberwolves, and 0-4 against the Nuggets).
The Warriors’ most recent victory over the Nuggets occurred in Game 5 of their 2022 playoff first-round series.
Since then, the roles have been switched.
Are the Dubs now playing better recently? Indeed. And as a result, they are a lock to make the playoffs. (Or a team that advances.)
