CNN
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Regardless of Steph Curry scoring a game-high 34 factors, the Golden State Warriors suffered their first lack of the season, to the Denver Nuggets on Friday, taking place 125-123 to the staff they eradicated from the primary spherical of the Western Convention playoffs in April.
Curry added 5 rebounds and 4 assists to his 34 factors on 10-of-22 capturing however couldn’t drag his staff to victory in San Francisco.
The defending champions had been undone by a formidable efficiency from final season’s MVP Nikola Jokic who completed with 26 factors, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for his 77th profession triple-double.
With this newest one, Jokic now has the second-most triple-doubles in NBA historical past, behind solely Wilt Chamberlain on 78.
The primary quarter remained finely poised however Denver pulled away within the second and had constructed a 20-point lead by the start of the third.
“I believed they only got here out with far more pressure than we did and set the tone,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr mentioned, per NBA.
“After which at that time, it’s robust, enjoying upstream towards an excellent staff and I beloved our effort within the second half. I believed our guys competed and gave ourselves an opportunity and it was simply, an excessive amount of to beat after falling behind by 20.”
The Warriors fought again within the fourth and a Jordan Poole layup with 14.7 seconds remaining left Golden State only a level behind.
However instantly afterwards, because the Warriors had been nonetheless getting again in transition, Jokic secured the rebound and heaved the ball 85 ft down court docket to seek out Bruce Brown for a two-foot dunk.
Two free throws from Jokic with 6.6 seconds left took Denver’s lead past three factors and sealed the victory.
“Actually, we now have eight years collectively now and [nothing surprises me],” Nuggets coach Michael Malone mentioned, in line with ESPN.
“So many large video games, so many moments when [Jokic has] made the large play, the proper play and a game-changing sort of play. … His IQ is off the charts. He’s on the market enjoying chess, and a number of different guys are enjoying checkers.”
Elsewhere within the Western Convention, Ja Morant dazzled, scoring 49 factors to hold the Memphis Grizzlies to a 129-122 win over the Houston Rockets.
Within the Japanese Convention, the Brooklyn Nets held on for a 109-105 victory over the Toronto Raptors, after virtually letting a 12-point lead slip within the fourth, whereas the Atlanta Hawks defeated the Orlando Magic 108-98.
