Jokic scores 38 points and helps Nuggets mount a late comeback to beat Warriors 119-115
Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney, left, knocks the ball out of the hands of Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic as he drives to the rim in the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Denver. Credit: AP/David Zalubowski
DENVER — Nikola Jokic had 38 points, 10 rebounds and five steals to rally the Denver Nuggets to a 119-115 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night.
Jokic fell four assists shy of his NBA-leading ninth triple-double of the season. The reigning league MVP remained tied with Magic Johnson for the third-most triple-doubles in NBA history with 138.
Michael Porter Jr. added 22 points and Aaron Gordon had 15 points and nine rebounds for Denver.
The loss was the fifth in a row for Golden State following a 12-3 start and means the Warriors will travel to Houston next week for the NBA Cup quarterfinals.
Steph Curry had 24 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds for the Warriors, though was just 4 for 15 on 3-pointers. Jonathan Kuminga added 19 points.
Trailing 90-85 entering the fourth quarter, the Warriors rattled off a 19-4 run to take a 104-94 lead. But Denver came back and went ahead on a pair of free throws by Gordon with 48 seconds remaining.
Golden State was without defensive anchor Draymond Green, who was sidelined with left calf tightness.
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook, front left, drives past Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski, back left, and forward Trayce Jackson-Davis to pass the ball in the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Denver. Credit: AP/David Zalubowski
Takeaways
Nuggets: Denver extended its regular-season win streak against Golden State to eight games. The Nuggets have won 11 of the past 12 meetings.
Warriors: Golden State was without defensive anchor Draymond Green, who was sidelined with left calf tightness.
Key moment
Jamal Murray's steal with 20 seconds remaining prevented the Warriors from attempting a game-tying or go-ahead shot and led to Jokic's two free throws on the other end to ice the game.
Key stat
Eight of the past 10 matchups between the teams have been decided by six or fewer points.
Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield, front, looks to pass the ball as Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook, back left, and forward Aaron Gordon defend in the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Denver. Credit: AP/David Zalubowski
Up next
The Nuggets will play at Cleveland on Thursday night and the Warriors will host Houston on Thursday night.
More NBA news
