Undermanned Warriors Stun Nuggets Despite Jokic's Historic Triple-Double

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Undermanned Warriors Stun Nuggets Despite Jokic's Historic Triple-Double

In a contest that saw an individual masterclass from Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic, the Golden State Warriors pulled off a surprising and inspiring 128-117 victory on Sunday afternoon. Despite Jokic's historic 35-point, 20-rebound, 12-assist triple-double, his monumental efforts were not enough to prevent his team's defeat at the hands of a severely undermanned Warriors squad, missing four of its highest-paid players.

The odds were heavily stacked against Golden State, with key figures like Stephen Curry (persistent knee soreness), Draymond Green (lower back tightness), Kristaps Porzingis (illness), and Jimmy Butler (season-ending ACL tear) all sidelined. These four players alone account for a staggering combined salary of $170.3 million this season, underscoring the formidable challenge the Warriors faced. Yet, head coach Steve Kerr's resilient team demonstrated exceptional tactical acumen and collective grit, capitalizing on their rested state against a fatigued Nuggets side playing its third road game in four days post-All-Star break.

"Our whole game plan going in was just keep the pressure on them," Warriors coach Steve Kerr stated. "Try to wear them down, keep running. I think that was definitely a factor. We were rested, and they were not." This tactical approach paid dividends early, as the Warriors sank 15 first-half 3-pointers, building a 14-point lead against Denver's weary defense.

A significant x-factor for the Warriors proved to be Al Horford, who stepped into the starting lineup for the injured Green. Golden State brilliantly exploited Horford's floor-stretching ability, allowing him to drain two 3-pointers in the first 76 seconds, three in the opening quarter, and six overall. This offensive burst punished Jokic for sagging too far away from the perimeter, with Horford's 22 points marking his highest tally in a Warriors uniform. Nuggets coach David Adelman expressed his bewilderment at the late switch: "That was confusing. I think that's why we give injury reports. Obviously, the game plan was very different."

Despite Golden State's strong start, the third quarter saw a significant dip in their performance, as they missed all 12 of their 3-point attempts. The Nuggets capitalized, outscoring them 34-19. Jokic was central to this resurgence, tallying 14 points and seven rebounds while playing every second of the quarter, helping Denver build a six-point lead before he finally took a well-deserved rest on the bench.

However, guard Brandin Podziemski emerged as the unlikely hero who swung the momentum back in Golden State's favor in the final period. After a dismal start, missing nine of his first ten shots, Podziemski dramatically turned his performance around. In a pivotal 12-minute stretch in the fourth quarter, he made all six of his shots, accumulating 15 points, eight rebounds, and two assists. Podziemski delivered three of the afternoon's most crucial shots down the stretch, finishing with an impressive 18 points, 15 rebounds, and nine assists – arguably his most impactful performance in what has been an underwhelming third NBA season for the former first-round pick. Kerr lauded Podziemski's versatility, remarking, "It's been up and down, for sure. We know what he can do from the last couple years. He's a very versatile player. It's really more about finding that sweet spot that we're trying to get him where he's making plays but not dominating the ball."

Jokic re-entered the game for the final six minutes but struggled to replicate his earlier dominance. He managed only three points, one rebound, and took just two shots, as the Nuggets were outscored by 11 points during his brief return. This marked Jokic's tenth game back after missing 16 consecutive games due to a hyperextended knee. Post-game, he openly admitted that his reintegration into the team's rhythm remains a work in progress. "I've never been in this situation, just because it felt so good before injury," Jokic explained. "Definitely need a little bit more time, a little bit more games than usual." This victory underscores the Warriors' depth and collective spirit even when facing adversity, while for the Nuggets, it highlights the ongoing challenge of fully re-integrating their superstar as the season progresses towards its critical stages.

Ekhbary News Agency