Warriors vs Nuggets: Nuggets beat Warriors thanks to Jokic's 18th triple-double

Nikola Jokic posted his second triple-double in as many nights, finishing with 32 points, 15 rebounds, and 13 assists to lead the Denver Nuggets to a 131-124 victory against the Golden State Warriors on Monday night. Jokic has 11 triple-doubles in his previous 23 games, and he leads the league with 18 this season. The reigning NBA MVP was coming off a 46-point, 12-rebound, and 11-assist performance in Sunday’s 138-130 victory against New Orleans.

For the Nuggets, who have won 11 of their last 13 games and are now 13 games above.500 for the first time this season, Monte Morris and Jeff Green each scored 18 points. “We did a terrific job today in terms of sharing the ball and scoring,” Jokic remarked. “We did a great job in transition.” It’s always wonderful to have more than 30 assists as a team.”

We need to show some extra love to @ClutchREED_5 tonight! A big 17 coming off the bench for our guy? pic.twitter.com/7nDXd68bP1

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) March 8, 2022

The Warriors were playing with a weakened team after coach Steve Kerr revealed on Saturday that Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Andrew Wiggins would be resting. Due to injury, Andre Iguodala and Gary Payton Jr. were also sidelined.

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Jordan Poole had 32 points and Moses Moody had 30 for the Warriors, who dropped their fifth game in a row and seventh in their last eight. This season, the Warriors are 0-3 versus the Nuggets.

Monday’s game was a make-up of a Dec. 30 game that was cancelled due to a COVID-19 outbreak, which left the Nuggets without eight healthy players, the league’s required minimum. As a consequence, the Warriors, who play again in Denver on Thursday night, will have to play at altitude twice in four days. Golden State plays the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night in San Francisco.

Warriors were down 71 – 69 against Nuggets at halftime

Poole’s 3-pointer put the Warriors up 83-77. However, the Nuggets outscored Golden State 27-18 in the last 9 1/2 minutes to take a 104-101 lead into the fourth quarter. Poole’s 3-pointer cut the Warriors’ lead to 117-114 with 4:57 left, but Austin Rivers hit a jumper and a breakaway slam sandwiched around Kevon Looney’s dunk to give Denver a five-point lead with 2:29 left.

Jokic nailed a three-pointer, a floater in the lane, and another free throw to help the Nuggets hold on for the victory.