Game ID: 22300402
Golden State Warriors @ Denver Nuggets
Monday, December 25, 2023 at 2:30 PM ET
Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
DEN 29 24 39 28 120GSW 26 28 35 25 114
DEN vs GSW ScoutingDEN vs GSW Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
DEN availability going into 12/18 · 1 day's restOUT Caldwell-Pope missed 2 since 12/14, returns tonight: 26 min (82% of 32)
NEW Holiday 15 to 20 min over the last 4
NEW Strawther 11 to 18 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 12/20 · 1 day's restBACK Caldwell-Pope back 12/18 after 2, 26 min since (82% of 32)
NEW Holiday 15 to 20 min over the last 4
NEW Strawther 11 to 21 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 12/22 · 1 day's restOUT Jordan missed 2 since 12/18, returns tonight: 6 min (56% of 11)
BACK Caldwell-Pope back 12/18 after 2, 29 min since (91% of 32)
NEW Holiday 15 to 20 min over the last 4
NEW Strawther 11 to 18 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 12/23 · back-to-backOUT Holiday missed 2 since 12/20, out tonight
BACK Caldwell-Pope back 12/18 after 2, 29 min since (92% of 32)
BACK Jordan back 12/22 after 2, 6 min since (56% of 11)
NEW Strawther 11 to 16 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 12/25 · 1 day's restOUT Holiday missed 3 since 12/20, out tonight
BACK Caldwell-Pope back 12/18 after 2, 30 min since (94% of 32)
BACK Jordan back 12/22 after 2, 6 min since (56% of 11)
DEN availability going into 12/28 · 2 days' restOUT Holiday missed 4 since 12/20, returns tonight: 18 min (122% of 15)
OUT Jordan missed 2 since 12/23, returns tonight: 12 min (116% of 11)
BACK Caldwell-Pope back 12/18 after 2, 31 min since (98% of 32)
DEN availability going into 12/29 · back-to-backBACK Holiday back 12/28 after 4, 18 min since (122% of 15)
BACK Jordan back 12/22 after 2, 9 min since (86% of 11)
DEN availability going into 1/01 · 2 days' restOUT Gordon missed 2 since 12/28, returns tonight: 25 min (76% of 32)
BACK Holiday back 12/28 after 4, 17 min since (115% of 15)
BACK Jordan back 12/22 after 2, 11 min since (98% of 11)
DEN availability going into 1/04 · 2 days' restBACK Gordon back 1/01 after 2, 25 min since (76% of 32)
BACK Holiday back 12/28 after 4, 17 min since (115% of 15)
BACK Jordan back 12/28 after 2, 13 min since (119% of 11)
GSW availability going into 12/17 · back-to-backOUT Green missed 2 since 12/14, out tonight
OUT Payton II missed 7 since 11/30, out tonight
OUT Joseph missed 3 since 12/12, out tonight
OUT Quinones missed 12 since 11/18, out tonight
BACK Wiggins back 12/06 after 2, 25 min since (91% of 27)
BACK Paul back 12/06 after 2, 27 min since (104% of 26)
BACK Jackson-Davis back 12/12 after 5, 6 min since (36% of 17)
GSW availability going into 12/19 · 1 day's restOUT Green missed 3 since 12/14, out tonight
OUT Payton II missed 8 since 11/30, out tonight
OUT Joseph missed 4 since 12/12, returns tonight: 6 min (54% of 11)
OUT Quinones missed 13 since 11/18, out tonight
BACK Jackson-Davis back 12/12 after 5, 10 min since (59% of 17)
GSW availability going into 12/22 · 2 days' restOUT Green missed 4 since 12/14, out tonight
OUT Payton II missed 9 since 11/30, out tonight
OUT Quinones missed 14 since 11/18, returns tonight: 6 min (57% of 11)
BACK Jackson-Davis back 12/12 after 5, 15 min since (87% of 17)
BACK Joseph back 12/19 after 4, 6 min since (54% of 11)
GSW availability going into 12/23 · back-to-backOUT Green missed 5 since 12/14, out tonight
OUT Payton II missed 10 since 11/30, out tonight
BACK Joseph back 12/19 after 4, 10 min since (86% of 11)
BACK Quinones back 12/22 after 14, 6 min since (57% of 11)
GSW availability going into 12/25 · 1 day's restOUT Green missed 6 since 12/14, out tonight
OUT Wiggins missed 2 since 12/22, returns tonight: 29 min (107% of 27)
OUT Payton II missed 11 since 11/30, out tonight
BACK Joseph back 12/19 after 4, 8 min since (68% of 11)
BACK Quinones back 12/22 after 14, 6 min since (57% of 11)
NEW Jackson-Davis 17 to 22 min over the last 4
GSW availability going into 12/28 · 2 days' restOUT Green missed 7 since 12/14, out tonight
OUT Payton II missed 12 since 11/30, out tonight
OUT Quinones missed 2 since 12/23, returns tonight: 2 min (20% of 11)
BACK Wiggins back 12/25 after 2, 29 min since (107% of 27)
BACK Joseph back 12/19 after 4, 8 min since (68% of 11)
GSW availability going into 12/30 · 1 day's restOUT Green missed 8 since 12/14, out tonight
OUT Payton II missed 13 since 11/30, returns tonight: 9 min (60% of 16)
BACK Wiggins back 12/25 after 2, 27 min since (101% of 27)
BACK Joseph back 12/19 after 4, 6 min since (56% of 11)
BACK Quinones back 12/22 after 14, 4 min since (38% of 11)
NEW Jackson-Davis 17 to 22 min over the last 5
GSW availability going into 1/02 · 2 days' restOUT Green missed 9 since 12/14, out tonight
BACK Wiggins back 12/25 after 2, 28 min since (102% of 27)
BACK Payton II back 12/30 after 13, 9 min since (60% of 16)
BACK Quinones back 12/22 after 14, 4 min since (38% of 11)
NEW Jackson-Davis 17 to 22 min over the last 5
GSW availability going into 1/04 · 1 day's restOUT Green missed 10 since 12/14, out tonight
OUT Moody missed 2 since 12/30, out tonight
OUT Joseph missed 2 since 12/30, out tonight
OUT Quinones missed 2 since 12/30, out tonight
BACK Wiggins back 12/25 after 2, 26 min since (96% of 27)
BACK Payton II back 12/30 after 13, 10 min since (64% of 16)
NEW Jackson-Davis 17 to 22 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 108, shooting 49 percent and 41 from three, 18 free throws a game; Jokić at 22 and Murray at 22 a game. That is 4 straight wins. One day's rest. Golden State comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 117, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 19 free throws a game; Curry at 27 and Thompson at 25 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Green (6 straight), Wiggins (2 straight), Payton II (11 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Golden State has been plus-9 a night and Denver plus-2 and the defense, Denver allowing 108 a night to Golden State's 117. Call it Denver 117, Golden State 114, Golden State keeping it close.
12/18 vs DAL 130-104 — DEN notes
DEN won 130-104. DEN shot 56% (49 of 87) to DAL's 45%, 14 of 26 from three. Murray led with 22 (8 of 14, 4 of 4 from three); Gordon added 21, Jackson 20. The hinge was Q3, 30-21: a lead of 9 became 18, and the lead reached 36. Braun was the night's best plus/minus at +19.
12/20 @ TOR 113-104 — DEN notes
DEN won 113-104. DEN shot 50% (49 of 98) to TOR's 48%, 12 of 33 from three, and got to the line 7 times to TOR's 13. Jokić led with 31 (13 of 23, 3 of 5 from three); Murray added 20, Porter Jr. 12. The hinge was Q1, 29-20: from level to 9 ahead, and the lead reached 21. Jokić was the night's best plus/minus at +15.
12/22 @ BKN 122-117 — DEN notes
DEN won 122-117. DEN shot 52% (45 of 87) to BKN's 48%, 11 of 26 from three. Murray led with 32 (11 of 19, 4 of 6 from three, 6 of 8 at the line); Jokić added 31, Gordon 18. The hinge was Q3, 30-26: DEN came in trailing by 2 and left it ahead by 2. DEN trailed 58-60 at the half and won the second half 64-57. Jokić was the night's best plus/minus at +29.
12/23 @ CHA 102-95 — DEN notes
DEN won 102-95. DEN shot 43% (39 of 90) to CHA's 39%, 12 of 30 from three, and got to the line 14 times to CHA's 23. Porter Jr. led with 22 (8 of 14, 5 of 8 from three); Murray added 20, Jokić 18. The hinge was Q3, 30-9: DEN came in trailing by 6 and left it ahead by 15, and the lead reached 18. DEN trailed 54-60 at the half and won the second half 48-35. Porter Jr. was the night's best plus/minus at +15.
12/25 vs GSW 120-114 — DEN notes
DEN won 120-114. DEN shot 49% (40 of 82) to GSW's 46%, 14 of 34 from three, and went to the line 32 times to GSW's 23 — 26 points from the stripe to their 20. Murray led with 28 (10 of 18, 3 of 5 from three); Jokić added 26, Porter Jr. 19. The hinge was Q3, 39-35: DEN came in trailing by 1 and left it ahead by 3. DEN trailed 53-54 at the half and won the second half 67-60. Porter Jr. was the night's best plus/minus at +23.
12/28 vs MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 107, shooting 50 percent and 42 from three, 20 free throws a game; Murray at 24 and Jokić at 23 a game. That is 5 straight wins. 2 days' rest. Memphis comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 113, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 25 free throws a game; Morant at 29 and Bane at 27 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Jackson (4 straight), Kennard (18 straight), LaRavia (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Memphis giving it away 17 times a game to Denver's 10 and the arc, Denver at 42 percent from three to Memphis's 34. Call it Denver 116, Memphis 108.
12/29 vs OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 107, shooting 50 percent and 42 from three, 18 free throws a game; Jokić at 26 and Murray at 25 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Second night of a back-to-back. OKC comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 113, shooting 53 percent and 40 from three, 20 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 33 and Jal. Williams at 22 a game. One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-5 a night and OKC minus-3 and the defense, Denver allowing 107 a night to OKC's 113. Call it Denver 117, OKC 116, OKC keeping it close.
1/01 vs CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 110, shooting 49 percent and 40 from three, 20 free throws a game; Jokić at 24 and Murray at 22 a game. Without Gordon (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Charlotte comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 125, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 19 free throws a game; Rozier at 26 and Bridges at 19 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Ball (15 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the defense, Denver allowing 110 a night to Charlotte's 125 and the glass, where Denver has been plus-1 a night and Charlotte minus-3. Call it Denver 121, Charlotte 108, Denver by 13.
1/04 @ GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Golden State comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 117, shooting 49 percent and 34 from three, 24 free throws a game; Curry at 24 and Wiggins at 14 a game. Without Green (10 straight), Moody (2 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 105, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 19 free throws a game; Murray at 21 and Jokić at 20 a game. 2 days' rest.
So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Denver allowing 105 a night to Golden State's 117 and the arc, Denver at 39 percent from three to Golden State's 34. Call it Denver 115, Golden State 113, Golden State keeping it close.
12/17 @ POR 118-114 — GSW notes
GSW won 118-114. GSW shot 53% (46 of 87) to POR's 47%, 13 of 38 from three. Thompson led with 28 (11 of 16, 5 of 10 from three); Wiggins added 25, Jackson-Davis 14. The hinge was Q2, 38-26: a lead of 4 became 16, and the lead reached 22. Curry was the night's best plus/minus at +14.
12/19 vs BOS 132-126 — GSW notes
GSW won 132-126 in 1 overtime. GSW shot 46% (50 of 109) to BOS's 41%, 20 of 50 from three. Curry led with 33 (11 of 21, 6 of 11 from three); Thompson added 24, Kuminga 17. The hinge was Q4, 35-24: GSW came in trailing by 11 and left it level. GSW trailed 62-65 at the half and won the second half 70-61. Jackson-Davis was the night's best plus/minus at +25.
12/22 vs WAS 129-118 — GSW notes
GSW won 129-118. GSW shot 48% (47 of 97) to WAS's 45%, 18 of 45 from three. The glass went 57-39 for them. Curry led with 30 (9 of 18, 8 of 13 from three); Kuminga added 22, Thompson 20. The hinge was Q3, 38-22: a lead of 2 became 18, and the lead reached 23. Paul was the night's best plus/minus at +27.
12/23 vs POR 126-106 — GSW notes
GSW won 126-106. GSW shot 58% (48 of 83) to POR's 45%, 10 of 33 from three. GSW turned it over 16 times to POR's 11, and POR turned those into 13 steals. The glass went 49-30 for them. Thompson led with 28 (11 of 16, 6 of 10 from three); Curry added 27, Podziemski 15. The hinge was Q2, 34-16: GSW came in trailing by 7 and left it ahead by 11, and the lead reached 23. Podziemski was the night's best plus/minus at +25.
12/25 @ DEN 114-120 — GSW notes
GSW lost 114-120. GSW shot 46% (40 of 87) to DEN's 49%, 14 of 40 from three, and got to the line 23 times to DEN's 32. Wiggins led with 22 (7 of 11, 2 of 4 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Curry added 18, Šarić 14. Q2 was theirs, 28-24, turning a 3-point deficit into a 1-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 96-86 against them. Curry's -26 in 34 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/28 vs MIA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Golden State comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 117, shooting 50 percent and 36 from three, 20 free throws a game; Curry at 23 and Thompson at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Green (7 straight), Payton II (12 straight). 2 days' rest. Miami comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 112, shooting 48 percent and 41 from three, 26 free throws a game; Herro at 26 and Adebayo at 21 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Butler III (3 straight), Jović (9 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Golden State has been plus-9 a night and Miami plus-0 and the line, where Miami takes 26 free throws a game to Golden State's 20. Call it Golden State 117, Miami 115, Miami keeping it close.
12/30 vs DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Golden State comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 117, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 21 free throws a game; Curry at 24 and Thompson at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Green (8 straight), Payton II (13 straight). One day's rest. Dallas comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 117, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 24 free throws a game; Dončić at 43 and Hardaway Jr. at 21 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Irving (11 straight), Kleber (24 straight). One day's rest.
So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Golden State has been plus-7 a night and Dallas minus-7. Call it Golden State 119, Dallas 116, Dallas keeping it close.
1/02 vs ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Golden State comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 118, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 21 free throws a game; Curry at 23 and Wiggins at 16 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Green (9 straight). 2 days' rest. Orlando comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 112, shooting 47 percent and 31 from three, 28 free throws a game; F. Wagner at 27 and Banchero at 27 a game. Without Fultz (24 straight), Ingles (8 straight), Isaac (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the line, where Orlando takes 28 free throws a game to Golden State's 21 and the glass, where Golden State has been plus-7 a night and Orlando plus-3. Call it Golden State 116, Orlando 113, Orlando keeping it close.
1/04 vs DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Golden State comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 117, shooting 49 percent and 34 from three, 24 free throws a game; Curry at 24 and Wiggins at 14 a game. Without Green (10 straight), Moody (2 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 105, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 19 free throws a game; Murray at 21 and Jokić at 20 a game. 2 days' rest.
So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Denver allowing 105 a night to Golden State's 117 and the arc, Denver at 39 percent from three to Golden State's 34. Call it Denver 115, Golden State 113, Golden State keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
DENAG A. Gordon
CB C. Braun
JM J. Murray
JS J. Strawther
JO Jokic
KC K. Caldwell-Pope
MP M. Porter Jr.
NJ N. Jokić
PW P. Watson
RJ R. Jackson
ZN Z. Nnaji
GSWAW A. Wiggins
BP B. Podziemski
CP C. Paul
DŠ D. Šarić
JK J. Kuminga
KL K. Looney
KT K. Thompson
SC S. Curry
SA Saric
TJ T. Jackson-Davis
DEN/GSW the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Jokic a perfect 18-of-18 from free-throw line, draws ire of Kerr, as Nuggets beat Warriors 120-114
DENVER -- — Nikola Jokic 's frequent parade to the free-throw line was a sore subject for Steve Kerr.
The Golden State coach doesn't feel like defense gets rewarded consistently enough in today's NBA.
Jokic overcame an off day from the field by going 18 of 18 from the free-throw line and the Denver Nuggets extended their winning streak to five games by holding off the Warriors 120-114 on Monday .
Jokic finished with 26 points despite a 4-of-12 showing from the floor. He set a career-high with his 18 made free throws. In all, the Nuggets were 26 of 32 from the free-throw line.
“I have no problem with the officials themselves,” Kerr said after the game. “I have a problem with the way we are legislating defense out of the game. That’s what we’re doing. The way we’re teaching officials, we’re just enabling to players to (fool) their way to the foul line. If I was a fan, I wouldn’t have wanted to watch the second half of that game. It was disgusting.
“It was just baiting refs into calls. But the refs have to make those calls because that’s how they’re taught.”
The combination of Kevon Looney and rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis took turns trying to contain Jokic, who didn’t have his customary touch around the basket. Jokic made up for it by being more aggressive and getting to the line.
“He gets fouled a lot. He gets beat up down there,” explained Jamal Murray , who scored a game-high 28 points. “It’s hard to call every foul, I understand. They can only do so much.”
Kerr said that players are “smart in this league. Over the last decade, they’ve gotten smarter and smarter. We have enabled the players and they’re taking full advantage and it’s a parade to the free-throw line. It’s disgusting to watch.”
Stephen Curry weighed in on the topic, too.
“When there’s physicality, it’s tough because it’s inconsistent at times on either side,” said Curry, who took a bit to warm up, not scoring until midway through the second quarter, but heated up to finish with 18 points. “A night like tonight, you feel like there’s physicality on one side and then kind of ticky-tack on the other and then they get into the bonus and it changes the (complexion) of the game. It’s not like we don’t foul. I’m not saying that.
"It was tough tonight, slowed the whole game down. (Jokic) made every free throw and changed the momentum, played into their hands.”
Jokic also had 14 rebounds and eight assists.
Last Christmas, the Nuggets big man erupted for 41 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists in an overtime win over Phoenix .
All five Denver starters scored in double figures, with Michael Porter Jr . (19 points, 10 rebounds) and Aaron Gordon (16 points, 10 rebounds) both posting double-doubles.
It was a back-and-forth game that featured nine lead changes in the second half. Denver took the lead for good on Jokic's left-handed hook shot with 5:16 remaining.
“We closed the fourth and we had a lot of guys step up and make timely plays down the stretch of a close game,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “Winning makes a world of difference.”
Andrew Wiggins gave the Warriors a boost by scoring 22 points as he returned to the floor after missing two games with an illness.
Golden State played on Christmas for an 11th straight year.
The Warriors moved to 5-2 since the indefinite suspension of Draymond Green after striking Phoenix center Jusuf Nurkic in the face. Kerr said before the game that Green has mostly stayed away during his suspension. Kerr added that he has been in contact with the training staff and the coaches.
UP NEXT
Warriors: Begin a seven-game homestand Thursday against Miami.