The Golden State Warriors saw their seven-game winning streak come to an end Monday night, falling 114-105 to an undermanned Denver Nuggets squad despite playing at home. Jimmy Butler led the way for Golden State with 23 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, while Stephen Curry contributed 20 points and seven assists.
However, the Warriors struggled from deep, shooting just 8-for-33 from three-point range, including a dismal 1-for-8 start in the first quarter that put them in an early hole. Draymond Green reached a milestone with his 6,000th career rebound, but Golden State couldn’t capitalize on Denver missing both Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
The Nuggets were fueled by a season-best 38 points from Aaron Gordon, while Russell Westbrook notched a triple-double with 12 points, a season-high 16 assists, and 12 rebounds. The Warriors briefly gained momentum in the second quarter behind a pair of highlight plays from Gary Payton II, but their cold shooting and defensive lapses proved too costly.
With Brandin Podziemski missing his fifth straight game due to a lower back strain, the Warriors will look to bounce back quickly when they host the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night. We have a rating for every Warriors player on Monday night.
Jimmy Butler III: B+
Stats: 23 PTS, 8 REB (3 OREB, 5 DREB), 6 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 2 TO, 2 PF, 8-16 FG, 1-4 3PT, 6-10 FT, -9, 33 MIN
Butler did his best to keep the Warriors afloat, delivering a well-rounded performance with 23 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. He attacked the basket with purpose and was active defensively, but his efficiency at the free-throw line (6-of-10) left some points on the table. Ultimately, his strong play wasn’t enough to overcome Golden State’s shooting woes.
Gary Payton II: B
Stats: 18 PTS, 3 REB (1 OREB, 2 DREB), 1 AST, 3 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 3 PF, 8-10 FG, 2-3 3PT, 0-1 FT, -1, 26 MIN
Payton was one of the few bright spots for the Warriors, bringing energy on both ends of the floor. His defensive instincts were on full display, grabbing three steals and making timely plays in transition. Efficient scoring (8-of-10 FG) and a couple of highlight moments kept the crowd engaged, but his impact waned as the game slipped away.
Stephen Curry: B-
Stats: 20 PTS, 4 REB (0 OREB, 4 DREB), 7 AST, 3 STL, 0 BLK, 7 TO, 2 PF, 6-21 FG, 4-14 3PT, 4-4 FT, -7, 36 MIN
It was an off night for Curry, who couldn’t find his rhythm from deep, shooting just 4-for-14 from beyond the arc. While he still tallied 20 points and seven assists, his seven turnovers were costly. Denver’s defense hounded him all night, and without much help from his supporting cast, he was forced into tough shots.
Jonathan Kuminga: C+
Stats: 13 PTS, 3 REB (0 OREB, 3 DREB), 4 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 3 TO, 3 PF, 4-11 FG, 0-2 3PT, 5-8 FT, +6, 28 MIN
Kuminga flashed his usual athleticism and aggression, but his inefficiency (4-for-11 FG) and turnovers (three) limited his overall effectiveness. He got to the line eight times, showing a willingness to attack, but his inconsistency on both ends prevented him from making a real difference in the outcome.
Draymond Green: C+
Stats: 10 PTS, 6 REB (0 OREB, 6 DREB), 5 AST, 3 STL, 5 BLK, 4 TO, 5 PF, 5-6 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-1 FT, -5, 33 MIN
Green reached a career milestone with his 6,000th rebound, but his night was a mixed bag. He contributed defensively with five blocks and three steals, but his four turnovers and five fouls hurt the Warriors. While he shot an efficient 5-for-6, his lack of impact in the closing moments stood out.
Moses Moody: C+
Stats: 9 PTS, 2 REB (2 OREB, 0 DREB), 0 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 2 PF, 4-9 FG, 1-4 3PT, 0-0 FT, -12, 25 MIN
Moody had some nice moments, particularly on defense, where he came up with two steals and a block. However, his shooting (4-for-9 FG, 1-for-4 3PT) was uninspiring, and he struggled to find a rhythm within the offense. His energy was there, but the production didn’t quite follow.
Kevon Looney: C+
Stats: 6 PTS, 7 REB (4 OREB, 3 DREB), 0 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 3 PF, 3-3 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-3 FT, -4, 15 MIN
Looney provided his usual rebounding presence, pulling down seven boards in just 15 minutes. He was a perfect 3-for-3 from the field, but his 0-for-3 performance at the free-throw line was frustrating. His playing time was limited, likely due to the Warriors opting for a smaller lineup.
Gui Santos: C
Stats: 0 PTS, 4 REB (1 OREB, 3 DREB), 0 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 3 TO, 1 PF, 0-1 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, -4, 14 MIN
Santos had a forgettable night, failing to score and committing three turnovers in 14 minutes. While he was active on the boards and had a solid defensive moment with a block, his offensive struggles and decision-making left much to be desired.
Buddy Hield: D
Stats: 2 PTS, 0 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 1-4 FG, 0-3 3PT, 0-0 FT, 0, 21 MIN
Hield simply couldn’t get anything going, finishing with just two points on 1-for-4 shooting. The Warriors brought him in to provide floor spacing, but he missed all three of his three-point attempts and was a non-factor offensively.
Quinten Post: N/A
Stats: 4 PTS, 1 REB (0 OREB, 1 DREB), 0 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 2-3 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, -9, 8 MIN
Post saw limited minutes in garbage time but made the most of his short stint, hitting two of his three shots. While his role was minor, he at least showed some scoring ability in his brief appearance.
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