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Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr criticized his team's performance, calling them "awful" after their seven-game winning streak was snapped by the Denver Nuggets in San Francisco. Aaron Gordon led the Nuggets with a season-high 38 points in a 114-105 victory, stepping up in the absence of star center Nikola Jokic. This marked Gordon's highest-scoring game since joining Denver from the Orlando Magic in 2021.
Kerr admitted his team never found their rhythm, stating, "We played poorly out of the gate and never found rhythm, and they played great. The right team won. We didn't deserve anything. We were awful." Despite strong performances from Jimmy Butler III, who scored 23 points, and Stephen Curry, who added 20, the Warriors suffered only their second loss in 14 games.
Russell Westbrook, the NBA's all-time leader in triple-doubles, recorded his 203rd with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 16 assists. Meanwhile, Denver secured an important win, maintaining their fourth-place position in the Western Conference, while Golden State remains in the final playoff spot at sixth.
Elsewhere, the Los Angeles Lakers moved closer to the Nuggets in fourth place despite being without injured star LeBron James. They defeated the San Antonio Spurs 125-109, with Austin Reaves leading the way with 30 points. Luka Doncic contributed 21 points, nine rebounds, and 14 assists.
In another dramatic game, the Houston Rockets staged a stunning comeback from a 25-point third-quarter deficit to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 144-137 in overtime, keeping their hold on second place in the Western Conference. The Minnesota Timberwolves also needed overtime to edge past the Indiana Pacers 132-130, with Obi Toppin delivering an impressive performance of 34 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists.
In the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks continued their strong season with a 116-95 victory over the Miami Heat, solidifying their third-place position. Meanwhile, the Detroit Pistons climbed to sixth after a dominant 127-81 win against the New Orleans Pelicans.
As the playoff race intensifies, the Warriors will need to bounce back quickly to maintain their postseason position, while Denver's victory without Jokic highlights their depth and resilience.
