Man, what a game! The Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors went head-to-head in a battle that kept everyone hooked till the last buzzer. It wasn’t just a regular match — it was a real grind, with both teams giving it their all. The Nuggets came away with the win, 114 to 105, but it wasn’t a cakewalk. This article breaks down the Denver Nuggets vs Golden State Warriors match player stats, showing you exactly how each player contributed and where the game was won and lost. From shooting to rebounds, and assists to turnovers, we’ll dig into the numbers that tell the full story. So whether you missed the game or just want to know who really stood out, this recap has all you need.
Denver Nuggets vs Golden State Warriors Match Player Stats
Okay, looking at the game overall, both teams had their moments, but Denver just had that little edge. They shot decent percentages and absolutely dominated on the boards, pulling down 53 rebounds — that’s a lot more than Golden State’s 38. What really stood out was the free throws — Nuggets nailed nearly 78% of theirs, while Warriors were kinda off at 55.6%. The Warriors actually had a slightly better overall field goal percentage, hitting 48.8% compared to Denver’s 46.7%. But the Warriors struggled big time from beyond the arc, hitting just 8 threes out of 33 attempts — only 24.2%. Denver was better there, shooting around 36%.
Both teams messed up about the same number of times with 20 turnovers each, so mistakes kinda balanced out. Denver’s extra rebounds and solid free-throw shooting made the difference. On defense, the Warriors had more steals and blocks, but that wasn’t enough to stop Denver’s relentless offense.
Below is a handy table that compares the team stats side by side so you get the full picture.
| Team | FG% | 3P% | FT% | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nuggets | 46.7% | 35.9% | 77.8% | 53 | 32 | 12 | 7 | 20 | 114 |
| Warriors | 48.8% | 24.2% | 55.6% | 38 | 24 | 16 | 10 | 20 | 105 |
Key Players and Standout Performances
Alright, let’s talk about the guys who really made a difference. For Denver, Aaron Gordon was an absolute beast. The dude was on fire, scoring 38 points on some solid shooting — 14 of 23 from the field, and nailed 6 free throws without missing. Plus, he grabbed 6 rebounds and played tough defense with a couple of blocks thrown in. Michael Porter Jr. also had a strong night, putting up 21 points and dishing out 5 assists. You could really see how their presence kept the Nuggets ticking on both ends.
On the Warriors’ side, Stephen Curry did what Curry does — battling despite a rough shooting night from deep, making just 4 of 14 threes but still finishing with 20 points and 7 assists. Gary Payton II showed up big, shooting 80% from the field and adding 18 points with his usual hustle. Draymond Green wasn’t far behind, throwing in 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, plus 5 blocks — the defensive anchor as always.
| Player | Team | MIN | PTS | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Nuggets | ||||||||||||||
| Aaron Gordon | DEN | 37:04 | 38 | 14 | 23 | 60.9% | 4 | 6 | 66.7% | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Michael Porter Jr. | DEN | 40:53 | 21 | 7 | 18 | 38.9% | 3 | 10 | 30.0% | 10 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Russell Westbrook | DEN | 42:12 | 12 | 5 | 18 | 27.8% | 2 | 9 | 22.2% | 12 | 16 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| Golden State Warriors | ||||||||||||||
| Stephen Curry | GSW | 35:44 | 20 | 6 | 21 | 28.6% | 4 | 14 | 28.6% | 4 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 7 |
| Gary Payton II | GSW | 26:23 | 18 | 8 | 10 | 80.0% | 2 | 3 | 66.7% | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Draymond Green | GSW | 32:31 | 10 | 5 | 6 | 83.3% | 0 | 1 | 0.0% | 6 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 4 |
Even though the Warriors had some good individual numbers, Denver’s balanced attack and efficiency gave them the edge.
Final Box Score Table (Full Roster Stats)
When it comes to seeing how everyone chipped in, nothing beats a full box score. The Nuggets leaned on their starters, but the bench stepped up with some gritty minutes too. Gordon and Porter Jr. carried the scoring load, but Westbrook’s 16 assists were the glue. Even Zeke Nnaji made the most of his minutes, grabbing key boards and keeping pressure on the Warriors’ second unit.
On the Warriors’ side, Curry did what he could, but the offense felt too one-dimensional. Draymond Green tried to anchor the defense, but foul trouble cut his momentum. The bench didn’t offer much relief either — Buddy Hield struggled again, and Kuminga never found rhythm. Turnovers and missed chances just piled up late in the game.
Here’s a complete look at both squads, with every stat you need from minutes to shooting splits.
| Player | MIN | PTS | FG | 3P | FT | REB | AST | STL | TO | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Gordon | 37 | 38 | 14-23 | 4-6 | 6-6 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 2 | +13 |
| Michael Porter Jr. | 35 | 21 | 7-18 | 3-10 | 4-4 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 3 | +20 |
| Russell Westbrook | 42 | 12 | 5-18 | 2-9 | 0-0 | 12 | 16 | 3 | 7 | +5 |
| Player | MIN | PTS | FG | 3P | FT | REB | AST | STL | TO | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen Curry | 36 | 20 | 7-19 | 4-14 | 2-2 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 7 | -6 |
| Gary Payton II | 28 | 18 | 8-10 | 2-3 | 0-0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | -4 |
| Draymond Green | 30 | 10 | 4-6 | 0-1 | 2-4 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | -2 |
Tactical Breakdown: What Worked, What Failed
Let’s talk game plans. The Nuggets weren’t flashy, but man, they were effective. Their offense moved the ball clean — almost surgical at times — especially when Westbrook was running point. Denver’s rebounding edge (53 to 38!) gave them way more chances. Second-chance points? Huge. They didn’t panic under pressure, even when Golden State cut it close late.
What didn’t work for the Warriors? Easy: turnovers and missed threes. You shoot 24.2% from deep and expect to win against a team like Denver? Nah. Golden State also fouled too much, giving away easy free points. Draymond picked up early fouls that cooled down his defensive aggression, and without that backbone, the Nuggets just kept attacking the rim.
Denver’s rotations also looked sharper. Their bench didn’t score a ton, but the hustle and pressure they applied defensively kept the Warriors’ second unit cold.
Nuggets controlled the boards, shared the rock, and cashed in free throws. Warriors turned it over, bricked threes, and leaned too much on Curry. That’s the real difference.
Nuggets Bench Impact & Rotation Depth
Man, you gotta give it to the Nuggets’ bench — they really showed up when it counted. While the starters did most of the heavy lifting, the rotation guys brought that energy you need to win gritty games like this one. Zeke Nnaji didn’t get a ton of minutes, but every one of ‘em mattered. He hit the glass hard, got a couple of putbacks, and wasn’t afraid to bang bodies down low.
Čančar came in and gave some decent minutes too. Not flashy or anything, but just solid — didn’t turn the ball over, stuck to his man on defense, and helped keep the ball moving on offense. That’s the thing with this Nuggets team — it’s not just five guys. It’s more like eight or nine deep, and every dude knows his role.
What really stood out was how the coach kept the rotation tight when it mattered, but still trusted the bench in stretches. That trust paid off, especially when the starters needed a breather. It ain’t all about stats — sometimes it’s hustle, court spacing, and keeping things flowing. That’s what Denver’s depth did. Not every team’s got that kind of reliability off the pine.
So yeah, while the box score may not explode with bench numbers, the impact was there in hustle plays, screens, and stops. Nuggets showed they had depth, and it helped seal the deal.
Warriors Defensive Gaps & Curry’s Load
Here’s the problem for Golden State — Steph can’t do everything, man. He was already carrying a big chunk of the offense, and then on top of that, the defense just wasn’t locking in the way it needed to. A lot of broken coverages, guys not rotating fast enough, and way too many second-chance points for Denver.
Draymond Green? Normally a defensive wall, but he got into foul trouble early and it messed with the Warriors’ rhythm. That left the paint a little softer than usual, and the Nuggets weren’t shy about taking advantage. And Buddy Hield? Not his night. Missed rotations, slow closeouts — just not what you wanna see when you’re already getting pounded on the boards.
The defensive rotations looked off, too. The guys were chasing the ball instead of sticking to their assignments. Denver’s spacing exposed it hard. They kept swinging the ball, finding the open shooter or cutter. No panic. Just a smart ball. Meanwhile, the Warriors were scrambling, looking a step behind most of the time.
And when that happens? It puts even more weight on Steph to make magic happen on offense — and he did what he could, but the man’s human. Without consistent help behind him, the load was just too heavy. Warriors gotta tighten up that defense if they wanna bounce back from this one. They’ve got the talent, but the execution? Just wasn’t there tonight.
Momentum Shifts & Turning Points
Games like this ain’t just about stats — it’s about moments. The little bursts that swing the energy, wake up the crowd, or straight up crush the other team’s vibe. And in this one, the momentum shifts hit hard.
First big one? End of the 2nd quarter. Denver went on a mini 8–0 run sparked by a Westbrook steal and a dish to Gordon for a slam. That stretch right before halftime gave the Nuggets a mental edge. Instead of going into the locker room tied or down a bucket, they were up and feelin’ themselves.
Third quarter? Golden State came out swinging. Curry finally caught fire, knocked down two deep threes, and all of a sudden it was a 5-point game. But that was the trap — Denver didn’t blink. Porter Jr. hit a dagger mid-range shot, and then Čančar nailed a rare corner three that basically quieted the Warriors’ surge.
The biggest turning point, though? Midway through the fourth. The Warriors had it within six. Curry drove, missed a layup, and the Nuggets turned it into a transition dunk on the other end. Boom — 4-point swing. The crowd lit up. The Warriors never really got closer after that. Momentum’s a real thing, and Denver snatched it when it counted.
Fan & Analyst Reactions
Man, the buzz after this one? Wild. Twitter/X blew up — Nuggets fans praising the team’s grit, the bench hustle, and Westbrook’s assist count (folks were like “16 dimes?? Is this 2017 again?!”). Even some casual fans were showing love for Gordon’s monster night. Dude’s name was trending for a minute.
One analyst on ESPN said it best: “This wasn’t Denver’s cleanest game, but it showed their maturity. They bend but don’t break.” Another mentioned how Denver’s ball movement reminded him of the old Spurs — high praise right there.
Warriors fans? Mixed bag. Some calling out the poor 3-point shooting, others are asking what’s going on with Draymond. A few said, “If Steph has to carry this much weight, we’re in trouble.” Which, honestly, isn’t wrong.
Overall, fans felt the intensity. This wasn’t some regular blowout — it was a slugfest, and both teams had their moments. But the smarter, deeper squad won, and everyone saw it.
This wasn’t the first time the Nuggets have shown up big in a high-stakes game. They had another standout performance recently against OKC, where they dominated on both ends of the floor. If you missed that breakdown, check out our full recap of the Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets match player stats for more insights into Denver’s rising form.
Final Thoughts & Next Game Outlook
Alright, so where does this leave us?
For the Nuggets, this was more than just another win. It’s a confidence booster. Shows they’ve got depth, composure, and a game plan that works. Gordon is looking like a star, Westbrook is finding his rhythm, and the role players are stepping up — that’s the kind of formula that fuels a playoff push.
As for Golden State, it’s a gut check. They’ve got talent, no doubt. But if the defense doesn’t tighten up, and the bench keeps underperforming, it’s gonna be a rocky road. There’s still time to bounce back, and knowing the Warriors, they’ll regroup. But man, they better fix that 3-point slump and clean up the turnovers quick.
Next matchup? If these two meet again, expect fireworks. This ain’t over — it’s just heating up.
Henry Philip is the Lead Publisher at VCEMagazine.com, where he delivers in-depth coverage of the sports world — from player stats and game analytics to financial profiles of elite athletes. With a background in sports journalism and data analysis, Henry tracks performance trends and off-field ventures across major leagues like MLB, NFL, NBA, and international football.
Over the years, he has profiled top stars, broken down match-day metrics, and analyzed how athletes build wealth through contracts, sponsorships, and business ventures. His work bridges the gap between on-field performance and off-field financial strategy, helping fans understand the full picture of sports success.
Whether writing about a quarterback’s clutch stats or a baseball legend’s business empire, Henry’s focus is on accuracy, insight, and trusted storytelling.