Gordon, Westbrook rise as Nuggets stun red-hot Warriors without Jokic, Murray
Aaron Gordon scored a season-high 38 points, Russell Westbrook recorded a triple-double and the Denver Nuggets, playing without Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, stunned the Golden State Warriors 114-105 in San Francisco on Monday (Tuesday, March 18, Manila time).
With Jokic nursing a sore elbow and ankle and Murray dealing with a sprained right ankle, the Nuggets rode Gordon, Westbrook and a double-double from Michael Porter Jr. to their second straight win over the Warriors this season and ninth in a row dating back to 2022.
Jimmy Butler III had 23 points and Stephen Curry 20 for the Warriors, who saw a seven-game winning streak come to an end.
The Warriors, who had won the first four games of a seven-game homestand, rallied from 15 down to get within 97-94 with 6:48 to go.
But as was the case all night, Gordon, a former high school star in San Jose, had an answer for the visitors, drilling a step-back jumper to trigger a six-point run. He also completed the key spurt with a follow shot, creating a nine-point margin, and the Warriors never seriously challenged again.
Gordon’s 38 points were seven more than his previous high this season and three fewer than his career high set he was a member of the Orlando Magic in 2017.
He made 14 of his 23 shots and 4 of 6 from deep while also finding time for six rebounds, five on the offensive end. He also committed seven of the Nuggets’ 22 turnovers.
Westbrook, the NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles, secured his 203rd by adding 12 points, 11 rebounds and 16 assists. He also contributed three steals and two blocks to the win.
Porter chipped with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while teammate Peyton Watson added 13 points.
Butler posted eight rebounds, six assists and two steals, while Curry, who went 4-for-14 on 3-point attempts, logged seven assists and three steals. He also had seven of Golden State’s 20 turnovers.
Gary Payton II added 18 points for Golden State, while Jonathan Kuminga had 13 and Draymond Green 10 to go with six rebounds, five assists, three steals and five blocks. – Rappler.com