With under seven minutes remaining in the contest, the Golden State Warriors looked to be in cruise control with an 18-point lead over the Denver Nuggets. Yet, it wasn’t enough against the defending champs.
As the Warriors went cold offensively, the Nuggets came alive down the stretch. The Nuggets finished the game on a 25-4 run in the final 6:34 of the game to not only tie the game, but put the ball in the hands of Nikola Jokic with a chance to win the game.
Following a costly turnover from Steph Curry with the game locked at 127, Jokic hoisted a shot from 40-feet that rattled through the basket as time expired to give the Nuggets a buzzer-beating victory at Chase Center.
Jokic finished with a near triple-double with 34 points on 13-of-16 shooting from the field to go along with 10 assists and nine rebounds in 38 minutes. Aaron Gordon added 30 points of his own in Denver’s 130-127 comeback win in San Francisco.
Curry led the Warriors with 30 points on 11-of-23 shooting from the field in 35 minutes. Brandon Podziemski, Andrew Wiggins and Dario Saric all added double-figure scoring numbers off the bench.
Jonathan Kuminga tallied 16 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field with four rebounds and four assists in 19 minutes. However, the young Golden State forward did not play in the final 18 minutes of the game, including all of the fourth quarter.
Following another collapse from the Warriors, the NBA community on Twitter exploded with reactions. Here’s a look at what fans and analysts were saying on social media on Thursday night.
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Warriors got anything they wanted for three quarters and then the offense disappeared.
20 points in the fourth quarter after 107 through three quarters
— Marcus Thompson II (@ThompsonScribe) January 5, 2024
warriors so washed man, i am desperately screaming for a change
— Chris Montano (@gswchris) January 5, 2024
What a shot by Jokic. Nuggets win 130-127. Denver outscored 25-4 in the final 6:45 of the game, including a 13-0 run.
Jokic: 34 pts on 13-of-16 FG
Gordon: 30 pts on 11-of-17 FG
Curry: 39 pts, 5 3’s
Thompson: 24 pts— Kendra Andrews (@kendra__andrews) January 5, 2024
Nuggets closed the game on 25-4 run in final 6:34, punctuated by that Nikola Jokic 35-foot buzzer beater. The latest late-game devastation for the Warriors this season. They've given games away in final minute to the Kings, Thunder twice, Clippers and now Nuggets. Record: 16-18.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 5, 2024
Jokić called game
— Marcus Thompson II (@ThompsonScribe) January 5, 2024
Seen this episode way too many times already this season.
— Tommy Call III (@tommy_III) January 5, 2024
Jonathan Kuminga’s +6 led the Warriors
His 16 points were third on the team
His four rebounds were second on the team
His four assists were third on the teamKuminga didn’t play after making a three-point play with 6 minutes left in the 3rd quarter and came out at the 5:48 mark
— Dalton Johnson (@DaltonJ_Johnson) January 5, 2024
This was Kuminga last play then he got subbed out 10 seconds later lmao https://t.co/dgFJo94o79
— Alex 👋 (@Dubs408) January 5, 2024
If I'm @JonathanKuming6 @mosesmoody I'm demanding a trade immediately, I wouldn't even be mad at them. To see them get wasted away and not being allowed to develop and when PLAYING WELL get sent to the bench not to return, it's an absolute joke. Lottery picks but treated like UFA
— Ryan Fritzberg (@Ryan_TheMayor23) January 5, 2024
Worst coach in the league at handling/playing young players.. and they gave him 3 Lotto Picks
Fun
— warriorsworld (@warriorsworld) January 5, 2024
What. Just. Happened……….. pic.twitter.com/4KKkknkMLR
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) January 5, 2024
How Jokic looking at the Warriors dynasty pic.twitter.com/mtOXAjaNIc
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) January 5, 2024
Seen this same exact loss a few years ago when Monte Morris hit the game winner at the buzzer
— warriorsworld (@warriorsworld) January 5, 2024
You scored 127 in a game, was up nearly what 20?
Kerr decided, we need more offense. Forfeited the interior and perimeter defense with a lineup that’s never played together.
Blows the lead. This is insane. A consistent trend since last year. Somebody gotta go.
— 𝐋• (@clarkkent415) January 5, 2024
for a brief moment in time, he found out how it feels. pic.twitter.com/abohopnyF3
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) January 5, 2024
Don’t think Steve helps at all anymore. He’s actively hurting the team. I know Steph wants him coaching this team but that’s just because of familiarity. I really do think a change will be good for everyone
— Acumen LFC (@lfcacumen) January 5, 2024
Every time I think this team can’t surprise with a new way to lose, they prove me wrong.
— Warriors Huddle (@WarriorsHuddle) January 5, 2024
Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson were terrific tonight from 3-point line as combo … 9-for-22 (41 percent). Then you start to think about how that's a below average game for them six years ago.
— Matt Steinmetz (@SteinmetzNBA) January 5, 2024
