The Golden State Warriors fumbled the bag on Monday, losing 114-105 at home to a Denver Nuggets team that was without Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, and Christian Braun. It was an ugly loss, and it came with an opportunity knocking, as both the Minnesota Timberwolves and Memphis Grizzlies lost.
Alas. Jimmy Butler III’s second loss since donning a Dubs jersey was bound to happen eventually, I just didn’t think this would be the game.
Needless to say, the disappointing contest was a hot topic at Golden State of Mind. So here’s a look back on the game’s action, as seen through live reactions from the fanbase in our game thread.
Pre-game: “Warriors favored by 10 now”
Jokić, Murray, and Braun were listed as questionable before the game, but so was Steph Curry. Once it was announced that the Nuggets trio of starters would sit, while Curry would lace up his sneakers, optimism abounded.
First quarter: “Very sloppy”
While the other important games in the standings got underway, the Warriors got off to a bad start. Denver was outhustling Golden State, and the Dubs simply couldn’t buy a bucket. They trailed 29-22 after the first quarter, and were officially on alert.
Second quarter: “Painful to watch”
Things didn’t get better in the second quarter. The Warriors couldn’t find anything on offense, and would go to the locker room trailing 62-50, and looking like they’d never shot a jumper before.
Third quarter: “Sloppy, sloppy, ugly, ugly”
Hopes for the third quarter Warriors were quickly dashed. They had more energy to start the second half, but it wasn’t accomplishing much. The Warriors were getting sloppy, and Curry was having an awful game. Butler started to work some magic, but the Warriors simply couldn’t find a rhythm or get out of their way. After three quarters, they trailed 89-77 and had shot just 5-for-25 from distance.
Fourth quarter: “Can’t believe I’m up late for this”
The Dubs finally had a run in the fourth quarter. Fueled by Butler, Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga, and Gary Payton II, the Warriors grabbed some momentum and got the game within striking distance. But Denver reclaimed the flow, and victory fell out of sight with every missed Curry shot and poor Curry turnover. Only a very late three by Moses Moody kept the Warriors from losing by double digits.
Post-game: “Still believe though”
The Warriors have only lost twice since the All-Star break, and both times have been about as ugly as imaginable. It happens sometimes. Hopefully they bounce back on Tuesday against the Milwaukee Bucks.
