UPDATE: In a thrilling overtime showdown, the Golden State Warriors defeated the Denver Nuggets 137-131 at Chase Center on October 26, 2023. The game featured a stunning performance from Aaron Gordon, who scored a career-high 50 points, yet it was Stephen Curry who stole the spotlight with a clutch three-pointer and a dominant overtime display.
With just 26 seconds remaining in regulation, Gordon sank his tenth three-pointer, putting the Nuggets up by three points. However, Curry responded with a jaw-dropping 34-footer to tie the game just five seconds later. “The bigger the moment, the more he rises,” said Draymond Green, emphasizing Curry’s ability to deliver in high-pressure situations.
The Warriors overcame a seven-point deficit in the final minutes of regulation, showcasing their resilience. Curry’s 42 points, including key free throws in overtime, helped secure the win. His performance marked the second-highest scoring in his home opener over his career, shooting 14-of-25 from the field and nailing six 3-pointers.
Gordon’s night was remarkable; he shot 17-of-21 overall and 10-of-11 from beyond the arc, making eight consecutive threes to start the game—just one shy of the NBA record. “Ridiculous,” Curry remarked about Gordon’s performance. Despite the loss, Gordon became only the 17th player in history to hit 10 threes in a game and lose, a feat that Curry has achieved seven times.
In a strategic shift, Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr implemented a larger lineup late in the game, featuring Curry, Jimmy Butler, Jonathan Kuminga, Green, and newly acquired Al Horford. This unconventional grouping, suggested by assistant coaches Terry Stotts and Chris DeMarco, effectively matched up against the Nuggets’ size and proved pivotal in the final moments.
“It was really fun to watch a group that’s never played together close a game against one of the best teams in the league,” Kerr stated.
The win propels the Warriors to 2-0 as they begin to establish themselves as legitimate contenders in the Western Conference. The Nuggets, now 0-1, will head back home to face the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night.
As fans reflect on this electrifying contest, the spotlight is on both teams as they prepare for their next challenges. Stay tuned for more updates as the NBA season heats up.
