The Denver Nuggets finished NBA Cup play tonight with no hope of advancing to the knockout rounds. Aside from the bright yellow field, it was just a normal regular-season game against the Golden State Warriors, who were already in first place in Group C. To no one’s surprise, Nikola Jokic and Steph Curry led their respective teams in a game that wasn’t all that great and went back and forth the entire time. Ultimately, it was the good guys who had the final run and secured victory. Denver takes a hard-fought W 119-115

Denver scored a few points early through Jamal Murray and had a small lead. Aaron Gordon was also hot from the three-point line, but the Warriors got easy shots and some open threes as well. After Jonathan Kuminga hit a three-pointer to give the Warriors the lead, Michael Malone called a timeout. Gordon’s outside shooting kept Denver in the game while the Warriors continued to grab all the offensive rebounds and protect a small lead. The Nuggets’ defense got tougher, which led to a run late in the quarter. A three-pointer from Peyton Watson put them back in front with three minutes left. Jokic got an early strike and Malone brought in Zeke Nnaji to end the first. Russell Westbrook carried the scoring load for the bench. After one game, the Nuggets led 33-31.

Adjustments in the air 🫡 pic.twitter.com/Oi6IyOD1mI

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) December 4, 2024

Curry was eager to open the second. After a few Nuggets shots, he led a 12-2 run for Golden State, reclaiming the lead and bringing Jokic off the bench. “It looked like the Warriors back in the day when the ball was whizzing down the field and each player took turns hitting the open shot.” ​​They maintained their lead through the tough quarter and the lead was double digits. Jokic calmed things down as the quarter progressed. He led 12-0 and with just under a minute to go everything was tied. Jokic traded three-pointers with Wiggins and the score remained tied at 57 at the half of the game.

🎯 pic.twitter.com/xBQrB2qfCv

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) December 4, 2024

The Nuggets were aggressive early in the second half, highlighted by Murray opening with a huge dunk. Denver also drew a lot of fouls early on. They had a small lead, but the Warriors kept it close. Jokic went cold off the floor, which stalled Denver’s offense a bit. The Nuggets got caught in the paint, which paid off in keeping them on top, at least for a short time. The Warriors responded again, while Denver got sloppy again and Golden State tied the game halfway through the quarter. The game continued to go back and forth, with the Nuggets forcing turnovers to easily score points. Every time the Nuggets ran, the Warriors seemed to have an answer. Back-to-back three-pointers by Golden State cut Denver’s lead to just two with less than two minutes left in the third period. Jokic carried the Nuggets in the final minutes and after three minutes they led 91-85.

OK JAMAL 🗣 pic.twitter.com/lMxfqJN6PI

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) December 4, 2024

Nikola started the fourth period on the bench and Westbrook didn’t have the same talent he had in the first half to lead the Nuggets on offense. While Denver struggled to score, the Warriors made a run and took the lead back. A massive dunk from Jackson Davis brought them within four and forced a timeout from Malone. Jokic came back, but the Warriors had full momentum and continued to extend their lead. Shortly before halftime of the fourth round it reached double figures. The Nuggets stopped the bleeding there and reduced the lead back to five through undecided fouls, often of the “and-one” variety. Jokic continued to be Denver’s driving force, while on the other side it was all about Curry and the game was coming to an end. Golden State faltered on offense and Denver came back to equalize with less than two minutes left. Nikola didn’t let himself be turned away. He hit a mid-range jumper, blocked a shot from Kuminga and drew a foul to end the game at the free throw line. Denver wins a rollercoaster ride 119-115.

Joker finds AG for the jam 💥 pic.twitter.com/5kUWEk9JAJ

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) December 4, 2024

Best matchup: Jokic vs. Curry

Steph and Nikola didn’t actually assign each other defensive players, but it was definitely a duel between superstars. Every time one of them led their team to run, the other responded. In the end, Nikola had the last chance to seal the deal, but it didn’t happen without Curry’s input. He didn’t end up having the best shooting night, but that was because he had no one else to turn to to score. Steph still ended up with twenty-four points and eleven assists. Meanwhile, Nikola filled up the stat sheet, was absolutely dominant and wanted to bring his team to victory. He scored thirty-eight points, grabbed ten rebounds, provided six assists and had five steals.

It took a team effort, but there is more that can be done

Porter Jr. ranks second on the team in scoring and had some good moments on offense, but he needed all of the starters tonight. No one was spectacular, and some players had, you might even say, struggled, but it’s a testament to Denver’s starters that they can all score in double figures even when they’re not having their best night. As long as you get an MVP night from Jokic, which seems to happen every night no matter what happens now, then that’s enough to get you a win at home. Not exactly confidence-inspiring or lasting, but a win is a win.