Almost every Nuggets game follows the same grueling schedule to some point.

Questionable effort on defense in the first half. A teaspoon of Nikola Jokic minutes of rest, which in the best case scenario causes stomach problems. A deficit of 12 points (maybe 14 or 15) late in the second quarter or early in the third. An energetic run and a feeling of revitalization.

After that, the result of this team is unclear.

It was a thrilling 119-115 win over Golden State on Tuesday night at Ball Arena. The Nuggets (11-8) didn’t give up a point in the final 2:32 and ended the night with a 10-0 run. Steph Curry led the Warriors with 24 points, but shot 8-for-23 from the field and 4-for-15 from beyond the arc. Jokic posted 38 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and two crucial free throws to rue his and the team’s recent struggles.

Denver trailed 109-98 with 6:13 left, but got a spark from Michael Porter Jr.’s four-point game, scoring just three in a 22-point night. Jokic scored on a rebound with 1:17 left to tie the score at 115, Aaron Gordon hit two foul shots to take the lead with 49 seconds left, and Russell Westbrook threw himself after a loose ball to force a game-saving turnover was substituted in his defense.

Although the field was painted an unsightly shade of yellow to celebrate the NBA Cup event, Denver was officially eliminated from the group stage of the season’s tournament at halftime due to other results in the league. Golden State had already secured its spot in the eight-team knockout round before the opening tip.

This was more about the morale of the Nuggets. Losers of two of their last three and three of their last five games, they have endured their own dramatic swings in performance and execution. Their defense has been the worst in the league over the last five games.

“I always thought our team was different than a lot of things because I felt like we played for each other,” coach Michael Malone said during his pregame press conference. “And lately I feel like we’re playing with each other.”