Warriors Stun Nuggets Despite Missing Four Star Players
San Francisco, 23 February 2026
Golden State secured a remarkable 128-117 victory over Denver on 22nd February, playing without Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Kristaps Porziņģis, and Jimmy Butler III. Moses Moody led with 23 points whilst Al Horford contributed 22 points on exceptional 6-of-7 three-point shooting. Despite Nikola Jokić’s triple-double of 35 points, 20 rebounds, and 12 assists, the shorthanded Warriors dominated through superior three-point shooting, making 21 of 52 attempts compared to Denver’s 8 of 31. Brandin Podziemski sealed the victory with 12 fourth-quarter points, finishing with 18 points, 15 rebounds, and nine assists. The win improved Golden State to 30-27.
Depth Players Rise to the Challenge
The Warriors’ victory showcased the depth of their roster, with several players stepping into expanded roles due to the significant absences [1]. Kristaps Porziņģis was ruled out hours before the match due to illness, whilst Draymond Green was scratched minutes before tip-off with a lower back injury [1]. Stephen Curry remained sidelined for his seventh consecutive game with a knee injury, and Jimmy Butler III was unavailable due to a torn right ACL [2]. This forced head coach Steve Kerr to deploy an unconventional starting five featuring Pat Spencer, De’Anthony Melton, Moses Moody, Gui Santos, and Al Horford [1]. The makeshift lineup responded magnificently, with the Warriors jumping out to a commanding 39-27 lead after the first quarter, shooting an impressive 0.474 from three-point range [1].
Horford and Moody Set Early Tone
Al Horford established the Warriors’ attacking intent from the opening minutes, contributing 11 points in the first quarter alone with a pair of early three-pointers [1][2]. His hot shooting continued throughout the match, as he finished with 22 points on exceptional 0.727 field goal shooting, including a remarkable 0.857 from beyond the arc [2][3]. Moses Moody complemented Horford’s efforts with eight first-quarter points and maintained his aggressive approach, ultimately leading all scorers with 23 points on efficient 0.563 shooting, adding seven rebounds and five assists [2][3]. The duo’s early offensive explosion helped the Warriors establish control against a Denver side that entered the contest with a strong 36-21 record [1].
Jokić’s Brilliance Not Enough for Denver
Despite the defeat, Nikola Jokić delivered another masterful performance, registering his fifth triple-double in seven games with 35 points, 20 rebounds, and 12 assists [2][3]. The Serbian centre’s dominance was evident from the opening minutes, as he assisted on all six of the Nuggets’ field goals in the first five minutes of the match [1]. His 183rd career triple-double and 19th of the season highlighted his continued excellence, but the supporting cast struggled to match his output [2]. Jamal Murray contributed 21 points whilst Christian Braun added 18, but the Nuggets’ inability to match Golden State’s three-point shooting proved decisive [2][3]. Denver managed just 0.258 attempts from beyond the arc, a stark contrast to the Warriors’ prolific 0.404 performance [3].
Podziemski Seals Victory in Clutch Moments
Brandin Podziemski emerged as the hero in the final stages, scoring 12 of his 18 points in the last five minutes of the fourth quarter to secure the victory [2]. His clutch performance included a pair of three-pointers and a crucial put-back during Golden State’s decisive 19-8 closing run [2]. Podziemski’s all-around contribution was exemplary, as he finished with 18 points on 0.438 shooting, whilst adding 15 rebounds and nine assists [2][3]. De’Anthony Melton provided additional scoring support with 20 points, though his 0.389 shooting from the field reflected some of the offensive struggles the Warriors overcame [2][3]. The victory improved Golden State’s record to 30-27, whilst Denver fell to 36-22, with both teams preparing for upcoming fixtures as the Warriors face the New Orleans Pelicans on 24th February and the Memphis Grizzlies on 25th February [1][3].