The Warriors had each excuse to be run out of the health club Monday evening, however remarkably saved tempo with the host Denver Nuggets many of the evening.
In the long run, even a 30-point effort from 19-year-old rookie Moses Moody wasn’t sufficient in a 131-124 loss to the Nuggets.
The loss, the Warriors’ ninth, in 11 video games, dropped their file to 43-22 and the No. 3 spot within the Western Convention. Denver, streaking within the different route, wins for the tenth time in 11 video games and is 39-26 and is No. 6.
Jordan Poole led the Warriors with 32 factors, with Moody scoring essentially the most factors in franchise historical past for a young person and Jonathan Kuminga, one other 19-year-old, including 16.
Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 32 factors, 14 rebounds and 13 assists. Jeff Inexperienced had 18 factors and Davon Inexperienced 17 for Denver.
The Warriors suited up solely 9 gamers, going to Denver and its mile excessive altitude with out Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Gary Payton II. Then earlier than recreation time, coach Steve Kerr mentioned Otto Porter Jr. had taken unwell and wouldn’t play both.
That left the Warriors with a beginning lineup of Poole, Moody, Kevan Looney, Juan Toscano-Anderson and Damion Lee with Kuminga, Chris Chiozza and Nemanja Bjelica in reserve.
The third quarter discovered the Warriors down simply 104-101 regardless of a 25-7 run by Denver which appeared to place the sport beneath its management. Down 102-88, the Warriors closed out the quarter with a 13-2 run.
At halftime, Denver was capturing 62 % however the Warriors performed so nicely offensively they trailed solely 71-69. The Warriors hit 11 of 21 3-point pictures.
Moody had 22 factors at halftime, with Kuminga scoring 12 and Poole 11.
For Denver, Jokic had 14 factors, eight rebounds and 7 assists whereas taking solely eight pictures. Davon Reed additionally had 14 for the Nuggets.
The Warriors performed nicely on the outset and had been tied 20-20 with 4:57 left within the first quarter, however Denver started attending to the rim straightforward and infrequently. By the point the quarter was over, the Warriors trailed 40-31 and 9 totally different Nuggets had scored. Moody led the Warriors with 15 first-quarter factors together with 4 of 6 on 3-pointers.