A release of Nikola Jokic almost from the middle of the field and at the final buzzer gave definitive shape to a remarkable comeback of Denver Nuggetscurrent NBA champion, who on Thursday destroyed an 18-point deficit in the last seven minutes of play and defeated 130-127 Golden State Warriors.
After a timeout that the Nuggets coach, Michael Malonerequested when only 3.6 seconds remained and the duel was tied at 127, Jokic received the ball in Denver’s field, crossed the court diagonally paired with Kevon Looney and, urged by the sideline, by the clock and by his score, He sent a very high shot that, after hitting the backboard, went through the home hoop and the hearts of the Warriors fans.
“It was a very good comeback for us. “This is one of the best descriptions of our team: we never give up,” Jokic said after the match. “Great players make great plays. Nikola grabbing the ball there and making something happen from that moment is simply incredible,” Malone said after his men went on a 25-4 run in the final stretch of the game.
Jokic was one step away from the triple-double with 34 points (he made 13 of his 16 field goals), 9 rebounds and 10 assists. The Serbian was well supported by Aaron Gordon, fundamental in the last quarter, who contributed 30 points and 9 rebounds, while Jamal Murray added 25 points and 6 assists.
The Nuggets, who have a record of 25 wins and 11 losses, have won six consecutive games away from their stadium and, after enduring a devastating 44-24 partial in the third quarter, reacted with enormous defense in the final period and a 36 -20 to certify the victory.
“You have to give them credit because they toughened their defense. I’m sorry for my guys, it’s a really tough loss,” acknowledged Steve Kerr, coach of the Warriors, who have a 16-18 record and have accumulated six straight losses to the Nuggets in the regular season.
The Warriors started the game very well, with excellent ball circulation, a quick 10-point lead and the feeling that their offense was flowing easily. But Jokic also started plugged in. The Serbian giant scored 15 points in a brilliant opening quarter, going 7 of 8 from the field, and the Nuggets closed the period up 34-33.
In a match that continued in a plane of attack against attack, the Nuggets began to build a light with the great work of Jokic, but also with the aim of Murray (13 points in the second quarter) and Gordon. The Californians responded with three triples from Thompson, which prevented the Nuggets from amassing too large a lead at halftime (70-63) despite their superb 61.7% shooting from the field in the first half.
After returning from the locker room, Jokic extended the lead to 10 with a three-pointer, but the Warriors also showed character in the restart and got closer, with intensity and concentration, until taking the lead with a basket after an offensive rebound by Andrew Wiggins. Curry extended the home advantage shortly after with a trademark three-pointer (94-88 with 4.12 left).
With a weak defense, the Nuggets could not alter the rhythm of Golden State, which accelerated in that third quarter with an overwhelming 44-24. Curry added 10 points in that period, although the surprise guest of the San Francisco team was Brandin Podziemski, with three triples that drove the crowd crazy.
The locals started the last quarter with a lead of 13 points (107-94) and it seemed that the duel was resolved when Curry scored 5 points in a row and Podziemski stole a ball and sealed a basket to bring the distance to 18 with 7.24 remaining for the game. final (121-103). But at that moment the Warriors’ fuel ran out.
With Denver pushing much harder on defense, Gordon showed enormous physical superiority in the painted zone (15 points in the fourth quarter), Peyton Watson also collaborated and Jokic began to prepare something very special for the final stretch. The center served a alley-oop for Gordon who left his team only 2 points and Chris Paul missed a three-pointer in the middle of an absolutely deserted Warriors offense.
Jokic tied the game with 26 seconds left and Curry made a passing error on the final play, which paved the way for the Balkan giant to touch the NBA sky with a memorable three-pointer.
2024-01-05 14:38:20
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