OAKLAND, Calif – Steph Curry had 20 points and Klay Thompson had 22 as the Golden State Warriors cruised to an easy 122-79 victory over the Denver Nuggets Monday afternoon.
The Nuggets never had a chance in this one. The NBA-best Warriors (33-6) outscored Denver 25-15 in the first quarter and extended their lead to 27 points by halftime. Golden State’s biggest blowout win of the season allowed head coach Steve Kerr to sit most of his starters early in the third quarter.
Still, there was no fight left in the Nuggets by that point. The Nuggets were out-rebounded (53-39), out-shot (55 percent to 35 percent), and just plain out-hustled. With 19 points, Ty Lawson and newcomer Jameer Nelson – who finished with 14 – were the only players in double-figures for Denver.
The loss was easily the worst the Nuggets have suffered all season and leaves Denver with a record of 18-23 heading into Tuesday night’s game against the San Antonio Spurs in Denver. Golden State is looking more and more like a truly great team, and there’s no shame in losing to the best squad in the NBA.
But losing is one thing – getting embarrassed is another. Hopefully that loss ticks the Nuggets off and they have a much better effort on their home court against the defending champions on Tuesday. Playing at home should help. It better, because it doesn’t look like this group can suffer any more losses like that and stay together.