In his preseason debut, Paul Millsap scored 12 points in the third quarter on four three-point shots in less than three minutes as the Denver Nuggets opened up their preseason slate with a 108-102 win over the Golden State Warriors. The Nuggets’ newest free-agent acquisition finished with 22 points to go alone with his 11 rebounds.
The Nuggets got out to an early 28-21 lead in the first quarter and led for most of the game thereafter. The Warriors tied the game at 67 in the third quarter, but fell back after Millsap’s three-barrage at the tail-end of the third, and the Nuggets never relinquished the lead again.
The defending NBA champion Warriors struggled from downtown; the famed three-point shooters connected on only 4-of-33 attempts. This hampered the Warriors’ offense from the opening tap. The Nuggets’ defense was active and cut off many of the Warriors’ passing lanes in their passing and cutting offense.
The much-anticipated Nikola Jokic and Paul Millsap pairing got off to a sketchy start, as the team tried to find its footing on offense with both in the game. In the second quarter, Jokic began to initiate the offense more, finding cutters, and found more comfort with Millsap on the floor. The off-balance performance is expected; it’s part of the process to blend the two talents together.
Emmanuel Mudiay had nine points and four assists coming off the bench. Jamal Murray contributed nine points and an assist as the starting point guard. Head coach Michael Malone has indicated that Mudiay and Murray will alternate starters’ roles until one takes control of the position.
The Warriors’ Stephen Curry was held to 11 points on 3-of-12 shooting, including only 1-of-7 from beyond the arc.
The Nuggets will play their next preseason game on Monday, taking on the Los Angeles Lakers in Ontario, California.
