Steph Curry literally cannot miss against Nuggets as Warriors finally win

Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News on Oct 27, 2026

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DENVER – Steph Curry might be 38 years old with 36,355 regular season minutes loaded onto a creaky right knee. The future hall of famer may no longer move with the effortless burst he did during his MVP days. The roster around him is no longer awe-inspiring.

But with the Warriors sputtering to start the year, he still had the sort of unreplicable magic needed to spark a much-needed win.

Golden State was 0-3, coming off losses to the Lakers, Grizzlies and Suns. Curry had rested against Phoenix on Saturday. Rather than come out gunning against the Nuggets a Ball Arena on Monday night, Curry went with a judicious approach to shot-taking. He did not register a single attempt in the first quarter, logging eight minutes and dishing out two assists. He finished the first half with only one made 3-pointer on his stat-line.

With their lead only four to start the third quarter, Curry turned it up and secured the Warriors’ first victory of the season by downing the hosts 134-114.

He connected on all six of his shots, including two triples and a preposterous floater to finish the third quarter 7-of-7. Curry made all eight of his field goals attempts.

When Curry went to the bench, rookie Yaxel Lendeborg took over. He recently bemoaned the fact that he did not know all of the tricks needed to draw fouls.

It turned out that bludgeoning his way to the rim was an effective way to get to the line. He shot 13 free throws, the most since Curry in 2010, and scored 31 points. He only made one 3-pointer, instead making eight field goals in the paint, including an impressive layup after splitting the double-team as a pick-and-roll ballhandler.

The Warriors ran their offense through Lendeborg in the fourth quarter and he delivered, allowing the Warriors to rest Curry for much of the final period.

Curry finished with 24 points, while Draymond Green had seven assists. Brandin Podziemski scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Georges Niang made 3 of 7 3-pointers after missing his first 12 to begin the season.

The Warriors were able to keep pace with an uptempo Nuggets squad even when MVP candidate Nikola Jokic was in the game. The star center was minus-1 in 18 first half minutes. Draymond Green took on the primary assignment of guarding Jokic and turned each post-up into a wrestling match.

Jokic finished with 19 points and 11 assists.

The Warriors led 60-56 at halftime. The Warriors jumped out to an 80–65 lead to begin the third quarter, thanks in large part to 12 offensive rebounds.

Archbishop Mitty alum Aaron Gordon was ejected in the fourth quarter after arguing calls.

Golden State (1-3) will travel to Minneapolis on Wednesday.

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