In a thrilling showdown against the Denver Nuggets, the Golden State Warriors showcased their offensive prowess, even without key players like Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Kristaps Porzingis. Veteran Al Horford led the charge, helping the Warriors surge to an early 12-point lead in the first quarter.
Horford was on fire, sinking five of his six attempts from beyond the arc and finishing the first half with 17 points. His stellar performance set the tone as the Warriors poured in 76 points by halftime. Moses Moody contributed significantly, adding 15 points on an efficient 6-of-9 shooting, while Gui Santos and De'Anthony Melton also hit double figures, fueling the Warriors' nine-point halftime advantage with 15 three-pointers.
However, the third quarter saw a dramatic shift. The Warriors' shooting went ice-cold, managing only 29.7% from the field and missing all 13 three-point attempts. This opened the door for the Nuggets, who capitalized on the opportunity to swing the game in their favor, taking a six-point lead into the final quarter.
Enter Brandin Podziemski. With the Warriors trailing, Podziemski delivered a clutch performance, scoring 15 points on a flawless 6-of-6 shooting, including two pivotal three-pointers. His energy on the boards was equally impressive, grabbing eight rebounds in the fourth quarter alone.
Podziemski's heroics ignited a 20-2 run, flipping the script and giving the Warriors a commanding 13-point lead down the stretch. The Warriors outscored the Nuggets 33-16 in the final quarter, sealing a remarkable comeback victory with a 128-117 win.
Horford wrapped up the game with a season-high 22 points, shooting 8-of-11 from the field and hitting six threes. Moody led the team with 23 points, while Melton added 20 points in just 25 minutes of play. Podziemski’s near triple-double off the bench, with 18 points, 15 rebounds, and nine assists, was instrumental in the win.
This victory propels the Warriors to a 30-27 record for the season. They'll enjoy a well-deserved day off before embarking on a two-game road back-to-back starting Tuesday.