Curry's Fourth-Quarter Masterclass Seals Game 3
Look, we all knew this series between the Warriors and Nuggets was going to be a slugfest. Game 3 on Tuesday night proved it, with Golden State pulling out a 112-109 victory at home. It was a tight one, a real nail-biter that came down to the final possessions, and once again, Stephen Curry delivered when it mattered most. He finished with 38 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, silencing the Denver faithful.
The turning point, without question, was midway through the fourth. The Nuggets had clawed back from an 11-point deficit to take a 100-98 lead with just over five minutes left after Nikola Jokic hit a tough fadeaway. That's when Curry just took over. He hit a step-back three over Aaron Gordon, then blew past Jamal Murray for a layup, followed by another deep triple that put the Warriors up 106-102. It was vintage stuff, the kind of individual brilliance that only a handful of players in league history can consistently produce.
Draymond Green's defense on Jokic in those final minutes was also huge. He didn't always stop the big man, who still put up 35 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists, but Green made him work for every single bucket. That physical toll seemed to impact Jokic's decision-making on a couple of key possessions late in the game, leading to two crucial turnovers in the last 90 seconds.
Tactical Adjustments and What They Meant
Steve Kerr made a couple of subtle but impactful adjustments coming into Game 3. For one, he started Kevon Looney over Jonathan Kuminga, looking for more defensive stability and rebounding against Jokic. Looney played 28 minutes, grabbed 11 boards, and provided some much-needed interior presence, allowing Green to roam a bit more and disrupt passing lanes. Kuminga still got his minutes, coming off the bench to score 14 points, but the initial alignment seemed to settle the Warriors.
On the Nuggets' side, coach Michael Malone really leaned into the two-man game between Jokic and Murray. Murray had 27 points and 8 assists, often creating off high pick-and-rolls with Jokic. They tried to exploit the Warriors' switching defense, forcing mismatches and getting open looks. For a good stretch in the third quarter, it worked like a charm, as Denver cut a 15-point lead down to five, largely on the back of Murray's mid-range jumpers.
But here's the thing: the Nuggets still struggle to generate consistent offense when Jokic is off the floor or when he's being double-teamed aggressively. Their bench contributed only 18 points, compared to the Warriors' 29. That's a significant difference in a tight playoff game. Malone needs to find a way to get more production from players like Christian Braun and Peyton Watson if they want to seriously contend in this series.
My controversial take? The Nuggets are relying too heavily on Jamal Murray's individual scoring against Curry. It's a tough ask for Murray to consistently outduel one of the greatest scorers ever in a one-on-one scenario, and it often leaves the rest of the offense stagnant.
Standout Performances and What's Next
While Curry was the undisputed Man of the Match, his supporting cast played a vital role. Klay Thompson hit three big threes in the second quarter, finishing with 21 points, providing that crucial secondary scoring punch. Draymond Green didn't stuff the stat sheet with points (he had 6), but his 10 rebounds, 9 assists, and relentless defense were invaluable. His late-game steal from Jokic was a momentum killer for Denver.
For the Nuggets, Jokic was, as always, phenomenal. His triple-double was a proof of his all-around impact. Murray was excellent in spurts, particularly in the third quarter. But outside of those two, the offensive contributions were limited. Aaron Gordon fought hard, scoring 15 points and guarding multiple positions, but he wasn't consistently aggressive enough on offense.
This result puts the Warriors up 2-1, heading into Game 4 at Chase Center on Thursday night. It's a massive swing game. If Golden State can take a 3-1 lead, they'll have a commanding grip on the series. Denver absolutely needs to win Game 4 to avoid going back to Ball Arena in a near-impossible hole. The pressure is squarely on the Nuggets now. They'll need to figure out how to slow down Curry and get more from their role players.
Bold Prediction: The Warriors close out the series in five games, with Curry putting up another 40-point performance in Game 5.