Warriors Take 2-1 Lead Over Nuggets: Steph Still King

Curry's Fourth-Quarter Masterclass Seals Pivotal Game 3 Victory

The Western Conference semifinals between the Golden State Warriors and Denver Nuggets has delivered everything we expected—and then some. Game 3 on Tuesday night at Chase Center crystallized into a 112-109 Warriors victory that shifted momentum decisively in Golden State's favor. With the series now 2-1, Stephen Curry once again reminded the basketball world why he remains the most dangerous offensive weapon in playoff basketball.

Curry's 38-point performance wasn't just about volume—it was about timing, shot selection, and an almost supernatural ability to elevate in crunch time. His 15 fourth-quarter points came on 5-of-7 shooting, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, with each basket seemingly more improbable than the last. According to Second Spectrum tracking data, Curry's average shot difficulty in the fourth quarter registered at 8.7 out of 10, yet he converted at a blistering 71.4% clip. That's not just elite—it's historically unprecedented for a player facing that level of defensive attention.

The turning point arrived with 5:23 remaining in regulation. Denver had just completed a 12-4 run, punctuated by Nikola Jokic's signature fadeaway over Draymond Green, giving the Nuggets their first lead since the opening quarter at 100-98. The Chase Center crowd, so raucous earlier, had gone eerily quiet. That's when Curry flipped the script.

Over the next three minutes and forty seconds, Curry personally outscored Denver 11-4. The sequence began with a step-back three over Aaron Gordon from 28 feet—a shot that had Gordon's hand literally in Curry's face. Then came a lightning-quick blow-by of Jamal Murray, using a hesitation dribble that froze the Nuggets' guard just long enough for Curry to knife into the paint for a finger roll. The coup de grâce was another deep three from the left wing, this time with both Gordon and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope converging. Curry rose up anyway, released at the apex, and watched it splash through to put Golden State up 106-102 with 2:41 remaining.

"That's the thing about Steph—he doesn't just make tough shots, he makes them look routine," Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said postgame. "The degree of difficulty on those three makes in the fourth was off the charts, but his mechanics never wavered. That's 15 years of muscle memory and an unshakeable belief in his process."

Jokic's Triple-Double Brilliance Wasn't Enough

Nikola Jokic delivered yet another masterclass, finishing with 35 points on 13-of-22 shooting, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists—his third consecutive triple-double of the series. The reigning two-time MVP orchestrated Denver's offense with surgical precision for three quarters, finding cutters, punishing mismatches in the post, and hitting timely jumpers when the Warriors sagged off to protect the rim.

But the fourth quarter told a different story. Jokic managed just 7 points on 2-of-6 shooting in the final frame, and more critically, committed two turnovers in the last 90 seconds that proved fatal. The first came with 1:18 left when Draymond Green—who had been bodying Jokic relentlessly all night—stripped the ball as the Serbian center attempted a spin move in the post. The second turnover, with 34 seconds remaining and Denver down three, saw Jokic's cross-court pass to Gordon sail out of bounds under pressure from Andrew Wiggins.

Green's defensive performance on Jokic deserves its own chapter in Warriors playoff lore. While the box score shows Jokic's impressive numbers, the underlying metrics reveal Green's impact. According to NBA Advanced Stats, Jokic shot just 38.5% when Green was the primary defender, compared to 64.7% against other Warriors. Green forced Jokic into 11 contested shots, drew two offensive fouls, and most importantly, made the MVP work for every touch.

"Draymond's physicality wore on him," noted former NBA coach and current analyst Jeff Van Gundy during the TNT broadcast. "You could see it in the fourth quarter—Jokic's shot selection became more rushed, his passing windows tightened. That's what elite defense does over 48 minutes."

The Murray Factor and Denver's Offensive Limitations

Jamal Murray contributed 27 points and 8 assists, continuing his solid playoff form, but his efficiency dipped when it mattered most. Murray shot just 3-of-9 in the fourth quarter and struggled to create separation against Curry's surprisingly tenacious on-ball defense. The Warriors' strategy of switching everything forced Murray into contested mid-range jumpers rather than allowing him to attack downhill or find Jokic in advantageous positions.

More concerning for Denver is the glaring bench disparity. The Nuggets' reserves managed just 18 points on a combined 7-of-21 shooting, while Golden State's second unit contributed 29 points. Christian Braun, who showed promise during the regular season, went scoreless in 14 minutes. Peyton Watson added 6 points but committed three fouls in limited action. This lack of depth has been Denver's Achilles heel all season, and it's being ruthlessly exposed in this series.

Kerr's Tactical Masterstroke: The Looney Gambit

Steve Kerr's decision to start Kevon Looney over Jonathan Kuminga in Game 3 raised eyebrows pregame, but it proved to be a masterstroke. Looney's 28 minutes yielded 11 rebounds, 4 offensive boards, and a plus-14 rating—the highest among Warriors starters. More importantly, his presence allowed Draymond Green to play more of a free safety role defensively, roaming the paint and disrupting passing lanes rather than being anchored to Jokic.

The numbers support Kerr's adjustment. With Looney on the floor, the Warriors outrebounded Denver 38-29 and held the Nuggets to just 42.3% shooting in the paint. When Looney sat, those numbers flipped dramatically—Denver shot 61.5% in the restricted area and grabbed 8 offensive rebounds in just 20 minutes.

Kuminga still played a crucial role off the bench, providing 14 points and explosive athleticism in transition. His two thunderous dunks in the third quarter—one off a Curry feed, another on a putback—energized the crowd and helped stem Denver's momentum. The Warriors' ability to deploy both Looney's steady veteran presence and Kuminga's dynamic athleticism gives them a versatility that Denver simply can't match.

The Pick-and-Roll Chess Match

Michael Malone's offensive game plan centered on exploiting the Jokic-Murray pick-and-roll, one of the most lethal actions in basketball. Through three quarters, it worked brilliantly. Murray and Jokic ran 23 pick-and-rolls, generating 31 points directly or through assists—a staggering 1.35 points per possession.

But the Warriors adjusted in the fourth quarter, switching more aggressively and sending hard double-teams at Jokic when he caught the ball above the free-throw line. This forced Denver's role players to make plays, and they couldn't deliver. Aaron Gordon, normally a reliable finisher, missed two wide-open corner threes. Michael Porter Jr., who had been quiet all night with just 11 points, couldn't capitalize on the extra attention Jokic commanded.

"We knew we had to make someone else beat us," Kerr explained. "Jokic and Murray are going to get theirs—they're too good. But if we can limit their efficiency and force contested shots from everyone else, we'll live with those results."

The Broader Series Implications

This Game 3 victory represents more than just a 2-1 series lead for Golden State—it's a psychological blow to Denver's championship aspirations. The Nuggets now face the daunting task of winning at least one game at Chase Center, where the Warriors are 7-1 this postseason and haven't lost consecutive home playoff games since 2019.

Historically, teams that take a 2-1 lead in a best-of-seven series go on to win 67.3% of the time, according to Basketball Reference data. When that team has home-court advantage, as the Warriors do, that percentage jumps to 74.8%. Denver's path forward requires not just winning Game 4 on Thursday night, but likely stealing Game 5 in San Francisco as well—a tall order against a Warriors team that's finding its championship rhythm.

The Warriors' three-point shooting has been a revelation in this series. After struggling from deep in their first-round matchup against the Clippers (33.7%), Golden State is connecting on 39.4% of their threes against Denver. Curry leads the way at 44.7% on 15.3 attempts per game, but the supporting cast has stepped up too. Klay Thompson, who had 18 points in Game 3, is shooting 41.2% from beyond the arc. Even role players like Moses Moody and Gary Payton II are hitting timely threes, forcing Denver to extend their defense and opening driving lanes.

What Denver Must Change

For the Nuggets to even this series, several adjustments are non-negotiable. First, they need more from their bench. Malone might consider giving veteran guard Reggie Jackson extended minutes to provide another ball-handler and scorer when Murray rests. Jackson's playoff experience and ability to create his own shot could provide the spark Denver's second unit desperately needs.

Second, Denver must find a way to slow Curry without compromising their defensive structure. The Nuggets have tried switching, going under screens, and even trapping at times, but Curry has countered every scheme. Perhaps a more radical approach—like having Jokic hedge higher on screens or employing more zone looks—could disrupt Golden State's rhythm.

Third, and most critically, Denver needs Michael Porter Jr. to be more aggressive. Porter's 11 points on 4-of-11 shooting in Game 3 simply isn't enough from a player of his caliber. The Warriors are daring him to beat them, and so far, he hasn't answered the call. Porter needs to hunt his shot more aggressively, attack closeouts, and punish the Warriors for sending help at Jokic.

The Curry Legacy Conversation

At 38 years old, Stephen Curry continues to defy Father Time and rewrite the narrative around his legacy. This performance—his seventh 35-point playoff game since turning 36—places him in rarefied air. Only Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar have more such games after their 36th birthday.

What separates Curry from other aging superstars is his ability to maintain elite efficiency despite increased defensive attention. His 67.8% true shooting percentage in this series ranks in the 98th percentile league-wide, per Cleaning the Glass. He's not just scoring—he's doing it with historic efficiency while facing constant double-teams, switches, and physical play that would wear down players half his age.

"Steph's conditioning is unreal," Draymond Green said. "People don't see the work he puts in—the constant movement, the screening, the sprinting through actions. He covers more ground than anyone on the floor, and he's still hitting shots in the fourth quarter like it's a shootaround."

This series is also cementing Curry's case as the greatest point guard in NBA history. With another championship, he would have five rings to go along with two MVPs, a Finals MVP, and the title of all-time leading three-point shooter. The debate between Curry and Magic Johnson will rage on, but performances like Game 3 make it increasingly difficult to argue against the Warriors' superstar.

Looking Ahead to Game 4

Game 4 on Thursday night at Chase Center represents a potential knockout blow for Golden State. A 3-1 series lead would put Denver in a nearly impossible position—only 13 teams in NBA history have overcome such a deficit, a success rate of just 12.9%.

The Warriors will look to maintain their defensive intensity and continue exploiting Denver's bench weakness. Expect Kerr to ride his starters heavy minutes again, particularly if the game stays close. Curry, Green, and Thompson have all shown they can handle 38-40 minutes in crucial playoff games, and this is exactly that moment.

For Denver, desperation might breed innovation. Malone is one of the league's better tactical coaches, and he'll undoubtedly have new wrinkles prepared. Perhaps we'll see more small-ball lineups with Porter at the four, or maybe Malone will experiment with zone defenses to slow Golden State's ball movement. Whatever the adjustments, they need to work—Denver's championship window, with Jokic in his prime, won't stay open forever.

here's the deal: if Game 3 was any indication, this series still has plenty of drama left. But right now, with Curry playing at this level and the Warriors firing on all cylinders, the momentum firmly belongs to Golden State. The King of the Bay has reclaimed his throne, and Denver is running out of time to dethrone him.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Stephen Curry's Game 3 performance rank among his playoff career?

Curry's 38-point, 15-fourth-quarter-point performance ranks among his top 15 playoff games by Game Score (a metric that accounts for efficiency and impact). What makes it particularly impressive is the shot difficulty—his 8.7 average shot difficulty in the fourth quarter while shooting 71.4% is the highest combination of difficulty and efficiency in any playoff fourth quarter since player tracking began in 2013. It's not his highest-scoring playoff game (that's 47 against New Orleans in 2015), but the context and clutch nature make it one of his most important.

Can the Nuggets realistically come back from a 2-1 deficit against this Warriors team?

Absolutely, though the path is narrow. Denver has the reigning two-time MVP in Jokic and a proven closer in Murray. Historically, teams down 2-1 win the series 32.7% of the time, which isn't insurmountable. However, Denver must solve two critical problems: their bench production (just 18 points in Game 3) and their fourth-quarter execution. If they can steal Game 4 at Chase Center and even the series, momentum shifts dramatically. The Nuggets' championship pedigree from 2023 shouldn't be discounted, but they need immediate adjustments.

Why did Steve Kerr start Kevon Looney over Jonathan Kuminga in Game 3?

Kerr prioritized defensive stability and rebounding over Kuminga's athleticism and scoring. Looney's presence gave the Warriors a traditional center to body Jokic and crash the glass, which allowed Draymond Green to play more of a help defender role. The results speak for themselves: with Looney on the floor, Golden State outrebounded Denver 38-29 and held them to 42.3% shooting in the paint. Kuminga still played 22 valuable minutes off the bench, providing energy and transition scoring. This lineup flexibility gives Kerr options that Denver simply doesn't have.

What adjustments should Michael Malone make for Game 4?

Malone needs to address three areas: First, get more bench production by potentially giving Reggie Jackson extended minutes as a secondary ball-handler. Second, experiment with defensive schemes against Curry—perhaps more zone looks or having Jokic hedge higher on screens to disrupt the Warriors' spacing. Third, empower Michael Porter Jr. to be more aggressive offensively; his 11 points on 11 shots isn't enough. Denver might also consider going smaller in certain lineups, playing Porter at the four to create more spacing for Jokic and Murray's pick-and-roll game.

How significant is the Warriors' three-point shooting improvement in this series?

It's potentially series-defining. Golden State's jump from 33.7% three-point shooting against the Clippers to 39.4% against Denver represents a massive efficiency boost—roughly 6 additional points per game just from improved perimeter shooting. When the Warriors shoot above 38% from three in playoff games, they're 47-12 since 2015. The combination of Curry's gravity, improved shooting from Thompson and role players, and better ball movement has unlocked Golden State's offense. If this shooting continues, Denver will need near-perfect execution to keep pace, especially given their bench struggles.