Nuggets vs. Warriors

Nuggets vs. Warriors - Game Recap - April 16, 2022 - ESPN

SAN FRANCISCO — — Coach Steve Kerr abruptly faces a playoff conundrum: begin Stephen Curry once more for Recreation 2 of the playoffs for Golden State and transfer Jordan Poole again to the bench or follow what labored so effectively within the opener and be additional cautious with Curry.

‘Yeah, we’ll cross that bridge after we come to it,” Kerr mentioned, smiling.

Poole shined in his playoff debut with 30 factors, staying within the beginning lineup as Curry returned from a foot harm, and the Warriors smothered Nikola Jokic to beat the Denver Nuggets 123-107 on Saturday evening in Recreation 1 of the first-round collection.

For now, Curry certain had a blast watching Poole and Splash Brother Klay Thompson do their factor from the opening tip.

“I’ve no expectations on what’s subsequent as a result of we’re all the time attempting to determine this out as a result of that is sort of a tricky scenario to cope with when it comes to the fast ramp up that I’ve had and it is a playoff-type depth and environment,” Curry mentioned.

Wholesome ultimately, Thompson returned to the playoff stage for the primary time in almost three years following two critical accidents and scored 19 factors with 5 3-pointers.

“Jordan Poole, wow, what a playoff debut,” Thompson mentioned. “… He’s simply unbelievable. What a star within the making.”

The perimeter mixture of Curry, Poole and Thompson proved an excessive amount of for the Nuggets — with Poole acknowledging “it’s fairly deadly.”

Jokic had 25 factors and 10 rebounds for Denver, dealing with stifling protection within the paint from Draymond Inexperienced and Kevon Looney whereas taking pictures 12 for 25.

Jokic credited each of them for making his pictures powerful.

“They’ve the instruments. I feel I missed a few straightforward ones, however I feel that they have been defending me very well,” Jokic mentioned. “So I must be higher. I simply must no less than make the layups and straightforward pictures.”

Recreation 2 within the best-of-seven collection is Monday evening at Chase Heart — which hosted its first playoff sport since opening in fall 2019. Followers acquired black T-shirts studying “Gold Blooded.”

Curry got here off the bench to contribute 16 factors in 21 minutes after lacking precisely a month with a sprained ligament in his left foot. The 2-time MVP examined it in a scrimmage Thursday, got here off the bench and had a minutes restriction. He checked in on the 5:58 mark of the primary quarter to a rousing ovation.

Curry missed his first 5 pictures earlier than a layup that went in on a goaltending name in opposition to Aaron Gordon 1:14 earlier than halftime, then knocked down a 3 from the highest of the arc because the Warriors took a 58-47 lead on the break.

Golden State received its ultimate 5 video games to finish the common season and saved rolling.

“Give them credit score. This can be a very proficient group with great playoff expertise. I feel the important thing stretch was the top of the second quarter,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone mentioned. “You don’t wish to play from behind on this constructing in opposition to this group.”

Jokic averaged 28 factors, 15.8 rebounds and eight.8 assists within the 4 matchups with the Warriors, three received by the Nuggets however just one by double digits. However Inexperienced hadn’t confronted Denver this season, so his addition was big.

“You are feeling it. He stepped it up a notch,” Poole mentioned of Inexperienced. “Being our chief, we feed off his power.”

Inexperienced hit a 3 from the highest over Jokic with 1:47 left within the third, then the Nuggets star dedicated a turnover moments later as Gary Payton II capitalized with a basket that put Golden State up 89-68.

Inexperienced wound up with 12 factors, 9 assists, six rebounds and three blocked pictures for a Warriors group that misplaced final yr within the play-in spherical to Memphis and is again within the playoffs for the primary time since dropping the 2019 NBA Finals in six video games to Toronto.

That was Thompson’s final playoff sport, when he suffered a torn ACL in his left knee that required surgical procedure earlier than he tore his proper Achilles tendon in November 2020 and had that repaired — costing him greater than 2 1/2 years till he got here again in January.

Gordon and Thompson have been hit with double technicals on the 6:25 mark of the second.

“We are able to’t beat ourselves and the Warriors in the identical sport,” Malone mentioned, “and we did that tonight.”

PLAYOFF DEBUT

Poole warmed up in a T-shirt studying “Poole Occasion” then dazzled on the large postseason stage, taking pictures 9 for 13 with 5 3s whereas beginning in Curry’s place. He joined Wilt Chamberlain and Mitch Richmond as the one gamers in franchise historical past with 30 factors in a postseason debut.

“He’s demonstrated he’s prepared for just about any second,” Curry mentioned.

With 2:54 earlier than halftime, Poole reduce a method then the opposite via the important thing for a layup and obtained fouled by Will Barton and transformed the three-point play. Poole hollered in celebration as Curry stared him down in delight.

“There’s no higher feeling than having the fellows behind you who’ve already been via the battle,” Poole mentioned.

He made his first six pictures and had 17 factors by intermission.

TIP-INS

Nuggets: DeMarcus Cousins was ejected with 10:28 left after back-to-back technicals. He had seven factors and two rebounds in opposition to his former group. … Denver shot 11 for 35 from deep, Jokic lacking his 4 3-point tries.

Warriors: Looney, who performed all 82 regular-season video games, grabbed seven boards because the Warriors led on rebounds 41-35. … The Warriors went 6-6 down the stretch with out Curry, successful their ultimate 5 regular-season video games.

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