What we learned as short-handed Warriors stun Nikola Jokić, Nuggets with big win

SAN FRANCISCO – In this season of bites, bumps and bruises, the Warriors have sprinkled in a few upsets but none as astonishing as that which they managed Sunday at Chase Center.Undermanned but displaying an abundance of resolve, the Warriors rode a wave of offensive firepower early and once threatened late summoned the grit required to finish an improbable 128-117 victory over the Denver Nuggets. The Dubs came ROARING back pic.twitter.com/oEuHXaBUBS — Warriors on NBCS (&commat;NBCSWarriors) February 22, 2026 Already missing Stephen Curry (runner’s knee) and Jimmy Butler III (right ACL surgery), the underdog Warriors became prohibitive ’dogs after losing Kristaps Porzingis (illness) in the morning and Draymond Green (low back soreness) minutes before tipoff.The Warriors (30-27) nonetheless played with the level of relentlessness that built a 14-point lead in the second quarter and kept them ahead most of the game.Six Warriors scored in double figures, led by Moses Moody’s 23 points. Al Horford cashed in 22 points, with De’Anthony Melton totaling 20, Brandin Podziemski 18 – with 15 coming in a takeover fourth quarter. AND-ONEEEE #NBAonABC pic.twitter.com/0hOlBpkMCv — Golden State Warriors (&commat;warriors) February 22, 2026 Golden State fell behind by eight late in the third quarter before owning the fourth quarter with a 33-16 advantage.Here are three observations from Golden State’s last home game before leaving the Bay Area on Monday for brief two-game road trip:Magic Deserts Warriors in Third, Returns in FourthAfter going up 78-67 19 seconds into the third quarter, the wave the Warriors rode throughout the first half vanished.The Nuggets responded with a 17-6 run to tie the game (84-84, 7:05 left in the quarter) for the first time since the opening minute. They took their first lead, 88-87, with five minutes remaining in the quarter.The Warriors were reeling. After shooting 55.1 percent from the field, including 51.7 percent from distance, in the first half, Golden State tailed off dramatically in the third quarter, 29.6 percent from the field and missing all 13 of its 3-point attempts.The fourth quarter, though, was a battle of wills won by the Warriors. The shots were falling (68.4 percent from the field, 54.5 from deep) and they rattled Denver into four ugly turnovers that netted seven points while limiting the Nuggets to 33.3 percent shooting, including 20 percent from deep.Uncle Al Carries Flag, Brings the JuiceWhat began as a game plan featuring Green starting at center, with Horford and Porzingis participating in a three-man rotation to defend Denver’s Nikola Joki, dissipated before tipoff.When Porzingis was ruled out at 9:45 with an illness and Green was scratched shortly before tipoff with low back soreness, it was left to Horford to represent the team’s veteran big men.Pushed into the starting lineup, the 39-year-old outdid himself before halftime, producing an efficient 17 points and four assists in his first 14 minutes while also making scoring difficult for Joki (5 of 13 from the field in the half).Horford didn’t stop there. His 22 points came on 8-of-11 shooting from the field, including 6 of 7 from beyond the arc. He recorded seven assists, adding three steals and two blocks. Playing a season-high 27 minutes, Horford was plus-14 for his work. RESPECT THE SPLASH UNCLE pic.twitter.com/C3NjWYacZS — Warriors on NBCS (&commat;NBCSWarriors) February 22, 2026 His load increased before the game, but he carried regally.Amazing Start Inspires HopeConsidering the circumstances, the Warriors submitted one of their most impressive first quarters of the season, moving the ball with precision and scorching the nets on offense while also playing pesky defense.The result was Golden State taking a 39-27 advantage into the second quarter. GP2 with the sneaky steal pic.twitter.com/orAHtNHoge — Warriors on NBCS (&commat;NBCSWarriors) February 22, 2026 The Warriors recorded 13 assists in the first while shooting 56 percent from the field, including 47.4 percent from distance. The committed only three turnovers, none of which led to points for Denver.Horford scored 11 points in nine minutes, shooting 4 of 5 from the field, including 3 of 4 from deep. He had three assists, and four others had at least two.Meanwhile, the Warriors forced five Nuggets turnovers while limiting them to 37-percent shooting from the field, including 16.7 percent beyond the arc.It was enough to inspire hope throughout the entire half while firing up a crowd was that relatively drowsy at tipoff.Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

What we learned as short-handed Warriors stun Nikola Jokić, Nuggets with big win

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