Denver Nuggets vs Golden State Warriors Match Player Stats.
Two of the most storied franchises in the Western Conference met three times during the 2025-26 NBA regular season, producing some of the most compelling individual and team performances of the year. This comprehensive guide covers every key player stat, team breakdown, quarter-by-quarter scoring, advanced analytics, and game context that competitors miss — giving you the complete picture of the Denver Nuggets vs Golden State Warriors rivalry this season.
Quick Reference: Season Series Results (2025-26)
| Date | Home | Away | Score | Winner | High Scorer | Key Stat |
| Oct 29, 2025 | Golden State | Denver | GSW 137 – DEN 131 (OT) | Warriors | Curry 38 | OT thriller |
| Feb 22, 2026 | Golden State | Denver | GSW 128 – DEN 117 | Warriors | Jokic 25-20-12 | Jokic triple-double |
| Mar 29, 2026 | Denver | Golden State | DEN 116 – GSW 93 | Nuggets | Jokic 25-15-8 | DEN 40-pt Q3 |
The Warriors took a 2-1 edge in the regular season series. However, the season standings told a different story: Denver finished the regular season 50-32 and seeded third in the West, while Golden State limped to 38-44, finishing 10th and needing the play-in tournament to advance.
Game 1: Golden State Warriors 128, Denver Nuggets 117 – February 22, 2026
Venue: Chase Center, San Francisco, CA | Date: Sunday, February 22, 2026 | Tip-off: 3:30 PM ET | Referees: Marc Davis, Che Flores, Robert Hussey
Quarter-by-Quarter Score – February 22, 2026
| Game / Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | OT | Final |
| Feb 22 – Denver | 28 | 30 | 32 | 27 | – | 117 |
| Feb 22 – Golden State | 34 | 28 | 34 | 32 | – | 128 |
| Mar 29 – Golden State | 28 | 25 | 21 | 19 | – | 93 |
| Mar 29 – Denver | 23 | 23 | 40 | 30 | – | 116 |
The Warriors controlled this game from the opening tip. Denver never led in the first half, falling behind by as many as 9 points. The Nuggets staged a spirited second-half comeback, but Golden State responded with a decisive 19-8 closing run in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
Denver Nuggets Player Stats – February 22, 2026
| Denver Nuggets – Feb 22, 2026 | ||||||||
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | STL | BLK |
| Nikola Jokic | 25 | 20 | 12 | 8-15 | 0-1 | 9-13 | 2 | 0 |
| Jamal Murray | 21 | 4 | 5 | 8-18 | 2-5 | 3-4 | 1 | 0 |
| Christian Braun | 18 | 6 | 1 | 7-14 | 2-5 | 2-2 | 1 | 0 |
| Bruce Brown | 12 | 3 | 2 | 5-11 | 2-4 | 0-0 | 1 | 0 |
| Aaron Gordon | 14 | 5 | 1 | 6-10 | 0-1 | 2-2 | 0 | 1 |
| Peyton Watson | 9 | 4 | 0 | 3-7 | 2-4 | 1-2 | 0 | 1 |
| Julian Strawther | 7 | 3 | 2 | 3-8 | 1-3 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 |
| DaRon Holmes II | 11 | 3 | 1 | 4-7 | 2-3 | 1-2 | 0 | 0 |
Nikola Jokic delivered his 183rd career triple-double — 25 points, 20 rebounds, and 12 assists — making it his fifth triple-double in seven games and 19th of the 2025-26 season. Despite this historic performance, Jokic could not single-handedly overcome a Warriors team that shot 47% from the field. Jamal Murray chipped in 21 points, while Christian Braun and Bruce Brown provided meaningful bench support.
Golden State Warriors Player Stats – February 22, 2026
| Golden State Warriors – Feb 22, 2026 | ||||||||
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | STL | BLK |
| Brandin Podziemski | 18 | 15 | 9 | 7-16 | 3-8 | 1-2 | 2 | 0 |
| Al Horford | 22 | 5 | 7 | 8-14 | 6-9 | 0-0 | 0 | 1 |
| Moses Moody | 23 | 7 | 2 | 9-18 | 4-9 | 1-2 | 1 | 0 |
| De’Anthony Melton | 20 | 4 | 4 | 7-14 | 3-6 | 3-4 | 3 | 0 |
| Draymond Green | 8 | 7 | 9 | 3-7 | 1-3 | 1-2 | 2 | 1 |
| Kyle Anderson | 7 | 4 | 3 | 3-8 | 0-1 | 1-2 | 1 | 0 |
| Pat Spencer | 10 | 5 | 4 | 4-9 | 1-3 | 1-2 | 1 | 0 |
| Gui Santos | 11 | 4 | 1 | 4-9 | 1-4 | 2-2 | 1 | 0 |
The Warriors were without three starters — Stephen Curry (knee), Kristaps Porzingis (illness), and Jimmy Butler (torn right ACL) — and Draymond Green was a late scratch with a back injury. Despite these absences, Golden State rose to the occasion. Brandin Podziemski was the hero, scoring 12 of his 18 points in the final five minutes to clinch the victory. Al Horford drilled six three-pointers for 22 points and seven assists. Moses Moody erupted for 23 points and De’Anthony Melton added 20, showcasing extraordinary roster depth.
Key Storyline – February 22
Jokic vs. a Depleted Warriors Squad: Jokic’s 25-point, 20-rebound, 12-assist line was the most impressive individual stat line of the night — yet the Nuggets still lost. The Warriors proved that when a team runs efficiently as a collective, even a one-man-army performance may not be enough.
Game 2: Denver Nuggets 116, Golden State Warriors 93 – March 29, 2026
Venue: Ball Arena, Denver, CO | Date: Sunday, March 29, 2026 | Tip-off: 8:00 PM MT | Context: Denver riding a six-game winning streak
Denver Nuggets Player Stats – March 29, 2026
| Denver Nuggets – March 29, 2026 | ||||||||
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | STL | BLK |
| Nikola Jokic | 25 | 15 | 8 | 11-19 | 1-3 | 2-2 | 1 | 0 |
| Jamal Murray | 20 | 6 | 7 | 7-12 | 2-4 | 4-5 | 2 | 1 |
| Tim Hardaway Jr. | 16 | 3 | 2 | 5-10 | 4-8 | 2-2 | 2 | 0 |
| Christian Braun | 12 | 3 | 0 | 5-8 | 0-3 | 2-2 | 0 | 0 |
| Bruce Brown | 15 | 1 | 0 | 6-11 | 3-4 | 0-0 | 2 | 0 |
| Julian Strawther | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3-7 | 1-3 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cameron Johnson | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2-5 | 2-4 | 0-0 | 1 | 1 |
| Peyton Watson | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2-5 | 1-3 | 1-1 | 1 | 0 |
| Zeke Nnaji | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2-3 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 |
Jokic produced another near triple-double — 25 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 assists — finishing just two assists shy of five consecutive triple-doubles. Jamal Murray added 20 points and 7 assists. Tim Hardaway Jr. was explosive off the bench, scoring 10 of his 16 points in a devastating third quarter. The Nuggets bench outscored the Warriors bench 43-25, a margin that proved decisive.
Golden State Warriors Player Stats – March 29, 2026
| Golden State Warriors – March 29, 2026 | ||||||||
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | STL | BLK |
| Brandin Podziemski | 23 | 8 | 5 | 8-19 | 3-9 | 4-4 | 1 | 0 |
| Kristaps Porzingis | 23 | 3 | 2 | 8-14 | 5-5 | 2-2 | 1 | 0 |
| Draymond Green | 13 | 4 | 8 | 5-11 | 2-7 | 1-1 | 1 | 0 |
| Gary Payton II | 16 | 5 | 1 | 7-8 | 1-2 | 1-1 | 0 | 0 |
| Pat Spencer | 7 | 5 | 8 | 3-9 | 0-4 | 1-3 | 2 | 0 |
| Gui Santos | 9 | 10 | 3 | 3-9 | 1-4 | 2-2 | 1 | 0 |
| De’Anthony Melton | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0-5 | 0-3 | 0-0 | 2 | 0 |
| LJ Cryer | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0-6 | 0-6 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 |
Brandin Podziemski and Kristaps Porzingis led Golden State with 23 points apiece, but it was not nearly enough. The Warriors again played without Stephen Curry — his 25th consecutive absence with a knee injury. Draymond Green contributed 13 points and 8 assists, but turnovers (15 team turnovers vs Denver’s 12) proved costly. Gary Payton II was one of the few bright spots on an off night for the team.
Key Storyline – March 29
Denver’s Third Quarter Explosion: The Nuggets trailed 53-46 at halftime after Golden State went on a 19-2 run in the second quarter. What followed in the third quarter was one of the most dominant stretches of the Nuggets’ season — a 40-21 scoring period that turned a 7-point deficit into a commanding lead. Tim Hardaway Jr.’s three-point shooting and Jokic’s interior mastery drove the surge.
Full Team Stats Comparison – March 29, 2026 (Game 2)
| Stat (March 29, 2026) | DEN | GSW | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
| Field Goals Made-Att | 43-86 | 35-83 | 50.0% | — | — |
| Three-Pointers Made-Att | 19-40 | 14-42 | — | DEN 47.5% / GSW 33.3% | — |
| Free Throws Made-Att | 11-12 | 9-11 | — | — | DEN 91.7% / GSW 81.8% |
| Rebounds (Total) | 48 | 48 | — | — | — |
| Assists | 31 | 29 | — | — | — |
| Steals | 11 | 9 | — | — | — |
| Turnovers | 12 | 15 | — | — | — |
| Points in Paint | 36 | 36 | — | — | — |
| Fast Break Points | 16 | 11 | — | — | — |
| Second Chance Points | 16 | 9 | — | — | — |
| Points Off Turnovers | 22 | 13 | — | — | — |
| Bench Points | 43 | 25 | — | — | — |
| Eff. FG% | 61.0% | 50.6% | — | — | — |
| True Shooting% | 63.5% | 52.9% | — | — | — |
Denver’s efficiency metrics told the full story of Game 2. A 63.5% true shooting percentage against Golden State’s 52.9% reflects a team operating at an elite level. Denver’s 47.5% three-point shooting (19-of-40) was exceptional for a team that typically favors inside scoring. The bench points differential — 43 to 25 — was one of the largest of the season.
Nikola Jokic: The Statistical Centerpiece of Both Matchups
Across the two head-to-head matchups in the 2025-26 regular season, Nikola Jokic averaged 25 points, 17.5 rebounds, and 10 assists per game — a combined stat line that no other player in the league came close to replicating. His performance against Golden State specifically illustrates why he remains the most dominant force in basketball.
Jokic’s 25-20-12 line on February 22 was historic. It marked his 183rd career triple-double — placing him third on the all-time NBA list — and his 19th of the 2025-26 season. It was his fifth triple-double in seven games, a stretch of consistency that defies belief for a player in his position.
Jokic vs. Warriors: 2025-26 Regular Season Averages
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | STL | FG% | 3P% | TS% |
| Nikola Jokic (Avg) | 25.0 | 17.5 | 10.0 | 1.5 | ~58% | ~22% | ~68% |
What makes Jokic’s numbers against Golden State even more impressive is context: in the February loss, his 20-rebound performance came against a team that shot efficiently and executed its game plan near-perfectly. In the March win, his 15 rebounds and 8 assists helped engineer a comeback from 7 points down at halftime.
Jamal Murray: The Reliable Second Star
Murray turned in a pair of 20-point performances in both matchups against Golden State, averaging 20.5 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds. His ability to hit timely threes and push pace in transition proved critical — particularly in Game 2, where his 7 assists helped facilitate Denver’s historic third quarter.
Murray has historically elevated his game in Western Conference matchups. His efficiency — averaging roughly 58% field goal percentage across these two games — reflects a player at the peak of his powers.
Golden State Warriors’ Key Performers in 2025-26 vs Denver
Brandin Podziemski: Rising Star
Podziemski was Golden State’s most consistent performer across the series, averaging 20.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 7 assists against Denver. His February 22 performance — 12 clutch fourth-quarter points, 15 rebounds, and 9 assists — earned the Warriors a victory despite the absence of four rotation players. In the March rematch, he led Golden State with 23 points. Podziemski’s development into a reliable lead option in the post-Curry era has been one of the biggest stories of the Warriors’ season.
Al Horford: The Veteran Spark
Horford’s February 22 showing — 22 points including six three-pointers, plus 7 assists — was a vintage veteran performance that caught Denver’s defense off guard. His spacing allowed the Warriors to operate freely in the half-court, and his 6-of-9 shooting from three-point range remains one of the best individual performances in this series.
Draymond Green: The System Anchor
Green’s contributions in these matchups went beyond scoring. His combined assist numbers across the two games (8 and 9 respectively) underline why he remains the Warriors’ primary offensive connector. His 13-point, 8-assist performance in Game 2 came in a losing effort, but he was one of few Warriors who competed at a consistent level throughout the rematch.
Advanced Analytics: What the Numbers Reveal
Most box score sites stop at points, rebounds, and assists. Here are the deeper metrics that explain the outcomes of both games.
Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%)
March 29 game: Denver shot 61.0% eFG vs Golden State’s 50.6%. eFG% accounts for the bonus value of three-point shots, making it a more accurate measure of shooting efficiency than raw field goal percentage. Denver’s mark of 61.0% was elite-level; anything above 57% is considered very good in the NBA.
True Shooting Percentage (TS%)
March 29 game: Denver’s 63.5% TS% vs Golden State’s 52.9% TS%. True shooting takes into account field goals, three-pointers, and free throws together. Denver’s 63.5% was among the highest single-game figures in the league this season.
Points Off Turnovers
March 29 game: Denver scored 22 points off turnovers; Golden State scored only 13 from Denver’s mistakes. The Warriors committed 15 turnovers — three more than Denver — and paid a steep price. Denver’s aggressive, switching defense forced Golden State into uncharacteristic errors.
Bench Points Differential
March 29 game: Denver bench scored 43 points; Golden State bench scored 25. This 18-point swing was arguably the decisive factor. Hardaway Jr. (16), Brown (15), and Strawther (7) gave the Nuggets an enormous reserve advantage that Golden State’s depleted roster could not match.
Offensive and Defensive Rating – March 29
Denver’s Offensive Rating: 119.2 (exceptional). Denver’s Defensive Rating: 99.1 (elite). Golden State’s Offensive Rating: 99.1. Golden State’s Defensive Rating: 119.2. An offensive rating above 115 is considered excellent; Denver’s 119.2 for the game reflected a near-perfect offensive execution, particularly in the dominant third quarter.
Season Context: Where Both Teams Stood
Understanding the significance of these matchups requires knowing where each team was in the 2025-26 season standings and injury picture.
Denver Nuggets 2025-26 Context
- Final regular season record: 50-32, seeded 3rd in the Western Conference
- Entered the March 29 game on a six-game winning streak, improving to 48-28
- Aaron Gordon was unavailable for Game 2 due to calf soreness
- The Nuggets ranked among the top-5 offenses in the NBA in points per game, led by Jokic
- Denver’s bench depth — built around Hardaway Jr., Brown, and Strawther — proved vital in both matchups
Golden State Warriors 2025-26 Context
- Final regular season record: 38-44, finishing 10th in the Western Conference
- Stephen Curry missed 25+ consecutive games with a right knee injury — the single biggest factor in the Warriors’ season-long struggles
- Jimmy Butler missed the entire season after tearing his right ACL
- Kristaps Porzingis missed the February 22 game due to illness
- Draymond Green was a late scratch for the February 22 game with a back injury
- The Warriors lost 16 of 25 games during Curry’s extended absence
- Golden State finished the season 10th in the West and entered the play-in tournament, where they eliminated the Los Angeles Clippers
Historical Head-to-Head: Nuggets vs Warriors Rivalry
The Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors have shared one of the most rivalry-defining relationships in Western Conference basketball over the past five seasons. Golden State eliminated Denver in the first round in 2022. Denver won the 2023 NBA Championship in part by developing the depth and defensive cohesion to overcome Golden State-style teams. The rivalry is defined by the contrast between Golden State’s three-point-centric motion offense and Denver’s Jokic-anchored half-court dominance.
In the 2025-26 season, Denver won the series 2-1 in the regular season (including the first game in October 2025 going to overtime), continuing a pattern in which Jokic’s mastery in playoff-style settings gives Denver a structural advantage whenever the series is extended.
What Other Coverage Misses: Deeper Insights
Most competitor articles provide raw box scores without context. Here is what makes this matchup uniquely significant in 2025-26:
- Jokic’s triple-double on February 22 was his 183rd career — placing him third all-time in NBA history, behind Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson — yet the Nuggets still lost. This illustrates how even transcendent individual performances can be overcome by collective team execution.
- The Warriors’ February win without four rotation players (Curry, Porzingis, Butler, Green) represents one of the most remarkable team performances of the season, a testament to Golden State’s coaching culture and system depth under Steve Kerr.
- Denver’s 40-21 third-quarter outburst in Game 2 was the largest single-quarter margin in any Nuggets game in the 2025-26 regular season up to that point.
- Golden State’s biggest lead in Game 2 was only 13 points, yet they lost by 23 — reflecting how completely Denver dominated the second half of that contest.
- Denver’s bench scored 43 points in Game 2 — more than any Golden State starter scored individually — underscoring the roster depth that carried the Nuggets to a top-3 seed.
- The Warriors’ 19-2 second-quarter run in Game 2 is the reason this game was closer than the final score suggests; without it, Denver’s winning margin would likely have been even larger.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Nuggets vs Warriors games in 2025-26?
Golden State won Games 1 (128-117, Feb 22) and the season opener in overtime. Denver won Game 3 (116-93, March 29).
What did Nikola Jokic average against the Warriors in 2025-26?
Across their two regular season meetings, Jokic averaged 25 points, 17.5 rebounds, and 10 assists — including a historic 25-20-12 triple-double on February 22.
Did Stephen Curry play in these games?
Curry did not play in the February 22 or March 29 matchups. He was sidelined with a right knee injury that caused him to miss over 25 consecutive games.
What was the biggest quarter in these matchups?
Denver’s third quarter on March 29 — where the Nuggets scored 40 points to Golden State’s 21 — was the single most dominant quarter in the series, turning a 7-point halftime deficit into a decisive lead.
Who led the Warriors when Curry was out?
Brandin Podziemski emerged as the Warriors’ primary offensive option in Curry’s absence, averaging 20.5 points per game in these two matchups and showing the versatility to score, create, and rebound at an elite level.
How did Denver’s bench perform?
Denver’s bench scored 43 points in Game 2 (March 29) versus Golden State’s 25, a differential of 18 points that was one of the key reasons the Nuggets pulled away in the second half.
Final Takeaways
The 2025-26 Denver Nuggets vs Golden State Warriors series was a compelling study in contrasts: a Jokic-led Nuggets team built on efficiency, depth, and half-court dominance versus a Warriors team that lacked its superstar yet still managed to win in extraordinary fashion when its supporting cast performed.
For the Nuggets, the series validated their identity as a team that can compete on any given night even through lineup changes and adversity. For the Warriors, the February win — shorthanded and against a superstar’s best efforts — is a reminder of what Golden State basketball has always represented: a system greater than any individual.
Jokic’s statistical lines across both games represent the most complete individual performances in the series and rank among the most dominant two-game stretches against a single opponent in NBA history. Yet, the series outcome (2-1 Warriors in first two meetings) proves that basketball remains a team sport.
You May Also Like It:
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Detroit Tigers Match Player Stats
