There were a lot of positive takeaways from the Nuggets’ opening night performance, but it was hard not to be concerned by their defensive performance. They fell 137-131 to the Warriors in San Francisco, even with Aaron Gordon putting up 50 points, Jamal Murray adding 25, and Nikola Jokic starting the year with a triple-double.
But even with all of that, Denver had to work just to keep pace with Golden State, and it ultimately wasn’t enough to get the win, mostly thanks to their defense. They allowed 120 points in regulation, then another 17 in the five-minute overtime session.