The Golden State Warriors, aiming for another championship run, face a significant challenge in the Denver Nuggets in a Western Conference showdown on Christmas Day in part of the NBA’s five-game slate.
While the Warriors are familiar with the Christmas Day spotlight, the Nuggets are relatively new to this stage, having played on December 25th last year and in three of the last five seasons, including an overtime win against the Phoenix Suns in 2022. With Nikola Jokic, a two-time MVP, leading them, Denver is positioned to be a regular feature in these marquee matchups.
The immediate focus for both teams is their upcoming clash, with Golden State riding a five-game winning streak, even in the absence of Draymond Green due to suspension. Klay Thompson has been pivotal in this streak, averaging 24.8 points per game and hitting 46.3% of his three-pointers.
“I feel like every time I shoot the ball, it’s a good shot,” Thompson said. “They seem to be going in at a higher frequency over the last five or six games, but I’m not going to let anyone tell me after all these years — I feel like I can make every shot. Any shot, not every shot.”
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Thompson’s resurgence has been crucial, especially with Green suspended, Gary Payton II injured, and Andrew Wiggins out due to illness. Meanwhile, Denver is coming off a successful three-game road trip against Eastern Conference teams, winning in various styles against the Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets, and Charlotte Hornets.
Denver’s defensive prowess was on full display against Charlotte, holding them without a field goal for the first 11 minutes of the third quarter, turning an eight-point halftime deficit into a significant lead. Nuggets coach Michael Malone praised this defensive effort as one of the most impressive runs he’s seen in his tenure with the team.
“That’s one of the more impressive runs that I can remember in my nine years in Denver,” Malone said. “We chart kills, and you get a kill if you get three stops in a row. To get 17 straight stops is incredible.”
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While replicating such a defensive feat against the Warriors might be challenging, Denver has the advantage of Jokic’s offensive skills, which can disrupt opponents’ scoring runs. Jokic, who nearly achieved a triple-double recently, is the last NBA player to record a triple-double on Christmas Day, doing so in 2022.
Supporting Jokic, Jamal Murray has returned to form, averaging 21.4 points since his comeback from a hamstring injury. Aaron Gordon’s improved free-throw shooting and effective play from the bench have also bolstered the Nuggets, allowing the starters more rest.
This upcoming matchup between the Warriors and Nuggets is a highlight of the NBA’s Christmas Day games, featuring two of the league’s top teams.
