Denver Nuggets Triumph Over Golden State Warriors: A Detailed Analysis of the March 17, 2025 Matchup
The Denver Nuggets visited the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center in San Francisco on March 17, 2025. The Nuggets prevailed in a tough 114-105 contest despite missing their MVP center Nikola Jokić, star guard Jamal Murray, and do-everything wing Christian Braun.
The win demonstrated the Nuggets’ roster depth and resolve and raised doubt about the Warriors’ prospects of success without consistent support for Stephen Curry.
Aaron Gordon stepped up in a big way for Denver with a game-high 38 points and dominating on both ends of the floor. Gordon’s aggressiveness and efficiency made up for the absent Jokić and Murray. On the Warriors’ side, Stephen Curry tried to will his team with 23 points but was not sufficient as the Nuggets’ defensive plans shut down his efficiency and the secondary scoring lack of Golden State was exposed.
This was more than your average regular-season matchup — it showed strengths and weaknesses for two playoff-hopeful teams. Let’s get into how the game unfolded, standouts, and what it means moving forward for both teams.
First Quarter: Nuggets Set the Tone
The Nuggets were aggressive to begin the game, establishing an early lead through physicality and defensive intensity. Aaron Gordon set the tone early with a series of instant drives to the basket, showcasing his ability to finish through contact.
Denver won the first quarter 29-22 against Golden State. Gordon had 12 in the quarter alone, taking advantage of mismatches and the defensive lapses of the Warriors. Russell Westbrook, a replacement for Jamal Murray, controlled the tempo by shifting the ball nicely and pushing the ball in transition.
Defensively, the Nuggets harassed Curry, doubling him frequently and forcing other Warriors players to take contested shots. Golden State shot just 40% from the field in the first quarter and committed four turnovers, which Denver turned into easy fast-break points.
Key Moment: Gordon’s powerful dunk over Kevon Looney midway through the quarter energized the Nuggets’ bench and visibly drained the defensive confidence of the Warriors.
Second Quarter: Denver Maintains Momentum
The Nuggets carried the first quarter momentum into the second, stretching their advantage to 12 at the half. Denver’s reserves, often underrated, were key to maintaining the lead. Role players like Reggie Jackson and Zeke Nnaji provided scoring and defensive energy when Gordon and Westbrook were resting.
Golden State attempted to stage a comeback with Curry finding some success from beyond the arc, but Denver’s defense adjusted in a flash. The Nuggets focused on switching on screens and forcing Curry into tough, off-balance shots. Draymond Green’s limited offense (2 points, 3 assists) meant that Curry lacked sufficient support to break through Denver’s defense.
Westbrook conducted Denver’s offense masterfully, finishing the first half with 8 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds. Gordon added another 10 points in the quarter, finishing the half with 22 points.
Denver led 62-50 at halftime. Frustration was evident for the Warriors, as Green got into heated arguments with his teammates as they walked off the court.
Stat Watch: Golden State shot just 30% from three-point range in the first half, and Denver capitalized in transition to score 14 fast-break points.
Third Quarter: Warriors Attempt to Make a Comeback
The Warriors began the third quarter with greater intensity, focusing on defense and trying to push the tempo. Curry hit back-to-back threes midway through the quarter, cutting the deficit to six points. Jonathan Kuminga and Andrew Wiggins also contributed with aggressive drives to the basket, allowing the Warriors to counter Denver’s physicality.
However, Denver’s composure allowed them to weather the storm. Gordon continued to exploit mismatches, scoring at the rim and drawing fouls. Westbrook shifted gears and slowed down the contest when the Warriors were ready to get rolling.
The Nuggets and Warriors each scored 27 points in the third quarter, but Denver’s counter to each Golden State run allowed their double-digit lead to hold.
Defining Play: With three minutes left in the quarter, Westbrook established Gordon on a backdoor cut for a layup, extending Denver’s lead to 10 and quieting the Chase Center crowd.
Fourth Quarter: Nuggets Finish Off the Win
Golden State made a last push in the fourth quarter. Curry hit a contested three-pointer over Gordon to bring the lead to six points with seven minutes remaining. But the Nuggets responded with a 10-2 run, due to Gordon’s presence in the paint and clutch mid-range shooting from Westbrook.
Denver’s defense tightened the screws down the stretch. Gordon’s versatility allowed him to switch onto Curry on important possessions, forcing Curry to take off-balance shots. Meanwhile, the Warriors’ defense was not able to stop Denver’s half-court offense from getting easy baskets in the paint.
Golden State’s fatigue became apparent in the last few minutes. Curry’s legs seemed heavy, and his shots started coming up short. Without another scoring threat, the Warriors could not make a final comeback.
Denver closed it out at the free-throw line and with smart clock management, earning the 114-105 victory.
Final Highlight: Gordon’s fast-break dunk with under a minute remaining sealed the victory and symbolized Denver’s dominance all night.
Key Performances
Aaron Gordon – 38 Points, 11 Rebounds, 5 Assists
Gordon was the most dominant player on the court, dominating the game at both ends. His scoring efficiency (14-of-21 from the field) and defense stood out as the game’s top performance.
Russell Westbrook – 18 Points, 10 Assists, 7 Rebounds
Westbrook was the perfect floor general, scoring and playmaking without taking care of the ball. His poise in the fourth quarter closed out the win.
Stephen Curry – 23 Points, 5 Assists, 4 Rebounds
Curry fought through clear fatigue. He was 8-of-22 from the field, 4-of-12 from three, but didn’t receive quite enough help from his teammates to complete the comeback.
Strategic Insights
Nuggets’ Depth
Denver’s victory without Jokić and Murray speaks volumes about their depth. Gordon took over the primary scoring role, while Westbrook’s leadership kept the offense intact. Off-the-bench contributions from Jackson and Nnaji were sufficient to maintain the lead.
Warriors’ Over-Reliance on Curry
Golden State’s over-dependence on Curry remains an glaring issue. When Curry was defended well, the Warriors could not keep up without Wiggins, Kuminga, and Green scoring consistently.
Defensive Switches
Denver’s defensive strategy of switching on screens and pressuring Curry was key. Getting the ball out of Curry’s hands and forcing Golden State’s secondary scorers to beat them ultimately won the game.
Fan Reactions
Warriors fans expressed disappointment on social media and fan forums, questioning the depth of the team and the diminishing offensive role of Green. Some called for a trade or lineup strategy change to reduce Curry’s workload.
Nuggets fans applauded Gordon’s breakout game, referencing his increasing confidence and ability to step up in the absence of Jokić and Murray.
Conclusion
The Denver Nuggets’ 114-105 victory over the Golden State Warriors on March 17, 2025, was a testament to their depth and determination. Gordon’s 38-point performance, Westbrook’s steadying presence, and Denver’s defensive adjustments highlighted the strength of a title aspirant.
For the Warriors, the inability to offer support for Curry and defensive lapses indicated areas they must address as the playoff drive gathers steam.
With the win, Denver solidifies their standing in the Western Conference, and there is mounting pressure on Golden State to find answers beyond Curry.
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