DENVER — If you were wondering how the Denver Nuggets would respond to teams that have beaten them this year, David Adelman’s group gave you a rousing answer on Friday, in the form of a 129-104 blowout of the Golden State Warriors.
Sure, the Dubs were down two future Hall of Famers in Steph Curry and Al Horford, but it was the first time this season the Nuggets have played a team twice, let alone one of the two that have beaten them. Even without the stars, there was no dip from Denver’s dudes, busting the Warriors from the jump by winning the first quarter 32-21 and resting their stars down the stretch. It was a notable response given the brutal overtime loss against the Warriors in the season-opener, powered by Curry’s shooting.
The Nuggets’ 3-point shooting came alive on Friday, knocking down 12 in the first half and ending the game with 16 makes on 33 attempts. Denver has struggled to shoot earlier, recording more games shooting below 30% than sparking above 33% early on. Part of the barrage was the first two makes of the season from Jonas Valanciunas, who sparked a 19-3 second-quarter run. It was in response to a 13-0 spurt by the Warriors, which covered the start of the second quarter and the beginning of the bench minutes.
David Adelman called a timeout, changed the lineup by reinserting Jamal Murray as well as a few other starters and refocused the team around Valanciunas.
“As a second unit, we have to manage it and at least keep the lead. Our starters do a great job, and we have to maintain that,” Valanciunas said. “Jamal is such a good player and draws attention.”
Murray also banged a few triples in that stretch, part of his five on the game — scoring 23 points on 12 shots.
“We’re playing at a good pace, Nikola Jokic is the best player and playmaker in the world, and we’re just playing free, fast and defense. We gotta stay consistent with that focus.”
Jokic was the leader of the cruise control crew. Easing his way to 26 points on 15 shots with nine rebounds and nine assists. The Nuggets led by as much as 28 and never trailed in the second half — a trend that’s stayed consistent through all five home games.
“Nikola is playing fantastic basketball,” Valanciunas said. “It’s hard to describe, so I’m happy for him. I’ll do everything that I need to do to hold that second unit.”
Valanciunas finished with 16 points, a season-high, and the fourth time a Nuggets center not-named Jokic has scored 15 or more in a game since the start of 2020-21. He has a season-best 16. His 4th time in double figures in Denver’s first 8. Last year, Denver had 5 five games where one of their backup Cs scored 10+.
“It’s crazy efficient, our two centers tonight, a really good night from that position,” Adelman said.
Aaron Gordon’s highlight play
In the third quarter, Aaron Gordon brought down Ball Arena with a crossover over Buddy Hield that ended with a dunk over Quinten Post. It was part of his 18-point game.
AARON GORDON, ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?
This crossover-poster slam combo was the stuff of video games 🤯🕹️
🏆 GSW-DEN • West Group C
📺 @emirates NBA Cup on Prime: https://t.co/XdHc2HIly1 pic.twitter.com/jp6OtouAgj
— NBA (@NBA) November 8, 2025
Cameron Johnson concerns
The Nuggets’ newest starter went scoreless for the first time this year, but was nearly a team-best at plus-25 while on the court. He made a few nice passes, tossing four assists.
“We’re the Denver Nuggets, and we have a top whatever offense, and he’s a plus 25 and moving the ball well, his shot will fall,” David Adelman said. “If you stop and you backpedal and worry about numbers of certain people, you’re not looking at the whole picture of who we are. And I know what you’re saying to get him going is one thing for him, just to play the right way is really all that matters… I’d rather win games and do it efficiently and let people just work their way into what we do and not worry about just one person.”
What’s next for the Nuggets?
The Nuggets wrap up their four-game homestand on Saturday, hosting the 1-7 Indiana Pacers. It made a lot of sense that this would be the first game Denver rested its starters this year, being the season’s first back-to-back, but because the team did not need to play its main group in the fourth quarter on Friday, will the Nuggets actually play everyone? Denver has another back-to-back midweek too, on the road in Sacramento and in Inglewood on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Nuggets’ next NBA Cup game is not for two weeks; they’re 1-1 through their first two games.
“I think it’s cool, it’s a great idea. I do know it’s one of those things where you look at it, not as part of the 82, but you have to,” Adelman said. “It’s cool if you get out of the group, if you don’t, it puts you in a weird spot since you don’t really know, your schedules are going, and all those kinds of things. I’ll admit, when I first heard about I didn’t know what to think of it. It’s been really cool over the last couple of years, especially when it gets down to Vegas, the tournament style, and it gives people something to really play for early.
“I look around sports in general, what baseball has done to make themselves better, I think the Cup is just another way for us to make ourselves better. You can’t just stay stuck in the mud and say, ‘Oh, traditionally, we never have done this.’ You’ve got to try things. And so far, I think the guys are really into it. And obviously, the TV ratings and the courts and all this stuff have been really cool for the fans.”
