Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors: How did Nikola Jokić’s 3rd-quarter surge and the bench swing control the game at Ball Arena?

The Denver Nuggets moved to 48-28 after a 116-93 result over the Golden State Warriors, who slipped to 36-39, and the Denver Nuggets vs Golden State Warriors final score reflected a third-quarter separation at Ball Arena.

First quarter

The Golden State Warriors opened with 28 points in the first quarter while the Denver Nuggets had 23, and the game featured 9 ties and 11 lead changes overall.

The Nuggets created extra chances early with 11 steals on the night and turned those takeaways into part of 22 points off turnovers.

Second quarter

The Nuggets matched their first-quarter output with 23 points in the second quarter while the Warriors added 25, and Denver reached halftime with 31 assists forming the backbone of its half-court execution.

Nikola Jokić logged 25 points and 15 rebounds, and Jamal Murray added 20 points and 7 assists as Denver kept its offense connected through the middle quarters.

Third quarter

Denver’s 40-point third quarter flipped the game’s shape after Golden State scored 21 in the period, and the Nuggets’ 48 percent shooting from 3-point range showed up in the burst.

Jokić added 8 assists to keep shooters and cutters involved, and Denver’s bench contributed 43 points to stretch the gap during the run for this Denver Nuggets vs Golden State Warriors full match report.

Fourth quarter

The Nuggets closed with 30 points in the fourth quarter while the Warriors scored 19, and Denver’s 50 percent overall field goal shooting held as the lead reached 23.

Golden State finished with 29 assists and 14 made 3-pointers, but the Warriors’ 15 turnovers fed Denver’s transition chances in a Denver Nuggets vs Golden State Warriors scoreline review.

Tim Hardaway Jr. produced 16 points off Denver’s perimeter spacing, and Peyton Watson supplied 5 assists as the Nuggets finished a post game analysis anchored by 4 blocks and 48 total rebounds.

The Nuggets are scheduled to play the Utah Jazz at Delta Center in Salt Lake City on 4/1/2026 at 9:00 PM EDT, with broadcasts listed on KJZZ, Jazz+, ALT2, and KTVD.

Run it back for more recap coverage, and share this article with other Nuggets fans.