Nuggets Hold Off Warriors, Kings Spoil Westbrook Debut
LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Juancho Hernangomez came up with the game-saving block Sunday as the Denver Nuggets held off the two-time defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors 100-98 in a thriller in Denver.
The unbeaten Nuggets handed the Warriors their first defeat of the young season, staking their claim to contender status in Western Conference.
The Warriors weren't the only Western power laid low on Sunday as the Los Angeles Clippers held on for a 115-112 victory over the Houston Rockets.
Less than a week into the season, the Nuggets top the West with a perfect 3-0 record.
Denver led by as many as 11 points in the fourth quarter, but the Warriors, led by 30 points from Stephen Curry, whittled the deficit, knotting the score at 97-97 with 1:29 remaining.
Three missed free throws by the Nuggets in the final 1:18 opened the door for the Warriors, but the visitors couldn't take advantage.
Draymond Green had a chance to tie the game when he missed one of two free throws with 10 seconds remaining and the Warriors trailed by two on their final possession.
Curry drove to the rim, drawing two defenders, and passed to Damian Jones.
As Jones rose for the shot, Hernangomez dived in to bat the ball away from behind.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said his team is not yet firing on all cylinders
"We're not where we need to be," said Kerr, whose Warriors led by as many as 12 in the first quarter, and by two at halftime, but were out-scored 33-21 in the third period.
Kerr was pleased with the Warriors' "competitive juice and spirit" but said their late push was doomed by sloppy play.
*****Sacramento's Willie Cauley-Stein defends a shot by Oklahoma City Thunder star Russell Westbrook in an NBA victory for the Kings
The unbeaten Nuggets handed the Warriors their first defeat of the young season, staking their claim to contender status in Western Conference.
The Warriors weren't the only Western power laid low on Sunday as the Los Angeles Clippers held on for a 115-112 victory over the Houston Rockets.
Less than a week into the season, the Nuggets top the West with a perfect 3-0 record.
Denver led by as many as 11 points in the fourth quarter, but the Warriors, led by 30 points from Stephen Curry, whittled the deficit, knotting the score at 97-97 with 1:29 remaining.
Three missed free throws by the Nuggets in the final 1:18 opened the door for the Warriors, but the visitors couldn't take advantage.
Draymond Green had a chance to tie the game when he missed one of two free throws with 10 seconds remaining and the Warriors trailed by two on their final possession.
Curry drove to the rim, drawing two defenders, and passed to Damian Jones.
As Jones rose for the shot, Hernangomez dived in to bat the ball away from behind.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said his team is not yet firing on all cylinders
"We're not where we need to be," said Kerr, whose Warriors led by as many as 12 in the first quarter, and by two at halftime, but were out-scored 33-21 in the third period.
Kerr was pleased with the Warriors' "competitive juice and spirit" but said their late push was doomed by sloppy play.
*****Sacramento's Willie Cauley-Stein defends a shot by Oklahoma City Thunder star Russell Westbrook in an NBA victory for the Kings