Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) is defended by Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green (23), Andrew Wiggins, left, and Kevon Looney (5) during the first half of Game 5 at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Wed Apr 26, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Head Into the Second Round of Playoffs Beating Denver 102-98

By Barbara Mason

The Golden State Warriors were primed and ready to put an end to the first round of the playoffs at the expense of the Denver Nuggets 102-98. Leading the series 3-1 the Warriors closed this out at Chase Center tonight. The Nuggets were playing for their playoff lives.

The starting lineup for Golden State included Stephen Curry for the first time since he was sidelined at the end of the season. Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole round out the starting lineup.The Warriors were focused on the slow footed Nuggets namely Nikola Jokic and DeMarcus Cousins.

Game 5 recap: As the first quarter came to an end the Warriors held a 30-25 lead. Nikola Jokic finished the first quarter three of eight with six points which was a win for the Warriors. Aaron Gordon was having a great start with 12 points to start the game and the Warriors would have to contain him somehow.

Curry had eight points to start the game and Wiggins, Poole and Thompson had six points apiece.

The Warriors ball movement to start the second quarter was keeping the Nuggets off balance. Poole was having a far better game than Game four shooting at 50% through the first and into the early minutes of the second. Mid-way through the quarter it was Denver’s Gordon that was keeping the Nuggets in the game. So far Jokic had not even factored in this game.

With under two minutes left in the half, the Nuggets took their first lead since early in the first quarter 46-45. The Nugget defense had gotten the Warriors off their game and Golden State was struggling offensively.

It was tied at 48-48 after two quarters of less than optimal basketball. In reality both teams struggled offensively in the first half and it was downright ugly at times. Denver and Golden State were shooting at 40%. Whichever team could get on track offensively would win this game. Close out games are never easy. The Nuggets dictated the pace of this game and the Warriors needed to disrupt this in the second half.

It was a slow start in the third quarter for the Warriors and Golden State was in deep trouble trailing by ten points. The Nuggets were executing their game plan to perfection and continued to dictate play. In the middle of the quarter the tables turned and the Warriors went on an 11-2 run and trailed the Nuggets by a single point 68-67.

Jokic had to sit out because of foul trouble and the Warriors were trying to take full advantage with him on the bench. As the third quarter came to an end the Nuggets had repelled the Warriors run and taken a 78-70 lead.

DeMarcus Cousins made a whole lot of noise in the fourth quarter. With Jokic on the bench to start the final quarter Cousins came in late in the third quarter and scored 19 points in 13 minutes. With 7:43 left in the game Jokic had five fouls.

The Chase crowd that had been relatively quiet for most of the game came to life in the final six minutes of this game with the Warriors leading 88-84. With two minutes left in the game the score was tied at 90.

The Nuggets would throw the ball away and Golden State would cash in courtesy of who else Steph Curry with a two point shot. It was crunch time at Chase. At 1:06 Gary Payton II hit a three and Curry the closer followed it up with a two point shot and the 99-94 lead.

Curry would hit three free throws for a final of 102-98. It was on to the second round of the playoffs, the Warriors the first in the Western Conference to advance . They will now get some much needed rest

“It’s the best time of year. I love this time of the year. It’s what we all go for. It’s physical, the referees let you bump a little more and that’s right in my wheel house,” said Green after the game. He finished with 11 points and quarterbacked his team to the win. “People are watching all over world and I cherish that and am looking forward to going on to the next round,” said Green.

Curry finished with 30 points. Gary Payton II was a huge part of this win with 15 points off the bench hitting a 27-foot three point jumper with 1-06 left in the game.

The Warriors await either Memphis or Minnesota and we can only hope for a seven game series in that one.