DENVER — There is no pride in a moral victory or much solace to take when it seems referees take a game into their own hands.
But the Warriors were OK with the way they played in a 120-114 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Christmas afternoon. Mostly, the Warriors’ postgame locker room was abuzz with criticism over the way this game was officiated.
The Nuggets took 32 free throws to the Warriors’ 23, but the true turning point was Nikola Jokic’s 14 second-half free throws that swung a spirited game into a foul frenzy. The Nuggets quickly landed in the bonus in the final quarter, and Jokic didn’t have to feel much contact to get a trip to the line.
Coach Steve Kerr went beyond blaming Monday’s grew of Courtney Kirkland, Tre Maddox and Michael Smith, instead pointing a finger at the rigidity of the rules they’re trained to follow. Those tuning in to a close game between the last two NBA champions on Christmas day got the gift of whistles upon whistles.
“If I were a fan, I wouldn’t have wanted to watch the second half of that game, it was disgusting,” Kerr said. “It was just baiting refs into calls, but the refs have to make those calls because that’s how they’re taught.
DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 25: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets defends Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors at Ball Arena on December 25, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
“I have a real problem with the way we’ve legislated defense out of the game in this league, Kerr added. “Players are really smart in this league and for over the last decade they’ve gotten smarter. We have enabled them and they are taking full advantage. It’s a parade to the free throw line.”
Foul trouble watch altered some of the Warriors rotations and kept key players off the floor. Rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis sat out most of the fourth quarter with five fouls. Andrew Wiggins — the player of the game with a team-high 22 points following a two-game absence — had five, too. Steph Curry had four fouls and Kevon Looney finished with three.
Curry had an off day, scoring 18 points on 7-for-21 from the field with just one free throw attempted. Jokic, meanwhile, was having an off night, going 1-for-5 from the field in the first half, until he started paving a path to the free throw line. Curry was asked if a punitive whistle takes defense out of the game.
“It does cater to the guys that can sell calls,” Curry said. “This physicality, it’s tough because it’s inconsistent at times on either side. … A night like tonight, you feel like there’s physicality on one side and tick-tack on the other, and then they get into the bonus and it changes the complexity of the game. It’s not like we don’t foul, not saying that. It’s just inconsistent.”
The Warriors’ loss snapped a five-game winning streak, but they can keep pulling at some positive threads after this loss. They went toe-to-toe with the defending champions playing at near full strength with Curry and Klay Thompson struggling, and Draymond Green serving his indefinite suspension. Golden State’s bench was the star as it overshadowed the Nuggets’ young and vulnerable counterpart.
DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 25: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors drives past Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on December 25, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
Brandin Podziemski, the starter, had a season-high five steals, nine rebounds, six assists and 13 points. Chris Paul was a plus-13 with 13 points and four assists.
“We played well enough despite how I shot the ball,” Curry said. “We got a chance to win, so those are tough ones to swallow when you didn’t play as well as you could have or as efficient as you could have defensively.
“Our second unit was phenomenal again tonight, but couldn’t open the game up because the game was slowed down.”
This was no Christmas Day special; the Warriors have a storied, toxic bond with foul trouble. The Los Angeles Lakers used their size advantage to bury them in free throws during the Western Conference Semifinals last year, and it’s been a recurring issue through bad stretches this year. Golden State runs smaller than the rest, which means defensive intensity can often turn into overcompensation and a whistle.
Kerr and the rest bristled at this loss falling out of their control, a bump in the Warriors turning a corner at last.
The Warriors have a seven-game homestand coming up, returning to play the Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks and Orlando Magic first.
