Nuggets Vs Warriors: Podziemski’s late surge lifts shorthanded Warriors to 128-117
In San Francisco on Feb. 22, 2026, the nuggets vs warriors game ended 128-117 as Brandin Podziemski scored 12 of his 18 points in the final five minutes to lift Golden State and snap a two-game skid.
Nuggets Vs Warriors: Podziemski finishes the rally
Brandin Podziemski finished with 18 points, shooting 7-of-16, and added 15 rebounds and nine assists in the Warriors’ 128-117 win at Chase Center. Podziemski scored 12 of those points in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter as Golden State closed on a 19-8 run to seal the victory.
How Golden State started and who was missing
The Warriors were shorthanded: Stephen Curry was out with a knee issue, Kristaps Porzingis was sick, Jimmy Butler (torn right ACL) was absent, and Draymond Green (back) was a late scratch. Golden State was playing its seventh straight game without Curry and still opened sharply, extending a first-half edge to 76-67.
Horford and the hot shooting burst
Al Horford hit six 3-pointers and finished with 22 points and seven assists. Horford got Golden State going early with a pair of 3-pointers and 11 first-quarter points, helping the Warriors shoot 9-for-19 from three in the opening frame and lead 39-27 after the first quarter.
Lineup, ball movement and early momentum
The Warriors’ starting five — Pat Spencer, DeAnthony Melton, Moses Moody, Gui Santos and Al Horford — came out firing, and Moses Moody finished with 23 points and seven rebounds while DeAnthony Melton added 20 points. Santos and rookie Will Richard helped fuel a flurry that left Golden State in front early, including an immediate 11-2 lead after Horford drained a pair of triples.
Jokić’s triple-double and Denver’s second-half push
Nikola Jokić finished with 25 points, 20 rebounds and 12 assists for Denver; it was his fifth triple-double in seven games, the 19th of the season and the 183rd of his career. Jamal Murray, a first-time All-Star, scored 21 points, Christian Braun had 18 and Bruce Brown added 12. Denver, which had beaten Portland by 54 on Friday and entered the game 36-21, never led in the first half but mounted a second-half run before Golden State’s 19-8 closing spurt.
Key moments before halftime and what followed
Late in the first half, Golden State extended its lead to 76-67 even as Jokić was one assist shy of his triple-double before halftime. The Warriors made 15 threes in the first half and set a season record for most points in a first half; at one point just over five minutes into the game the Nuggets had made six field goals and Jokić had assisted on all six.
Roster notes and pregame developments
Hours before tipoff the Warriors said recent trade acquisition Kristaps Porzingis, who had been set to play his second game with the team, was sick and would not make it to the arena; coach Steve Kerr said the illness sounded very serious and that Porzingis may not join the upcoming two-city road trip. Minutes before the game the team announced Draymond Green would not play because of a lower back injury. The Nuggets were missing Aaron Gordon but were otherwise healthy for the matchup.
What’s next
The Nuggets will host the Boston Celtics on Wednesday. The Warriors travel to face the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday. Porzingis’ status for the upcoming road trip is unclear in the provided context and team availability will determine any further lineup updates.
