Golden State Warriors vs Denver Nuggets
PREVIEW: The Denver Nuggets kick off their 2025-26 season with a high-stakes road matchup against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center, promising an electrifying Western Conference showdown. The Nuggets enter the game with an intriguing roster featuring new additions like Cam Johnson, Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Jonas Valančiūnas. They come in with impressive recent history, having won nine of their last ten matchups against Golden State dating back to the 2022-23 season. With a healthy roster and strategic acquisitions like Bruce Brown, who offers strong perimeter defense and chemistry with Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets are poised to challenge the Warriors.
The Warriors enter the game riding momentum from their season-opening victory against the Lakers, where Jimmy Butler turned back the clock with 31 points, Stephen Curry contributed a composed 23, and Draymond Green displayed his defensive and playmaking prowess with nine assists. Golden State will face significant challenges matching up with Denver's size, particularly with Draymond Green starting at center and the Nuggets boasting Jonas Valančiūnas, who finished last season fourth in rebounding percentage. The Warriors' offense remains versatile, capable of creating mismatches and generating dynamic off-ball movement that could challenge the Nuggets' defense. With home court advantage and a desire to defend their turf, the Warriors will be equally motivated to make a statement in this critical early-season matchup.