Warriors Brace for Jokić & Nuggets in Home Opener

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Warriors Brace for Jokić & Nuggets in Home Opener

The Golden State Warriors open their home schedule looking to set a tone for the season as they host the Denver Nuggets — a team led by three-time MVP Nikola Jokić.

Setting the Stage

Golden State kicked off their season with a win on the road, but this home opener presents a much stiffer challenge. Jokić is coming off an impressive campaign, one in which he averaged near triple-double numbers and remains one of the premier big men in the league. The Nuggets, meanwhile, underwent some roster tweaks, including the addition of Cam Johnson while retaining veterans like Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon.

Match-Up Lemons for the Warriors

Head coach Steve Kerr and the Warriors recognize this is less about opening night and more about measuring up. As Curry put it: “We know how we started last year, and where it went from there. … The way the preseason went was kind of interesting … This week is kind of the same vibe, with Denver and Portland back-to-back.”

Golden State may also tweak its starting lineup for defensive matchups, possibly pivoting to veteran Al Horford to better contest Jokić and relieve Draymond Green from direct assignments.

What this Game Means

For the Warriors, this isn’t just about grabbing another early win — it’s about demonstrating that they’re still positioned among the elite. Avoiding the mid-season slump that haunted them last year is a key theme.
For the Nuggets, coming into the Warriors’ home court and establishing dominance early would send a message to the rest of the Western Conference.

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