The game was right there for the taking for the Denver Nuggets.
But instead, the Golden State Warriors turned it on in the fourth quarter and came away with a 102-98 win and eliminated the Nuggets in game five of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
The Nuggets carried a 78-70 lead going into the fourth quarter. Warriors guard Gary Payton II hit a three-pointer with 6:57 to go to put the Warriors on top, 86-84. Golden State would not relinquish that lead.
The Warriors outscored the Nuggets 32-20 in the final quarter.
Denver left points at the free throw line, making only 20-of-28 attempts and hitting only 6-of-31 shots from three points range. Golden State was 13-31 from beyond the arc.
Nuggets center Nikola Jokic had 30 points, 19 rebounds and eight assists. DeMarcus Cousins had 19 points in 15 minutes. Aaron Gordon closed out with 15 points and nine rebounds.
MORE ON THE NUGGETS LOSS HERE
Postgame comments from Nuggets center Nikola Jokic:
Postgame comments from Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon:
Postgame comments from Nuggets forward Will Barton:
Postgame comments from Nuggets guard Monte Morris:
Postgame comments from Nuggets center DeMarcus Cousins:
Postgame comments from Nuggets head coach Michael Malone:
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