Mile High Tape · Morning

Denver's Passing Survived the Warriors. Its Wing Depth Did Not

A 20-point home loss showed Jokic and Murray can still run the offense, but without Johnson, Diallo and Jones the defense has nothing to lean on.

By the Nuggets Nightly Desk · Tuesday, October 27

Golden State scored 40 in the third quarter and won 134-114 in Denver, dropping the Nuggets to 1-2 and 10th in the West. Relief may come Wednesday in New Orleans, where Cameron Johnson, Alpha Diallo and Spencer Jones all carry October 28 return estimates.

Nuggets Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Where the night turned

Denver led 60-56 at halftime. The Warriors then went on a 9-0 run early in the third, scored 40 in the period and stretched the margin to 24. Yaxel Lendeborg finished with 31 and 12 rebounds, going 12 of 13 at the line, and Stephen Curry made all eight of his shots. Mile High Sports' Ryan Blackburn called the defense porous. Four of Golden State's top five scorers shot 50 percent or better.

The passing was not the problem

Nikola Jokic had 11 assists and Jamal Murray had eight while shooting 8 for 13. DeMar DeRozan scored 21 off the bench. Scoring 114 at home is enough on most nights. The leak was at the other end, where Bryce Hopkins played 31 minutes in a role meant for the injured wings and finished minus-21, the worst mark on the team.

Who comes back Wednesday?

Diallo's wrist was upgraded from out on October 27. Johnson's right ankle and Jones's hamstring carry the same October 28 estimate. Strawther stays out until about November 29. In 2025-26 the five of Gordon, Jokic, Murray, Johnson and Braun posted a +13.5 net rating. Johnson is the piece that turns Hopkins' minutes back into a connected group.

A rematch with a team still searching

New Orleans is 0-3 and lost 141-135 in Denver on October 24, the night Murray scored 42. The Pelicans will be without Yves Missi. Both teams come in on one day of rest. Denver then plays at Phoenix on October 30 in an Emirates NBA Cup game. RealGM listed the Nuggets among teams that could have interest in Porter Jr., and nothing further has been reported. The open question is whether Adelman gets three wings back at once or keeps asking rookies to guard starters.

When is Cameron Johnson expected back for the Nuggets?

His right ankle carries an estimated return of October 28, the night Denver plays at New Orleans.

Who led the Nuggets in the 134-114 loss to the Warriors?

DeMar DeRozan scored 21 off the bench. Nikola Jokic added 19 with 11 assists.

By the Nuggets Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.