Warriors rout Nuggets 134-114 for first win as rookie Yaxel Lendeborg scores 31 and Stephen Curry goes 8-for-8

The Golden State Warriors are finally in the win column. Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg had 31 points and 12 rebounds, Stephen Curry didn’t miss a shot, and the Warriors beat the Denver Nuggets 134-114 on Monday night at Ball Arena.

The win improved Golden State to 1-3 and kept it from its first 0-4 start since 2007-08, the Associated Press reported. It was also the Warriors’ first regular-season win in Denver since March 10, 2022, according to NBC Sports Bay Area.

Warriors vs. Nuggets: key stats

Stats from the AP and NBC Sports Bay Area.

As a team, Golden State shot 54.1% from the field, made 22 of 44 3-pointers, had 31 assists and outrebounded Denver 50-36.

Who is Yaxel Lendeborg?

Lendeborg is a Warriors rookie out of Michigan, the AP said. He came in averaging 18.7 points and 8.3 rebounds, and Monday was the second double-double of his NBA career, per NBC Sports Bay Area.

His shooting from deep was off: he went 1 of 8 from 3-point range. But he did damage everywhere else, getting to the free-throw line 13 times and leading all scorers with 15 at halftime. His first-half highlight was a chase-down block on Christian Braun followed by a finish at the other end.

NBC Sports Bay Area reported that Lendeborg is just the third Warriors rookie with at least 31 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in a game. The other two are Hall of Famers Rick Barry and Wilt Chamberlain.

Stephen Curry’s perfect night

Curry had just three points at halftime on a single shot. Then he scored 17 points in about seven minutes of the third quarter, finishing with 21 of his 24 after the break, the AP said.

He went 8 of 8 from the floor. The NBA said it was the first time in his career he scored 20 or more points without missing a field goal, and NBC Sports Bay Area said it was his first game without a miss since 2011.

Curry, Green and Podziemski were all back after sitting out the previous game in Phoenix.

A rough night for Denver

Jokić was subbed out with 3:33 left and Denver trailing by 21. The Nuggets allowed 74 points after halftime, and some fans left early, according to the AP. Aaron Gordon was given a double technical in the fourth quarter and left the court. He had seven points.

Two nights earlier, Jokić had criticized fans for booing during the home opener, which Denver won 141-135 in overtime over New Orleans after falling behind by 23.

Denver played without Alpha Diallo (wrist), Cameron Johnson (ankle), Spencer Jones (hamstring) and Julian Strawther (knee).

What’s next

• Warriors: At the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.
• Nuggets: At the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night.

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