The Golden State Warriors were at home and had won seven straight games before facing the Denver Nuggets. In case you didn’t know, they lacked three starters, including the three-time MVP Nikola Jokic and his trusted teammate Jamal Murray. It was set up for the Warriors to claim a victory and strengthen their position as the sixth seed. Instead, they left themselves wide open still as the Nuggets stunned the Warriors.

Without the Joker, Murray, or even Braun, the Nuggets were depleted in firepower. They were no match for Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler. But in the NBA, it’s hard to beat any time that captures momentum. Not only did the Nuggets do that, but Green reminded the reporters of a key reason they could do so.

“Definitely but they still have an MVP. Still have high-caliber players. We just got to be better in that situation. I think they did a lot of things to screw us up. Once the team gets into a rhythm there, they got some really good NBA players over there. So once a team gets into a rhythm it’s hard to break it and they got into a rhythm fast,” Green said after the loss.

That former MVP was Russell Westbrook. Brodie didn’t shoot the ball particularly well. However, he can still weave the floor to his liking on any given night. In Jokic’s absence, he went off for the triple-double, throwing 16 dimes. Aaron Gordon took on the scoring onus, going off for a season-high 38 points.

As for the Warriors, Jimmy Butler added 23. But the team shot themselves with turnovers and regular mistakes. Stephen Curry could only make four of his 14 attempts from three. Considering the offensive misbalance that existed with Jokic out, the Warriors were significant favorites to dominate tonight.

But in basketball, the players only matter so much. What drives teams to being great and winning games is the determination to be successful. The Nuggets were brimming with it. On the other hand, the Warriors couldn’t find it all night.

Steve Kerr didn’t see winning basketball from the Warriors

The Warriors had to seize their chance to solidify their postseason qualification. Without the Nuggets’ heavy hitters, the chance had presented itself. But Michael Malone seemed to have a clear message for his team. They weren’t to concede defeat before throwing everything they have on the Warriors.

Fortunately, the Bay didn’t expect it. Or maybe they weren’t ready to absorb the early pressure that the Nuggets would send their way. Hence, Steve Kerr admitted the “right team” won. And as far as what went wrong, the renowned head coach felt Denver missing their stars is what conjured the Warriors’ lack of energy tonight.

“Yeah, just overall execution you know body language was bad. These are always tough nights like I said you go into the game and the other team’s best players are out. There’s like this natural letdown. Even though you raise it up, talk about it but we got what we deserved,” Steve Kerr said.

As it happened, the Warriors seemed to lack the conviction needed to win against a far-from-best Denver Nuggets team. Their turnovers and play were sloppy. Without the right focus and intention, it’s hard to overcome any NBA team, let alone one of the top teams in the Western Conference.

Their shortcomings cultivated tension at the Chase Center. Fans caught a glimpse of what seemed to be a heated argument between Jimmy Butler and Buddy Hield. It wasn’t those two from the Warriors who felt the same way. The whole group had a tough night as they never engaged themselves fully against the Nuggets.

But the Warriors still have games in hand. This can be a lesson on the things they can’t afford to do as they approach the final window for Stephen Curry and Co. to win a championship.