The NBA action on February 22, 2026 featured a major Western Conference clash as the Denver Nuggets visited the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center in San Francisco. This game carried strong playoff implications, with Denver aiming to strengthen its position among the top teams in the West, while Golden State continued its fight to stay inside the Play-In zone.
The Nuggets entered the matchup in excellent form, coming off a dominant 157-point performance in their previous game and holding one of the best road records in the league. Their offense has been the most productive in the NBA this season, led by the all-around brilliance of Nikola Jokic.
The Warriors, on the other hand, were dealing with a major setback as Stephen Curry remained out, which significantly impacted their scoring ability. Golden State has struggled offensively without its superstar, averaging just around 104 points per game in his absence. With Denver’s high-powered attack and better recent momentum, the matchup leaned in favor of the visiting side despite the Warriors’ home-court advantage.
Match Details
| Match | Denver Nuggets vs Golden State Warriors |
|---|---|
| Date | February 22, 2026 |
| Time | 3:30 PM ET |
| Venue | Chase Center, San Francisco |
| TV | ABC |
| Streaming | NBA League Pass |
Latest Standings
| Team | Record | Conference Rank | Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nuggets | 36–21 | 3rd West | Won last game |
| Warriors | 29–28 | 8th West | Lost last game |
Denver strengthened its top-three position, while Golden State remained in the Play-In battle.
Team Performance Comparison
| Category | Nuggets | Warriors |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 120.9 (No.1 in NBA) | 115.4 |
| Field Goal % | 49.6% | — |
| Road Record | 21–10 | — |
| Record without Curry | — | 6–11 |
Denver’s elite offensive efficiency has been the key difference this season.
Injury Report
Denver Nuggets
- Aaron Gordon – Out (hamstring)
- Peyton Watson – Out (hamstring)
- Jamal Murray – Questionable / Game-time decision
- Jalen Pickett – Out
Golden State Warriors
- Stephen Curry – Out (knee)
- Jimmy Butler – Out for season (ACL)
- Kristaps Porzingis – Day-to-day
- Multiple rotation players sidelined
Golden State’s offensive struggles have been directly linked to Curry’s absence.
Key Players to Watch
Denver Nuggets
- Nikola Jokic: Around 30 PPG, 12+ RPG, 10+ APG – triple-double threat and MVP-level leader
- Jamal Murray: Around 25 PPG if available
- Michael Porter Jr.: Secondary scoring option
- Team averages the highest scoring output in the league
Golden State Warriors
- Kristaps Porzingis: Expected to take a bigger offensive role
- Brandin Podziemski: Emerging contributor
- De’Anthony Melton: Two-way support
Without Curry, Golden State depends heavily on collective scoring rather than a primary star.
Head-to-Head Record
| Category | Result |
|---|---|
| All-time series | Nuggets lead |
| This season | Series split before this game |
| Last 5 meetings | Nuggets won 4 |
| Feb 22, 2026 | Nuggets won |
Denver has dominated recent matchups with an average winning margin of over 7 points.
Betting Odds & Trends
| Market | Line |
|---|---|
| Spread | Nuggets -6.5 |
| Moneyline | Nuggets around -240 |
| Over/Under | 229.5 |
Key Trends
- Over has hit in 8 of the last 10 Nuggets games
- Warriors have gone 3–7 ATS in their last 10
- Denver is strong as a road favorite (12–9 ATS)
- Golden State struggles to score without Curry
Best Picks & Prediction
Denver’s offensive strength, road performance, and Golden State’s injury issues made the visitors the clear favorite. The Nuggets’ scoring depth and Jokic’s playmaking ability were expected to control the game.
Best Pick: Nuggets -6.5
Lean: Over 229.5
Player Prop: Nikola Jokic Over 9.5 Assists
Projected Score: Nuggets 120 – Warriors 112
This matchup highlighted the difference between a championship-level offense and a team missing its primary scorer. Denver’s efficiency, ball movement, and road consistency proved too strong, while Golden State continued to struggle to keep pace without Stephen Curry.
For the Nuggets, the win reinforced their status as a top contender in the Western Conference. For the Warriors, getting healthy remains the key if they want to secure a Play-In spot and stay competitive in the second half of the season.
