By defeating the Denver Nuggets 102-98 in the fifth game of the series, the Golden State Warriors have officially advanced to the Western Conference semifinals. Stephen Curry topped the scoring charts for his team with 30 points, and Gary Payton II proved pivotal in the fourth quarter. Despite a strong 30-point effort from the reigning MVP Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets couldn't hold on. Golden State's next opponent in the West will be either the Minnesota Timberwolves or the Memphis Grizzlies.
Both the Milwaukee Bucks, the defending champions, and a returning Golden State Warriors have punched their tickets to the second round of the NBA playoffs, each winning their series 4-1. Giannis Antetokounmpo spearheaded the Bucks' effort with 33 points, helping them comfortably beat the Chicago Bulls 116-100 and securing a future matchup against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference.
Having entered the game with a 3-0 series advantage before losing Game 4 on the road, the Warriors showed great resilience in the fourth quarter to win a thrilling game at the Chase Center. Denver stayed in the fight until the end of the third quarter, largely thanks to Nikola Jokic, whose precision and leadership gave the Nuggets an eight-point cushion at the break.
However, the Warriors took control in the final quarter, outscoring the Nuggets 32-20. Gary Payton II emerged as the X-factor, contributing 10 essential points that paved the way for a dramatic victory.
This win marks Golden State's first successful playoff series since 2019, following two years of missing the postseason entirely. While Stephen Curry handled the scoring load, Draymond Green played a massive role in organizing the defense to neutralize the threat posed by Jokic.
In the closing moments, Golden State tightened their defense, limiting the Nuggets to a mere 20 points in the fourth. Under head coach Steve Kerr, the Warriors have now improved their record in closeout games to 20-8. Historically, they are nearly unstoppable when leading a series 3-1, boasting a 16-1 record, with their only collapse occurring during the 2016 Finals.
While the Nuggets have a history of fighting back from 3-1 deficits in elimination games, they weren't able to force a Game 6 this time. It was a bittersweet season for Jokic, who carried the team almost single-handedly while missing key stars Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. for most of the year. His effort was historic, but if the Nuggets return next season with a fully healthy roster, the outcome of this matchup could easily be reversed.