The Denver Nuggets (36-21) face the Golden State Warriors (29-27) in a Western Conference matchup on Sunday, February 22, 2026. The Nuggets, third in the West and dealing with injuries but led by Nikola Jokic’s triple-double averages, visit a Warriors team that’s eighth in the conference but severely depleted without Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler III. Denver enters as a solid favorite, with Golden State’s recent struggles and absences tilting the scales. Below is a comprehensive breakdown, including team analysis and betting insights.
Venue Location
Chase Center, San Francisco, California.
This 18,064-capacity arena, home to the Warriors since 2019, has seen Golden State post an 18-11 home record this season, though their form has dipped lately.
Tip[off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET (12:30 p.m. PST).
The game will be broadcast nationally on ABC, with radio coverage on SiriusXM, KNBR (for GSW), and Altitude Sports Radio (for DEN).
Recent Team Forms
The Nuggets are 5-5 in their last 10 games, showing balance but hampered by injuries. The Warriors are 4-6 in their last 10, with eight losses in their last 12, including two straight defeats.
Here’s a summary of their last five games:
| Team | Date | Opponent | Result | Key Notes |
| DEN | Feb 20, 2026 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 120-110 | Jokic: 28 pts, 12 reb, 11 ast; Strong rebounding edge. |
| DEN | Feb 18, 2026 | @ Utah Jazz | L 112-118 | Murray: 25 pts; Defensive lapses in fourth quarter. |
| DEN | Feb 11, 2026 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 125-115 | Jokic triple-double; High-scoring win. |
| DEN | Feb 8, 2026 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 105-112 | Gordon absent; Struggled inside. |
| DEN | Feb 5, 2026 | vs. LA Clippers | W 118-108 | Balanced scoring; 6-4 last 10 overall. |
| GSW | Feb 20, 2026 | vs. LA Lakers | L 110-115 | Porzingis: 12 pts; Second straight loss. |
| GSW | Feb 18, 2026 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 108-112 | Without Curry; Defensive issues. |
| GSW | Feb 11, 2026 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 112-105 | Team effort; Snapped skid. |
| GSW | Feb 8, 2026 | @ LA Clippers | L 100-110 | Butler out; Low scoring. |
| GSW | Feb 5, 2026 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 115-110 | 4-6 last 10; Over in 3 straight. |
Denver averages 118 PPG in wins but dips to 108 in losses; Golden State has hit the over in three straight but scores under 110 in recent defeats.
Injury Report
Injuries significantly impact both teams, but Golden State’s absences are more crippling, removing their top scorers.
- Denver Nuggets:
- Out: Tamar Bates (left foot surgery).
- Out: Aaron Gordon (right hamstring strain).
- Questionable: Jamal Murray (right hamstring tightness).
- Out: Jalen Pickett (right knee soreness).
- Out: Peyton Watson (right hamstring strain).
- Key players like Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr. are available.
- Golden State Warriors:
- Out: Jimmy Butler III (right ACL surgery).
- Out: LJ Cryer (G League – Two-Way).
- Out: Seth Curry (left sciatic nerve irritation).
- Out: Stephen Curry (right patellofemoral pain syndrome).
- Out: Malevy Leons (G League – Two-Way).
- Probable: Kristaps Porzingis (left Achilles tendon injury management).
- Out: Nate Williams (G League – Two-Way).
- Absences remove 50+ PPG combined from Curry and Butler.
Key
Player Matchups
Without Curry and Butler, Golden State lacks perimeter threats, putting pressure on Denver’s defense.
- Nikola Jokic (DEN) vs. Kristaps Porzingis (GSW): Jokic (28.6 PPG, 12.3 RPG, 10.7 APG) dominates with triple-doubles; Porzingis (debuted with 12 pts) provides spacing but struggles defensively against Jokic’s playmaking.
- Jamal Murray (DEN, if plays) vs. Brandin Podziemski (GSW): Murray (22 PPG) exploits mismatches; Podziemski steps up but lacks Murray’s clutch scoring.
- Michael Porter Jr. (DEN) vs. Andrew Wiggins (GSW): Porter’s shooting (20 PPG, 40% 3PT) stretches the floor; Wiggins must contain him to limit Denver’s offense.
- Other Notes: Christian Braun (DEN) could feast on GSW’s weakened backcourt; Draymond Green (GSW) anchors defense but faces Denver’s rebounding edge.
Series History
The all-time series favors Golden State (102-92), but this season they’ve split 1-1, with each winning at home. Denver won the last meeting 119-112 on January 15, 2026 (Jokic 30 pts); Golden State took the first 115-110 on November 20, 2025 (Curry 28 pts). In the last 10 games, it’s 6-4 Denver, including playoff edges from prior years.
Betting Trends
- Trends: Denver is 32-25 ATS overall and 15-13 ATS as 4.5+ point favorites.
Golden State is 24-31-1 ATS and 1-4 ATS as home underdogs.
The over has hit in 8 of Denver’s last 10 and 3 of Golden State’s last 5; Warriors hit team total over in 15 of last 20 home games (+9.2 units ROI).
Game Odds
Denver Nuggets – 6.5
Golden State Warriors 226.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, February 21, 2026
