The 2025-26 NBA season has started off on a high note, to put it plainly.
After a wildly entertaining duel and eventual overtime finish, Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors eked out a 137-131 victory over Nikola Jokić, Aaron Gordon and the Denver Nuggets on Thursday.
Curry racked up 35 of his 42 points on the evening in the second half and overtime to overcome Gordon’s career-high 50 point night on 10-for-11 shooting from three-point range.
Following the instant classic, AltitudeTV’s Katy Winge learned that Golden State had made an interesting decision to recognize Gordon’s incredible outing in the loss, a proposal which was instantly denied by the 12-year veteran.
“They (were) asking if I wanted the game ball,” Gordon shared with Winge in the post-game media scrum.
“No, I don’t want the game ball. I don’t want to take an ‘L’ home with me. No, thank you.”
“We’re going to reconvene, watch the film and go back home and try to play better in our home-opener.”
Gordon nearly pushed the Nuggets over the top to spoil Golden State’s home-opener single-handedly, and the Warriors made an offer to recognize his sensational performance despite the defeat.
The 30-year-old Bay Area native’s declination of the Warriors’ offer speaks to his ultra-competitive mindset and refusal to accept individual accolades over team success.
If it wasn’t for Curry’s mind-boggling second half and several cold-blooded shots to keep the Warriors within striking distance, Gordon’s lights-out shooting from distance and overall dominant display of offensive consistency certainly would have led the Nuggets to a 1-0 beginning to the young season.
Unfortunately for the 6-foot-8 combo-forward, the Warriors’ 37-year-old future Hall of Fame could not be denied down the stretch, proving to the NBA world that he’s still at the peak of his powers in season No. 17.
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