Denver (AP)— The Denver Nuggets defeated the Golden State Warriors 108-105 on Wednesday night thanks to a weary Nikola Jokic’s 35 points and 13 rebounds in over 36 minutes.

The defending champion Nuggets improved to an NBA-best 8-1 overall and 6-0 at home with 20 points from Reggie Jackson, who replaced Jamal Murray.

To help a struggling bench, Jokic played the whole third quarter. He worked hard to defend against Warriors big man Kevon Looney. As the Nuggets led 107-105 with 15 seconds left, Jokic missed two free throws.

Stephen Curry’s lane floater to tie it went out of bounds. Jackson made one of two free throws with 3.5 seconds left, and Klay Thompson missed a buzzer shot.

“I thought we competed at a high level,” Thompson added. We were right there, gave ourselves a chance to win in a hard place.”

For Denver, Michael Porter Jr. scored 17 points and Aaron Gordon 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Curry, the Western Conference player of the week, was harassed all night by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and scored 23 points. Thompson had 15.

Denver trailed five early in the fourth quarter but recovered behind Jackson and Jokic after leading 12 in the first half.

Bench strength kept the Warriors close. The Golden State reserves beаt the Denver backups 42-12.

“Our bench struggled tonight,” stated Michael Malone, Nuggets coach. I didn’t think our young guys were ready to play tonight. I’ve never seen that this season; they’ll learn.”

Malone chose Justin Holiday over a younger player in the fourth quarter.

I’m no Salvation Army. Not just minutes, Malone remarked. “You must keep earning minutes.”

Murray’s injured right hamstring kept the Nuggets short-handed for a second straight game. The Warriors were without Draymond Green for personal reasons and Gary Payton II for sickness.

Curry vs. Jokic was the show within the show.

Jokic had five assists, including a pass to a cutting Jackson to make it 105-102 with 1:09 left. Jokic also planned to shoot more against Golden State. Finishing 14 of 25, he shot 1 of 8 from 3 point.

“He approaches games differently,” Looney said. “He seemed аggressive today.”

Curry shot 6 of 13 from beyond the arc. He’s made four or more 3-pointers in nine straight games to start the season.

It was a tough figҺt. Warriors coach Steve Kerr claimed his team competed and had a chance to win. “Tough way to finish but couldn’t be prouder of them and excited about our team.”

Up next

The Warriors host Cleveland on Saturday after seven of their first nine away.

Sunday night in Houston for the Nuggets.