Emotions were running high early in Monday night’s first-round playoff matchup between the Warriors and Nuggets.
With about two minutes left in the first quarter, Steph Curry tried to play peacemaker between Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic and Warriors guard Gary Payton II. As the two teams headed to their benches during a timeout, GP2 gave Jokic a pat on the butt and Jokic didn’t like it. Steph stepped in to try and calm down the 6-foot-11, 284-pound Jokic, while Payton just kept on walking.
The Warriors ended up claiming a 126-106 victory to take a 2-0 series lead in the Western Conference matchup.
A couple of possessions before the incident, Payton swatted Jokic. A couple possessions later, the pesky Payton ripped a steal from Jokic in the post.
Jokic is the MVP favorite but he was relatively quiet with 25 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in Game 1. More remarkable: he only shot two free throw attempts.
Jokic was much more aggressive to begin Game 2. Through the first quarter on Monday, Jokic already had 12 points and six rebounds on 4-of-6 shooting and 4-of-4 from the free-throw line.
Steph joked earlier this season that Payton is the tallest 6-foot-3 dude in the world and this is a great example why. He doesn’t back down from any challenge, not even an MVP who is eight inches taller and 90 pounds heavier.
"Gary's a fantastic defender," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after the game. "I thought he played really well tonight. Lot of ball pressure, he blocked a couple shots. He's in the fray all the time."
In all, Payton played 18 minutes, scoring three points with five rebounds, four assists, a steal and two blocks.
It ended up being a frustrating night for Jokic, who was ejected in the fourth quarter after picking up his second technical foul. He ended up with 26 points, 11 rebounds and four assists on 9-of-20 shooting.
"He doesn't need to do that," Jokic said of Payton. "I just reacted. No need to do that."
Related
