The Golden State Warriors were carried home by a rising young guard in the fourth quarter — but it was the calm, unflappable shooting stroke of Al Horford that set the tone for one of the most surprising wins of their season.
Al Horford Turns Back the Clock in Warriors’ Stunning Upset
With Golden State missing its top four stars — Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Kristaps Porziņģis, and Draymond Green — the Warriors leaned on experience, spacing, and pace to knock off the Denver Nuggets 128–117 on Sunday night at Chase Center.
At the center of it all was Horford, who delivered a scorching first half and made history in the process.
According to Polymarket Hoops, the 39-year-old became the oldest center in NBA history to hit five three-pointers in a first half, igniting Golden State’s offense and helping the Warriors build a cushion they would never relinquish.
Horford’s Early Barrage Sets the Tone
Inserted into the starting lineup after Green was ruled out late with lower back soreness, Horford wasted no time reshaping the game.
He drilled two three-pointers in the first 76 seconds, forcing Denver to abandon its original defensive game plan almost immediately. Horford finished the first quarter with three triples, then added two more in the second, punishing the Nuggets for sagging too far off him.
“Once I realized I had to start, I just needed to make sure that I brought energy and those shots were available early on,” Horford said afterward. “I wanted us to play with pace, play fast, and get the ball moving. That was the key for the rest of the game.”
Horford scored 17 points in just 14 first-half minutes, shooting 6-of-8 from the field and 5-of-6 from three-point range. The outburst already eclipsed his previous season-high scoring mark — 16 points in a full game — and marked his most three-pointers in any contest this year.
By halftime, Golden State had knocked down 15 three-pointers, sprinting past Denver’s defense with ball movement and spacing rarely seen from such a shorthanded lineup.
Kerr Praises Horford’s Impact on Spacing
Warriors coach Steve Kerr credited Horford for unlocking the offense early.
“Al was fantastic,” Kerr said. “The spacing with him — popping and knocking down shots early — really set a good tone. We hit 15 threes in the first half. Even when we went cold in the third, the spacing and ball movement were really good, and Al was a big part of that.”
Horford finished with six three-pointers, a season-high 22 points, and seven assists, helping Golden State snap a two-game losing streak and record its biggest upset of the season.
Defense Matters, Too
Horford’s night wasn’t defined solely by shooting.
On the other end, he held up against the league’s most dominant force. The Nuggets shot 6-of-17 when Horford was the primary defender, and he contested 13 shots, including seven from beyond the arc.
The defensive activity was a sign that Horford is fully past the sciatic nerve issue that limited him earlier in the season.
Even Nikola Jokić — who still posted a dazzling 35-point, 20-rebound, 12-assist triple-double — felt the impact of Golden State’s altered approach. Horford’s ability to stretch the floor forced Jokić into uncomfortable decisions, dragging him away from the paint and opening driving lanes for Warriors guards.
Nuggets Caught Off Guard
Denver head coach David Adelman admitted the late lineup change disrupted the Nuggets’ preparation.
“That was confusing,” Adelman said. “Obviously, the game plan was very different.”
The confusion showed early — and by the time Denver adjusted, Golden State had already seized momentum.
Veterans and Youth Deliver Together
While Brandin Podziemski delivered the finishing blow with a dominant fourth quarter, the foundation of the win belonged to Horford’s poise, shooting, and leadership.
In a night that underscored the value of experience, the Warriors found a way to blend old legs with young energy — and topple a championship contender without their stars.
For one night, Golden State didn’t just survive shorthanded.
They thrived — led by a 39-year-old center who reminded everyone why spacing, intelligence, and timing still win games in the NBA.
Al Horford Makes History as Warriors Shock Nuggets