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Warriors beat Nuggets 134-114 as Curry goes 8-for-8

By Drooid · Oct 27, 2026, 23:33 UTC · How we work

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Summary

Golden State Warriors secured their first 2026-27 win, defeating Denver Nuggets 134-114.
Stephen Curry shot 8-of-8 from the field, including 3-of-3 threes and 5-of-5 free throws for 24 points.
Yaxel Lendeborg posted a career-high 31 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, hitting 12 of 13 free throws.
Lendeborg was the first rookie since Larry Bird (1979-80) to total 70 points in his first four games.

Summary

Steve Kerr instituted a load-management program that sat Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Al Horford and Brandin Podziemski early.
Team doctor Rick Celebrini and performance staff approved the reduced-minute strategy, emphasizing physical readiness.
Draymond Green suggested Jaden Lendeborg could become the franchise’s next face, prompting a trade-policy shift.
Kerr warned fans the compressed NBA schedule will force veteran absences, making rest decisions inevitable.

History

In 1979-80, Larry Bird’s rookie season turned the Celtics from 29-53 to 61-21, a 32-game swing, and he posted 21.3 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. That dramatic impact set a precedent for teams relying on rookie firepower. Today, the Warriors’ rookie Yaxel Lendeborg echoes Bird’s surge while coach Steve Kerr uses load-management approved by Dr. Rick Celebrini to navigate a compressed schedule.

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Historical Context

In 1979-80, Larry Bird’s rookie season turned the Celtics from 29-53 to 61-21, a 32-game swing, and he posted 21.3 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. That dramatic impact set a precedent for teams relying on rookie firepower. Today, the Warriors’ rookie Yaxel Lendeborg echoes Bird’s surge while coach Steve Kerr uses load-management approved by Dr. Rick Celebrini to navigate a compressed schedule.

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