Coach Steve Kerr said the Golden State Warriors were “awful” as their seven-game winning run came to an end against the Denver Nuggets in San Francisco.
Aaron Gordon scored a season-high 38 points in a 105-114 win for the Nuggets, who were without star centre Nikola Jokic.
It is Gordon’s highest points haul since joining the Nuggets from the Orlando Magic in 2021.
“We played poorly out of the gate and never found rhythm and they played great,” said Kerr.
“The right team won. We didn’t deserve anything. We were awful.”
Russell Westbrook, the NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles, secured his 203rd by scoring 12 points with 11 rebounds and 16 assists.
Jimmy Butler III scored 23 points and Stephen Curry 20 in reply for the Warriors, who lost for just the second time in 14 matches.
Denver remain fourth in the Western Conference, with Golden State occupying the final play-off place in sixth.
The Los Angeles Lakers, still without the injured LeBron James, are just behind the Nuggets in fourth after beating the San Antonio Spurs 125-109.
Austin Reaves top-scored with 30 points for the Lakers, with Luka Doncic adding 21 points with nine rebounds and 14 assists.
The Houston Rockets overturned a 25-point third-quarter deficit to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 144-137 in overtime and stay second in the Western Conference.
The Minnesota Timberwolves also needed overtime to beat the Indiana Pacers 132-130, with Obi Toppin scoring 34 points, 10 rebounds and two assists.
The New York Knicks won 116-95 against the Miami Heat to stay third in the East, while the Detroit Pistons are sixth after beating the New Orleans Pelican 127-81.
