Warriors vs Wizards & Nuggets vs Jazz — March 28, 2026: Full Recap, Box Score & Player Stats

Two high-scoring NBA games landed on March 28, 2026—and both went down to the wire before the home teams held on. The Golden State Warriors edged out the Washington Wizards 131-126 at Chase Center, while the Denver Nuggets outlasted the Utah Jazz 135-129 in a game that shifted momentum three times before Nikola Jokic put it away in the fourth.

Here is everything — scores, quarter-by-quarter breakdown, top performers, and key stats from both games.

Golden State Warriors vs Washington Wizards — Final Score: GSW 131, WAS 126

Game Summary

The Warriors looked dominant early, racing to a 38-25 lead after the first quarter on the back of sharp three-point shooting and paint efficiency. Washington clawed back through the second and third quarters—actually outscoring Golden State 34-20 in the third to trail by just three entering the final period. But the Warriors steadied in the fourth, outscoring the Wizards 39-32 to seal a five-point win.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

Golden State Warriors — Top Performers

Gui Santos—27 Points (Game High, Warriors) Santos was the Warriors' standout player with 27 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including 3-of-5 from three. Added 4 rebounds and 4 assists and shot 88.9% from the free throw line. Efficiency rating: 31.

Brandin Podziemski — 22 Points, 10 Rebounds, 7 Assists Podziemski posted a double-double and came close to a triple-double, shooting 6-of-13 from the field with 3 threes. His 7 assists and 2 steals added to a well-rounded performance. Efficiency rating: 34.

Gary Payton II — 15 Points Payton was efficient in limited attempts—7-of-11 shooting, all two-pointers, with 14 points in the paint. He also chipped in 2 steals and a block, providing defensive energy off the bench.

Pat Spencer — 13 Points Spencer contributed 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting with 5 rebounds and 2 assists off the bench.

Team Stats — Warriors:

• Field Goal %: 51.8%
• Three-Point %: 43.2% (19 of 44)
• Free Throws: 24-of-31 (77.4%)
• Total Rebounds: 52
• Assists: 32
• Points in Paint: 46
• Bench Points: 40
• Biggest Lead: 16

Washington Wizards — Top Performers

Will Riley — 22 Points (Top Scorer, Wizards) Riley was the Wizards' best player — 8-of-12 shooting, 3 threes, 100% from the line, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals. Efficiency rating: 27.

Bilal Coulibaly — 21 Points Coulibaly put up 21 on 8-of-16 shooting with 4 threes and 6 rebounds. A strong two-way showing also added a block.

Bub Carrington — 16 Points Carrington was sharp from deep, hitting 4-of-5 threes for 16 points with 5 assists.

Jaden Hardy — 14 Points (Off Bench) Hardy was the Wizards' most efficient player, shooting 4-of-5 from three for 14 points off the bench with an 80% field goal percentage.

Tre Johnson — 11 Points The rookie guard scored 11 but shot just 1-of-5 from three in a mixed showing.

Alex Sarr—8 Points, 9 Rebounds Sarr struggled offensively—3-of-10 shooting—but contributed 9 rebounds and 3 assists before fouling out late.

Anthony Gill — 14 Points (Off Bench) Gill was outstanding off the bench: 7-of-9 shooting, 14 points in the paint, 2 steals, and a block. Efficiency rating: 21.

Team Stats — Wizards:

• Field Goal %: 52.6%
• Three-Point %: 42.9% (18 of 42)
• Free Throws: 8-of-10 (80%)
• Total Rebounds: 44
• Assists: 29
• Points in Paint: 54
• Bench Points: 66
• Biggest Lead: 5

Warriors vs Wizards — Key Takeaway

Washington actually shot the ball better than Golden State from the field and dominated in the paint — 54 points to 46. The difference was the Warriors' biggest 16-point lead early and their ability to close the game in the fourth. The Wizards bench outscored Golden State's bench 66-40, but it wasn't enough to overcome the first-quarter deficit. Wizards fans will point to Alex Sarr fouling out as a turning point in the final period.

Denver Nuggets vs Utah Jazz — Final Score: DEN 135, UTA 129

Game Summary

This was a game of runs. Denver burst out of the gate, leading 37-26 after one. Utah responded dramatically — outscoring the Nuggets 43-36 in the third quarter to take their own lead entering the fourth. Denver's fourth quarter was decisive: they outscored Utah 37-24 to close out a six-point win, with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray doing the damage when it mattered most.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

Denver Nuggets — Top Performers

Nikola Jokic—33 Points, 15 Rebounds, 12 Assists (Triple-Double)—Jokic was exceptional. A triple-double on 13-of-16 shooting — including a perfect 2-of-2 from three — with 15 rebounds and 12 assists. Shot 62.5% from the free throw but made enough to close the game. His true shooting percentage of 84.5% in a 135-point game is the performance of the night across both matches. Efficiency rating: 56.

Jamal Murray—31 Points, 14 Assists, 6 Rebounds: Murray complemented Jokic with 31 points on 9-of-18 shooting and 5 threes, plus 14 assists for a near triple-double himself. His 100% free throw night (8-of-8) was crucial in the fourth quarter. Efficiency rating: 43.

Tim Hardaway Jr.—21 Points: Coming off the bench, Hardaway scored 21 points on 5-of-12 shooting with 5 threes and 6-of-7 from the line. His 9 fast break points were the most impactful in the fourth period.

Aaron Gordon—17 Points, 7 Rebounds: Gordon contributed 17 on 6-of-12 shooting with 7 rebounds and a crucial defensive stretch in the fourth quarter.

Team Stats — Nuggets:

• Field Goal %: 47.4%
• Three-Point %: 39.6% (19 of 48)
• Free Throws: 26-of-32 (81.3%)
• Total Rebounds: 56
• Assists: 34
• Points in Paint: 46
• Fast Break Points: 17
• Second Chance Points: 19

Utah Jazz — Top Performers

Kyle Filipowski — 25 Points, 8 Rebounds Filipowski was Utah's best big — 11-of-17 shooting, 25 points with 5 assists. Effective in the paint (10 points in the paint) and showed range with a three. Efficiency rating: 28.

Cody Williams — 24 Points Williams was Utah's most versatile scorer—9-of-14 shooting with 7 assists and 2 steals, and 10 fast break points leading Utah's transition game.

Kennedy Chandler—16 Points, 7 Assists Chandler ran the offense efficiently, scoring 16 on 7-of-10 shooting and distributing 7 assists with just 1 turnover.

John Konchar—16 Points, 8 Rebounds Konchar shot 8-of-10 from the field and was Utah's best second-chance scorer—all 5 of his second-chance attempts were converted for 10 points.

Oscar Tshiebwe — 9 Points, 9 Rebounds Tshiebwe provided energy in his minutes — 75% shooting; 9 rebounds, including 4 offensive; and 3 assists.

Brice Sensabaugh — 13 Points Sensabaugh contributed 13 off the bench, shooting 3-of-6 from three and adding 6 assists.

Team Stats — Jazz:

• Field Goal %: 55.8%
• Three-Point %: 27.3% (9 of 33)
• Free Throws: 14-of-19 (73.7%)
• Total Rebounds: 48
• Assists: 34
• Points in Paint: 84
• Fast Break Points: 24
• Steals: 10

Nuggets vs Jazz—Key Takeaway

Utah shot 55.8% from the field and dominated in the paint — 84 points to Denver's 46 — yet still lost by six. The difference was three-point shooting. Denver hit 19 threes to Utah's 9 despite attempting fewer. Jokic and Murray's fourth-quarter execution was clinical—combining for 37 of the team's final 37 points when it mattered. For Utah, Filipowski and Williams showed why they are the pieces to build around. For Denver, another Jokic triple-double in a competitive game sends a reminder of where they stand in the Western Conference.

Where to Watch — Upcoming NBA Games

Denver Nuggets vs Golden State Warriors — March 30, 2026 These two teams meet again in two days at Ball Arena, Denver. After both won tonight, this becomes a significant Western Conference matchup. Watch on ESPN, NBA League Pass, or your local regional sports network.

Washington Wizards vs. Portland Trail Blazers — March 29, 2026. Washington heads to Portland next. Watch on NBA League Pass or a local broadcast.