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The Golden State Warriors had the greatest first quarter in NBA history on Tuesday night, and head coach Steve Kerr enjoyed watching every single bit of it.
Kerr called their scintillating opening performance “a fireworks show,” and for good reason:
Steve Kerr: “I don’t remember a better first quarter. That was a fireworks show.”
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 16, 2019
Kerr also added that he liked the way his team moved the ball, and even called their play “beautiful, beautiful basketball.”
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The Warriors looked like they were out to make a statement against the then-top seeded Denver Nuggets as they came out guns blazing. They took the life out of the Pepsi Center early by dropping 51 points and knocking down 10 3-pointers in the opening frame. The 51 points broke the previous first-quarter record of 50 held by several teams, while the 10 triples were a franchise high in a quarter for the Warriors.
The triumvirate of Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, and Stephen Curry set the tone early as all three were already in double figures by the end of the first period, combining for 42 of the Dubs' record-setting 51 points.
KD was a perfect 7-for-7 from the field and made three 3-pointers in the first quarter to lead Golden State with 17 points. Thompson also knocked down three 3-pointers en route to 13 points, while Curry had four makes from downtown and finished the first quarter with 12 points.
Curry and Thompson went on to score 31 points apiece to lead all Warriors scorers, while Durant finished his night with 27. All three notched 25 or more points in just under 30 minutes of play.
The game was supposed to be a showdown between the top two teams in the Western Conference, but the moment just seemed a little bit too big for the up-and-coming Nuggets. Golden State is now a half-game ahead of Denver in the West.
