Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray led the way as the Denver Nuggets blew out the Steph Curry-less Golden State Warriors 129-104 Friday night at Ball Arena.

Curry missed the game with an illness and the Nuggets took full advantage of the undermanned Warriors. Jokic finished with a Sombor Double, 26 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists. Murray added 23 points and 8 assists.

Denver led by double-digits for most of the game. This thing was over midway through the 4th quarter. Jonas Valanciunas scored a season-high 16 points off the bench.

Here’s what else stood out from the game.

The bench delivers

In seasons past, Jokic exiting the game isn’t a good feeling. But things are different this year. The Nuggets bench went on a 19-3 run to open the 2nd quarter to extend Denver’s lead over Golden State.

Jonas Valanciunas his two 3-pointers in that stretch. So did Murray. Christian Braun got going too.

It was a dominant stretch for the second unit and one of the most significant runs of the season for the Nuggets. Jokic re-entered the game with a double-digit lead. That rarely happened last season.

Jokic and the starters pull away

It was a massive 3rd quarter for Jokic, Murray and the Nuggets. They only outscored Golden State 33-31 in the period, but gained separation after an early-quarter Warriors run.

Jokic ended the 3rd quarter with a 26-point, 9-rebound, 9-assists Sombor double. Murray had 23 in just 28 minutes. Peyton Watson also made a number of big-time defensive plays, including a block.

It was another example of just how dangerous this team is. If the Nuggets’ bench gives Denver positive minutes, the starters will finish the job most nights.