Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) jumps for a loose basketball going out of bounds during the third quarter against the Golden State Warriors at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets defeated the Warriors 123-84. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE

The Denver Nuggets returned to form Monday, the form that helped them start the season 14-5 and end last year 18-7. It might be a coincidence that it was Danilo Gallinari’s first game back from a thumb injury. However, it was the Nuggets’ rookie power forward Kenneth Faried that took the game over.

Faried set career highs in points (27) and rebounds (17), rebounding from his poor performance on Saturday where he scored one point and grabbed four rebounds. Faried did most of his damage by outworking the Warriors’ big men. He constantly battled for rebounds, he also hustled for loose balls and outran the other big man down the floor. Faried came close of outrebounding the Warriors entire team, who finished with 27 boards to the Nuggets 54.

Gallinari also played well in his return, after missing the previous 10 games. He scored 15 points, but also grabbed five boards and threw out six assists.

Behind Gallinari and Faried, the Nuggets started the game on a 17-2 run.

The other big player for the Nuggets on Monday was Arron Afflalo, who scored 15 points, grabbed eight rebounds and had five assists.

Denver also had Corey Brewer (13 points), JaVale McGee (13) and Ty Lawson (10) score in double figures.