Category: Recap

Warriors vs. Jazz: Donovan Mitchell pushes Utah to 8th straight win

The Warriors had no answer for the Jazz on Saturday night.

The Utah Jazz entered play on Jan. 23 as the hottest team in the NBA, and the Golden State Warriors found out the hard way that Donovan Mitchell and company had no intentions of cooling down.

On Saturday night, the Warriors dropped their second consecutive game, as the Jazz handed them a decisive 127-108 loss. Although Golden State lost by 19 points, the contest wasn’t even that close, as Utah led by as many as 40. Golden State didn’t lead at all.

The lone bright spot for the Warriors was Steph Curry and his surpassing Reggie Miller on the NBA’s all-time 3-pointers made list. Curry ended the night with game-high 24 points on 9-for-18 shooting from the field, including 5-for-10 shooting from 3-point territory.

The former MVP ended the night with 2,562 career 3-pointers made — two more than Reggie Miller, who is bumped down to third on the all-time list. Curry will enter play on Jan. 24 trailing the all-time leader Ray Allen’s career total of 2,973.

For Utah, the club entered the contest as the hottest team in the league as winners of seven straight. They made it eight behind a 23-point, seven-rebound, six-assist effort from Donovan Mitchell.

The Warriors will next be in action on Monday night when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first of two contests at the Chase Center.

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Warriors vs. Pistons Notebook: Andrew Wiggins helps close road trip with win in Detroit, 116-106

Andrew Wiggins caught fire in the fourth quarter to close out the Golden State Warriors road trip with a win against the Detroit Pistons.

After starting the season with a pair of blowout losses and a game that came down to the final shot, the Golden State Warriors produced their best performance of the season with a victory against the Detroit Pistons.

Although early offensive rebounding gave the Pistons a lead at halftime, the Warriors rallied in the second half behind the play of Andrew Wiggins and Steph Curry.

On the final game of their four-stop road trip, Golden State’s defense tightened in Detroit, holding the Pistons to 38% from the field and 37.1% from beyond the arc. Similar to Golden State’s defensive effort, the offense looked smooth against the Pistons. The Warriors pushed the pace in the open court and knocked down shots consistently, shooting 50% from the field and 42.4% from long distance.

Following Golden State’s 116-106 win over Detroit, the Warriors will have a positive flight home, splitting their four-game opening road trip with a 2-2 record.

On Friday, the Warriors will begin a seven-game homestand with a tilt against the Portland Trail Blazers. During Golden State’s stretch of games at Chase Center, Draymond Green could make his 2020-21 debut after missing the start of the season with a foot injury.

Here are four notes from the Warriors’ 116-106 win over the Pistons.

Damion Lee’s 24 points vs. Sixers snaps Golden State’s 10-game home losing streak, 118-114

Damion Lee dropped 24-points to lead the depleted Warriors to victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

While the game was lacking star power, the Golden State Warriors tilt against the Philadelphia 76ers lived up to its Saturday night primetime billing. Although Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid we’re all ruled out due to injury – the game turned into a nail biter late.

The Sixers held an eight-point lead going into the final period, but it wasn’t enough against the comeback Warriors. Golden State roared back into the game behind clutch shooting from Damion Lee and Mychal Mulder.

Mulder drilled an open 3-pointer with two minutes remaining in the game to give Golden State a two-point lead. Timely free throw shooting and a pair of defensive stops sealed the Warriors comeback win over Philadelphia, 118-114.

The Warriors win snapped a season-long 10-game home losing streak. Golden State will now get two days off before hosting Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers at Chase Center.

Damion Lee

After missing a pair of free throws and an open 3-pointer late against the Toronto Raptors, Lee bounced back with an impressive performance with the Sixers in town.

Lee led the Warriors in scoring with 24 points on 10-of-17 shooting. The former two-way contract guard added six rebounds and three assists against Philadelphia.

The Drexel product has scored over 23 points in his past two games while knocking down eight 3-pointers in that span.

Marquese Chriss

Marquese Chriss punched his third double-double in the past four games with 13 points and 10 rebounds against the Sixers. Although the former lottery pick racked up numbers on offense, his defense was key in Golden State’s win.

With a one-point Warriors lead and under 30 seconds remaining, Chriss swiped a crucial block against Philadelphia’s Mike Scott. The former Washington Husky’s improbable block set up Mulder to knock down two free throws to extend Golden State’s late lead.

Mychal Mulder

Mulder got the starting nod in the final day of his 10-day contract and continued his impressive play. The Kentucky shooter recorded a career-high 18 points on 5-of-10 shooting with 3-of-7 shots coming from beyond the arc.

Golden State is 3-3 since signing Mulder, with wins over the playoff-bound Sixers and Denver Nuggets. The Canadian guard has scored 14 or more points in four of the six games through his 10-day deal.

It’s safe to say Mulder is proving he belongs in the NBA longer than 10 days.

Norman Powell’s career high 37 points spoils Steph Curry’s return from injury, 121-113

Stephen Curry’s 23 points in his return from injury wasn’t enough against the defending champion Toronto Raptors.

In a rematch of the 2019 Finals, the Golden State Warriors game against the Toronto Raptors was one of the most anticipated games on the NBA’s slate. Stephen Curry made his long-awaited return to the court after missing the past 58 games.

Yet, the defending NBA champions spoiled Curry’s reunion at Chase Center in San Francisco, 121-113.

The Warriors battled the Eastern Conference playoff-bound Raptors late into the game. However, even with Curry’s help, Golden State could not closeout.

The Dubs cut the Raptors lead to one-point heading into the final period of the game. Yet, the talent of Pascal Siakam and Kyle Lowry took over the contest. Golden State made it entertaining at the end of the game with a late run with Curry on the floor, but it wasn’t enough.

Lowry and Siakam combined for 13 points on 4-of-7 shooting in the fourth quarter to hold off the gritty Warriors.

The Raptors sealed Golden State’s 10th straight loss at home this season. The Warriors will have the chance to snap their 10-game home losing streak on Saturday when the Philadelphia 76ers come to the Bay Area.

Stephen Curry

Curry was on a minutes restriction against the Raptors, but the six-time All-Star took advantage of his time back on the court. Curry scored 23 points on 6-of-16 shooting in 27 minutes. Curry added seven assists and six rebounds against the Raptors.

In his return, Curry flashed glimpses of his All-Star caliber play. Whether it was long-distance shooting or crafty passes, the two-time Most Valuable Player looked like his old self on the court.

Norman Powell

All-Stars like Siakam and Lowry lead the Raptors, but against the Warriors, Norman Powell arrived. Powell registered a career-high 37 points on 13-of-20 shooting in 38 minutes for the Raptors. The UCLA product added three rebounds, three steals and two assists.

Anytime the Warriors chipped away at Toronto’s lead, Powell answered.

Damion Lee

Damion Lee continued his breakout campaign with another solid performance. Lee matched Curry’s total with 23 points on 8-of-17 shooting while adding five rebounds and three assists.

Lee had back-to-back chances to keep the Warriors in the game late, but could not convert a pair of free throws. When Marquese Chriss stole an offensive rebound, Lee missed an open 3-pointer to cut Toronto’s lead to three with under a minute remaining.

Andrew Wiggins and rookies drive Warriors to comeback win in Denver, 116-100

Andrew Wiggins records a double-double in a 15-point comeback win against the Denver Nuggets.

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The Warriors road trip to Denver started as a typical game for Golden State in the 2019-20 season. Golden State battled the Nuggets early to keep it close, but eventually, Denver’s talent overwhelmed the young Warriors squad.

Golden State fell down by 15-points against the playoff-bound Denver Nuggets, but a strong ending to the third quarter sprung the Warriors back into the game. The Warriors have struggled throughout the season to close games, yet in Denver, things were different. The Warriors outscored the Nuggets 34-19 in the fourth quarter to seal their comeback win, 116-100.

Golden State has registered wins in two of their last three games. With the defending champion Toronto Raptors coming to town next, the Warriors could get some help in the return of Stephen Curry from injury.

Andrew Wiggins

In Denver, Andrew Wiggins played one of his best games as a member of the Golden State Warriors. The former member of the Minnesota Timberwolves recorded a double-double with 22 points and 10 assists — the second time in his career, he’s tallied 20 points and 10 assists in the same game. Wiggins added five rebounds, a steal and a block.

Rookie Run

Two picks from Golden State’s 2019 draft class made a significant impact in the Warriors comeback effort in Denver. Second-round pick Eric Paschall filled the stat sheet with 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting, with five rebounds, five assists and a steal against the Nuggets.

Golden State’s first-round pick Jordan Poole continues his impressive play at point guard recording 15 points, six assists and three rebounds. Poole added four 3-pointers on six attempts from long distance.

Beyond the arc

Since the All-Star break, the Warriors have struggled from 3-point range, shooting only 26.3 % from deep. However, against the Nuggets, Golden State performed their best “Splash Brothers” impression. The Warriors shot 18-of-41 from beyond the arc, with the Nuggets only hitting three 3-pointers on 20 attempts.

10-day contract turned starter, Mychal Mulder led the Warriors from long distance, adding five 3-pointers on 10 shots. Five other members of the Warriors added two or more makes from deep.

Eric Paschall leads Warriors to 18 point road comeback vs. Suns to snap losing streak, 115-99

Eric Paschall’s 25 points carried the injury-hampered Warriors to an 18-point comeback victory against the Phoenix Suns.

The Golden State Warriors’ day did not start as planned. The Warriors announced Stephen Curry’s return would be moved back from his original target date of March 1. The news around Curry’s injury followed Golden State ruling out a trio of players against the Phoenix Suns.

Yet, the shorthanded Warriors pulled off one of their best wins of the season in Phoenix with a 115-99 comeback victory.

Without Draymond Green, Jordan Poole and Ky Bowman, the Warriors only had eight healthy players and no true point guard against the Suns. Golden State started the game in Phoenix falling down 18 points in the first half. However, the second half was a different story.

The Warriors roared back to outscore the Suns 31-16 in the third quarter. Golden State completely erased the 18 point deficit to take the lead going into the final period.

Rookie Eric Paschall carried Golden State’s comeback, scoring 25 points in 33 minutes off the bench. The Villanova product was Steve Kerr’s primary scoring option on offense, with Damion Lee finding him as the lead ball-handler. Lee dished out a career-high eight assists while scoring 20 points and grabbing five rebounds.

Seven of Golden State’s eight-man rotation scored in double figures to snap the Warriors eight-game losing streak.

The Turnover Battle

Although the Warriors had a limited rotation, the point-guardless team protected the rock. Golden State only turned the ball over 10 times, while their opponent nearly doubled that number with 19 turnovers.

Phoenix All-Star Devin Booker scored 21 points on 6-of-16 shooting, but turned the ball over six times. The Suns’ backcourt of Ricky Rubio and Booker combined to turn the ball over more than the entire Warriors team with 11.

Every starter for the Warriors recorded a steal against the Suns, with Marquese Chriss and Andrew Wiggins each swiping three steals.

Mychal Mulder

Paschall and Lee will make headlines, but 10-day contract player Mychal Mulder was a crucial factor in Golden State’s comeback victory. Mulder scored his first NBA points in 14 points on 3-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc. The Kentucky product’s long-range shooting came at a much needed time for Warriors who have been struggling from 3-point land.

Mulder racked up 34 minutes in the second game of his 10-day contract. His play against the Suns should earn him more time on the court through the remainder of his time in Golden State.

Kevon Looney

Kevon Looney‘s 2019-20 season has been defined by injury, yet against the Suns, the Golden State center looked like his old self. Looney scored in double-figures for the second time this season with 10 points while grabbing six rebounds.

Before the game, Steve Kerr said the former high school point guard, could get some time point guard for the Warriors. Looney dished out three assists against the Suns, tied for his season-high.

The Zion Williamson experience leads Pelicans to comeback win vs. Warriors, 115-101

Zion Williamson lived up to the hype against the Golden State Warriors, tallying 28 points and seven rebounds in his first game at Chase Center.

As the New Orleans Pelicans push towards a late playoff run, the Golden State Warriors were next in line trying to play spoiler.

The Warriors have struggled out of the gate throughout the season. Yet, against the Pelicans, the Dubs jumped out to an early lead. Damion Lee scored 15 of his Golden State game-high 22 points in the opening period on six of eight shooting from the field. Lee was able to knock down four three-pointers early, giving Golden State a 33-29 lead in the first quarter.

The Warriors went into the locker room with a 56-46 edge at halftime. However, when the second half started, the Pelicans took over.

The Warriors were without not only Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, as both Marquese Chriss and Draymond Green were ruled out due to injury, and the Pelicans took advantage.

Jrue Holiday exposed the Warriors’ young rotation, slowing down and controlling the game in the second half. Holiday finished the game with a near triple-double, tallying 23 points, 15 assists and seven rebounds. The UCLA product added 21 of his points along with 12 assists in the second half.

The Pelicans sealed their second-half comeback win, 115-101 with Holiday’s veteran play and the impact of Zion Williamson.

The Zion Williamson experience

The 2019 top pick made his Chase Center debut and did not disappoint. The Duke product registered a game-high 28 points on 13-of-20 shooting, with seven rebounds and two assists. Williamson slammed down one of his signature dunks in a fast break against Golden State.

The case for JTA

Down the final stretch of the season, who steps up from the back end of Golden State’s rotation, will be a critical factor in the future. The Warriors will need to find some in-house options for their roster next year with several expensive contracts already on the books.

Juan Toscano-Anderson made a case for a future roster spot with his performance against the Pelicans. Toscano-Anderson brought energy off the bench, scoring a career-high 16 points with eight rebounds and three assists in 28 minutes.

The debut of Dragan

Only hours after signing a 10-day contract, Dragan Bender made his Golden State Warriors debut against the Pelicans. The former lottery pick played 20 minutes and knocked down two 3-pointers.

Bender was active with his opportunity, punching numbers up and down the box score. The 22-year-old registered five rebounds, three assists and a block on Williamson. Bender will have three games left on his 10-day contract to prove to Golden State he belongs.

With trade deadline looming, Alec Burks drops 30 vs. Wizards in Golden State 125-117 road win

Alec Burks 30-point scoring effort leads the Warriors to their first back-to-back road wins of the 2019-20 season.

Winning has been a limited occurrence for the Golden State Warriors in the 2019-20 season, even more, narrow has been their ability to win in bunches. However, during the Warriors five-game east coast road trip, Golden State has netted two-straight wins for only the second time this season.

The Warriors went wire-to-wire in Washington, winning 125-117. Golden State sealed back-to-back road wins for the first time in the 2019-20 season.

The Warriors were without their leading scorer D’Angelo Russell, but a veteran swingman stepped up to carry Golden State. Alex Burks tallied 30 points on 9-of-17 shooting from the field, adding five 3-pointers. Washington was Burks’s second 30-point scoring night on the season for Golden State.

Behind Burks, Glenn Robinson III and Draymond Green filled the gaps. Robinson III added 22 points while Green cracked another near triple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.

The Warriors travel to face the Nets in the final game of their road trip for homecoming night for Russell, who spent two seasons in Brooklyn. A win in Brooklyn will seal a winning road-trip for Golden State before heading back to San Francisco.

Sharing the rock

Against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Warriors racked up 39 total assists behind Draymond Green’s game-high 16. The Warriors doubled-down against the Washington Wizards, dropping 31 dimes.

The Warriors ball movement set up several open looks for the Warriors, resulting in scoring from up and down the roster. Six different members of Golden State scored in double figures in Washington, on 49.4 % shooting from the field.

Real deal Bradley Beal

Since being snubbed from the 2020 All-Star game, Bradley Beal has been on a warpath throughout the NBA. Beal has netted 34 or more points in Washington’s last six games, registering three wins in that span.

Against Golden State, the former Florida Gator didn’t slow down, tallying 43 points on 15-of-30 shooting. Beal added three 3-pointers and six assists, but it wasn’t enough against the Warriors

Draymond Green’s 16 assists lead Warriors to blowout vs. Cavs, 131-112

Draymond Green racked up 16 assists in Cleveland with seven different Warriors scoring in double figures to break Golden State’s five-game losing streak.

It hasn’t happened much throughout the 2019-20 NBA season, but against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Golden State Warriors looked and played like the best team on the floor. Instead of a tight loss at the end of the game, the Warriors finished their night in Cleveland with a blowout victory, 131-112.

A monster third quarter from beyond the arc decided the game in the Warriors favor. Golden State hit a franchise-record 10 3-pointers on 10-of-14 long-range shooting in Cleveland to stretch their lead to 105-78 heading in the final period. The Warriors finished the third quarter scoring 44 points to the Cavaliers 19. Draymond Green added eight of his 16 assists in the third quarter, while Glenn Robinson III added 10 points.

In Cleveland, the Warriors had one of their better shooting nights on the season, with seven players scoring in double-digits on 53.9 % shooting from the field and 51.4 % from beyond the arc.

Golden State earned a much-needed win after dropping 15 of their previous 16 and will now have a chance to extend their winning ways when they play the struggling Washington Wizards next. 

Vintage Draymond Green

The Warriors’ former Defensive Player of the Year has had an up-and-down season mixed with injuries and inconsistent play. However, against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Green showed why he’s an All-Star caliber player. 

Behind his career-high-tying 16 assists, Green netted a near triple-double against the Cavaliers, adding eight points, seven rebounds, two steals and two blocks. 

Kevon Looney Returns

On top of the win, another positive note for the Golden State Warriors is the return of center, Kevon Looney. Looney’s missed the past 18 games with an abdomen injury and has missed more games due to a neuropathic condition that stunted the start of the season. 

Looney played 12 minutes in his return, tallying two points, four rebounds, two steals and a block. 

Damian Lillard drops 61 points in 129-124 overtime win over Warriors

The Warriors gave the Trail Blazers all they could handle, but Damian Lillard simply wouldn’t be denied.

Sometimes, it’s simply a matter of which team has the best player, and on Monday night, that was exactly the case as the Warriors fell to the Portland Trail Blazers by a final score of 129-124.

En route to a career-high 61 points, Damian Lillard had an answer every time the Warriors appeared to have the game in control. He effectively sent the game to overtime after connecting on a late three-pointer in the game’s final minute, tied the game late in the overtime period with another three-pointer and converted the two go-ahead free throws with the Warriors clinging to a one-point lead with less than 30 seconds remaining in the overtime period.

In the end, his 61 points came on 17-for-37 shooting from the field. The output was the highest-scoring game of the season and set a Trail Blazers franchise record. That he was able to accomplish that without CJ McCollum was especially impressive.

Lillard’s tremendous effort outshined excellent performances from Alec Burks (33 points), D’Angelo Russell (27 points) and Eric Paschall (22 points).

Even without Draymond Green and Glen Robinson III, though, the Warriors were able to take their talents to Portland’s Rose Garden and nearly leave with a victory. Wille Cauley-Stein controlled the paint for the Warriors and seemed to always grab an offensive rebound when the team needed it the most.

Still, there was simply too much Lillard for the Warriors, as the club couldn’t follow up Saturday night’s victory over the Orlando Magic with another in Portland.

For the contest, the Warriors allowed the Blazers to shoot 44% from the field and were minus-15 at the three-point line and minus-eight at the free-throw line.

The Warriors will return to San Francisco to play host to the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night.