Category: Recap

Jordan Poole’s career night vs. Magic snaps Warriors’ losing streak

Rookie Jordan Poole led the Warriors against the Orlando Magic to snap Golden State’s 10-game losing streak.

After winning four-consecutive games to end 2019, the Golden State Warriors have struggled through the start of the new decade, losing 10-straight games. However, with an unlikely hero in rookie Jordan Poole leading the way with Stephen Curry along the sideline, Golden State snapped their season-high losing streak with a 109-95 win against Orlando.

Golden State fell behind 10-0 in the opening minutes, yet was able to pick up the slack in the second and third quarters. Orlando started the fourth quarter with a burst of points to cut down the Warriors’ lead. With Golden State reeling, D’Angelo Russell took over the final period to seal Golden State’s first victory of 2020.

Rolling Rookie

After struggling throughout the start of his rookie season, the Warriors 2019 first-round draft pick has been fantastic since a short stint in the NBA’s G League.

Poole led Golden State in scoring with 21 points for a career-high. Poole has scored in double digits in his last four straight games, shooting 42.1% against the Orlando Magic, including 4-of-10 from beyond the arc.

After playing one half of a season at the NBA level, Poole seems to be finding his role in Steve Kerr’s rotation finally.

Stephen Curry on the call

In the third quarter, Golden State’s two-time Most Valuable Player joined the game, not as a player, but as a sideline analyst for the home-broadcast. With Curry on the call, the Warriors stormed out to an 82-71 lead behind a strong third-quarter.

The Warriors’ rookie tandem of Poole and Eric Paschall combined for 14 points in the third period. Golden State shot 13-of-20 from the field. Curry was proud of the Warriors’ performance while he was broadcasting.

Double-double D-Lo

With Curry and Klay Thompson dealing with injuries, D’Angelo Russell has filled in as the Warriors key offensive piece. However, against the Magic, Russell turned into Golden State’s facilitator for a season-high 12 assists.

Russell finished the night with a double-double, scoring 26 points on 9-of-21 shooting from the field. When the Magic went on a run, Russell was able to step up and knock down a few big shots to close-out Orlando.

Denver’s overtime comeback extends Warriors losing streak, 134-131

The Warriors couldn’t hold on to a 19-point lead against the Denver Nuggets, losing their tenth straight game. Golden State is still winless since the start of 2020.

For the first 46 minutes of the Warriors home contest against the Denver Nuggets, the game felt like it was leaning towards a Golden State upset. However, a strong final quarter from Nuggets erased the Warriors 19-point lead, sending the game into overtime.

In the extra period, the Warriors were overwhelmed by the Western Conference playoff hopeful. Malik Beasley, Michael Porter Jr and Nikola Jokic all added 10 points in the fourth quarter, enough to take the struggling Warriors into deep water.

Denver handled business in overtime, sealing the comeback win in San Francisco, 134-131. The loss marks the Warriors tenth straight loss and the team is still winless since the start of the 2020 new year.

Seven different members of Golden State scored in double digits, with Damion Lee and Alec Burks leading the way with 21 and 25 points, respectively. Golden State’s collective scoring effort wasn’t enough to slow down the Nuggets duo of Beasley, 28 points and Will Barton, 31 points.

Golden State will have an opportunity to end the losing streak when the Orlando Magic travel to Chase Center.

Starting fast

A primary source of the Golden State Warriors’ struggles throughout the 2019-20 season has been their sluggish first quarters. Golden State has come out of the gate slow in many contests this season, but against Denver, it was the opposite.

Damion Lee, D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Poole combined for 21 points to outscore the entire Nuggets roster alone in the opening quarter. The team shot 50 % from the field and added seven 3-pointers to blitz Denver off the jump The Warriors roared to a 34-19 lead in the first period to set the tone for the remainder of the bout.

Finishing slow

As fast as the Warriors started the game, the Nuggets turned things on when it mattered at the end. Denver dropped 40 points in the final period to cut Golden State’s 12 point fourth-quarter lead.

In the fourth quarter, Russell couldn’t find the ice in his veins, only scoring four points and turning the ball over once ina critical situation.

The Warriors shot a miserable 30 % from the field, while Denver punished Golden State while they were down, shooting 68.2 %. Rookie, Eric Paschall knocked down a late three-pointer to give Golden State the lead, but it wasn’t enough to close out Denver. The Warriors’ sloppy final period opened the door for the Nuggets to stretch the game into overtime.

Jordan Poole figuring it out

A highlight in a disappointing night was rookie Jordan Poole putting together another solid game. Poole registered his third straight double-digit scoring night, dropping 10 points on 4-of-9 shooting from the field. Poole was a significant factor in the Warriors’ fast start, adding two makes from beyond the arc in the first quarter off the bench.

Warriors losing streak grows to season high with Memphis loss, 122-102

D’Angelo Russell’s return to the Golden State Warriors lineup wasn’t enough to end their losing streak, falling 122-102 in Memphis

The return of D’Angelo Russell to the Golden State Warriors’ rotation came when the team needed him most. The Dubs were riding a seven-game losing streak and desperately needed the scoring of the former All-Star. However, the 23-year-old’s 34-point night against the Memphis Grizzlies wasn’t enough to stop the bleeding. 

The Grizzlies handed the Warriors a 122-102 loss in Memphis, dropping Golden State’s losing streak to a season-high eight games. 

The Golden State Warriors battled the thriving Grizzlies for 36-minutes, but the 12-minute third quarter was where this game was decided. At halftime, the Warriors only trailed the Grizzlies by one point, but a 35-17 third quarter from Memphis put this game out of reach for the understaffed Dubs.  

Grizzlies center, Jonas Valanciunas, scored 15 of his 31 points in the third quarter alone. Valanciunas added 19 rebounds and two blocks, nine of Lithuanian’s boards came off the offensive glass.  

Things won’t get any easier for Golden State on their losing streak with games against the Western Conference playoff-hopeful Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets next up on the schedule. 

The return of D-Loading

Russell returned to the Warriors’ lineup in Memphis after missing the previous six games with a shoulder injury. In his first game action of the 2020 new year, he did not disappoint.

After only scoring one point in the first quarter, the Ohio State product ended his night with 34 points, adding seven rebounds and four assists. Russell shot 12-of-24 from the field, including five makes from beyond the arc.

Omari Spellman stays hot

Omari Spellman started his second straight game for the Golden State Warriors and continued his impressive play. After scoring 12 against the Memphis Grizzlies, Spellman’s now registered six consecutive scoring nights of 10 or more points. Over those six games, Spellman has shot 15-of-24 from 3-point range, good enough for 62.5 % from beyond the arc. 

Late game collapse spoils Warriors’ upset bid vs. Clippers, 109-100

The combination of Kawhi Leonard and Lou Williams ruined the Warriors chance or a major upset in Los Angeles with fourth quarter comeback for the Clippers.

Outside of their tight loss against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Warriors haven’t played up to their opponents since the 2020 new year began. Things weren’t getting any easier for them with a game against Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers looming on the schedule.

However, the Warriors battled the Clippers for 36 minutes, even leading by 10 heading into the fourth quarter. Unfortunately for the Warriors, Leonard and Lou Williams decided to show up in the final period.

Leonard gave the Warriors a replay of their 2019 NBA Final loss with his performance late in the game. The 2019 Finals Most Valuable Player had multiple defensive wizard-like plays, paired with a mix of powerful dunks down the lane.

The game was close with 2:30 left in the fourth quarter, yet a pair of possessions hurt the Warriors’ chances of an upset in Los Angeles. The Clippers defense forced Omari Spellman to launch a desperation three-pointer, on the other end of the court, Williams nailed a deep three to give Los Angeles a five-point lead down the stretch.

Without D’Angelo Russell, the Warriors couldn’t answer the play of Leonard and Williams in the final quarter, losing the game 109-100. In the fourth quarter alone, the Clippers outscored the Warriors 36-17.

Leonard finished the night with 36 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, extending the Warriors losings streak to seven games.

Spellman’s first start

Second-year big man, Spellman has been one of the best members of the Golden State Warriors since the new year began. Without Kevon Looney, and Marquese Chriss getting waived, the Villanova product has received a more significant role in Steve Kerr’s rotation.

Tonight he took his most critical step as a Golden State Warrior, starting his first game and he did not disappoint, Spellman scored 17 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the field, including 4-of-8 beyond the arc.

With his impressive first start, Spellman has now registered five-straight games with double-digit scoring numbers.

Cold in downtown L.A.

After hitting 13 three-pointers against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Golden State Warriors struggled from three against the Los Angeles Clippers. Even with both Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry on the bench, the rest of the Warriors roster couldn’t channel their inner “splash brother.”

The Warriors shot a miserable 8-of-39 from long distance, with Spellman hitting four of the eight. Without Russell, and playing against one of the best rosters in the NBA, Golden State didn’t do itself any favors going cold from beyond the arc.

 

Warriors go ice cold from beyond the arc in Sacramento, falling 111-98

Lack of three-pointers and frustration from the coaching staff in Sacramento lead to the Warriors’ fourth consecutive loss to start the new year.

After playing some of their best basketball over the holidays, the Golden State Warriors have now dropped five-straight games prior to winning their previous four.

A slow start in Sacramento led to an ugly performance from the Warriors, ending with a 111-98 loss to the Kings. The Warriors went as ice-cold as they could possibly get, shooing a miserable 0-for-13 from beyond the arc in the first half.

Glenn Robinson III was finally able to knock down a triple in the third quarter, but that’s when the flood gates opened up for the Kings. Sacramento outscored Golden State, 38-24 in the third period, extending their lead to 26 points before the final quarter started.

Without D’Angelo Russell and Draymond Green, the Warriors struggled from tip-off, but played better in the fourth quarter. The understaff rotation outscored the Kings 34-21 in the fourth, but their poor shooting early spurned any chance of a comeback.

Robinson III led the Warriors in scoring, dropping 16 points, with Omari Spellman behind him with 13, but the Kings’ backcourt was better. De’Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield each scored 21, with veteran, Trevor Ariza adding 18 off the bench.

The Warriors schedule doesn’t get any easier with a pair of contenders next up on the calendar. Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks head into Chase Center next, followed by a trip to the Staples Center with the Clippers waiting.

Missing the Splash Brothers

The Warriors started the game 0-for-17 from beyond the arc, missing every attempt in the first half. Golden State was able to knock down five 3-pointers against the Kings, after Robinson hit their first three with 7:00 left in the third quarter.

According to ESPN Stats & Info, the Warriors’ lack of distance shooting in the first half was the first time the Warriors didn’t make a three-pointer in a half in 808 previous halves of basketball.

Steve Kerr Ejected

Before the halftime buzzer sounded, Steve Kerr was already in the locker room after getting ejected in the second quarter. Kerr appeared to be upset after a De’Aaron Fox wasn’t called for a travel, and started arguing with officials. The next possession Kerr was assessed a technical, that only escalated the situation, leading to another technical for the Warriors’ coach, triggering an ejection from the game.

Kerr has only been ejected three times in his coaching career; however, two of his ejections have happened against the Sacramento Kings.

Assistant coach Mike Brown took over for Kerr to oversee the Warriors for the remainder of the game.

 

Timberwolves blitz Warriors in first game of new decade, 99-84

Lack of three-point shooting hurts the Warriors in their attempt to steal a win in the first game of 2020 in Minnesota.

2020 started much how 2019 ended for the Golden State Warriors— a loss with a limited bench. For the second straight game, the Warriors were without D’Angelo Russell (shoulder), Willie Cauley-Stein (illness), Kevon Looney (abdomen) and it showed.

The Warriors have battled with Minnesota in their first two meetings, in the final matchup of the season, it was a different story. The Timberwolves dominated the shorthanded Dubs to start their 2020 with a lopsided loss, 99-84.

The Timberwolves have struggled from three-point range this season, yet they were able to outshoot Golden State from downtown by a wide margin. Minnesota shot 13-43 from three, while the Warriors only made three total three-pointers on 20 attempts.

Similar to beyond the arc, Minnesota dominated the glass, out-rebounding the Warriors 52-43. Minnesota especially hurt the Warriors on the offensive glass, stealing 17 offensive boards to Golden State’s seven.

The Warriors will have another chance to grab their first win of 2020 over the weekend when the Detroit Pistons travel to Chase Center for the first time.

Slow out of the gate 

The Warriors started the game on a downwards trajectory, getting outscored 34-19 in the first period of the game. Two Timberwolves, Josh Okogie and Shabazz Napier almost combined to outscore the entire Warriors roster in the first quarter. At the same time, Golden State’s leading scorer, Alec Burks, only registered five points.

The Warriors couldn’t stop the Timberwolves scoring in the first quarter with Minnesota shooting 50 percent from the field on 13-of-26 shooting while adding four three-pointers, more than Golden State had all game.

Omari Spellman shakes the earth 

While it was a sloppy game overall for the Golden State Warriors, Omari Spellman provided one of the highlights of the season in the fourth quarter.

The Villanova product caught the ball at the three-point line and used a shot fake to drive the lane then slammed down a vicious one-handed dunk over former Warrior, Jordan Bell.

Bell fouled Spellman trying to go for a block, giving the Warriors the chance to cut the Timberwolves lead down to single digits. Golden State couldn’t complete the comeback, but Spellman’s dunk provided a moment that will get shown on repeat on sports highlight shows across the country.

Smailagic tracker

Alen Smailagic played in his fourth straight NBA game registering 16 minutes against the Timberwolves. Smailagic had seven points, three rebounds, a steal and an assist, registering a team-high plus nine in Minnesota.

Each time the 19-year old Serbian is on the floor, he flashes a new skill, with tonight being his passing ability. Smailagic drove into the lane and found a rolling Eric Paschall for an easy dunk.

Warriors drop ball on New Year’s Eve, falling 117-113 in San Antonio

The Warriors close out the decade with an overtime loss to the San Antonio Spurs, 117-113.

Even with the magic of a new year on the horizon, the AT&T Center is a house of horrors for the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors have struggled to find wins in San Antonio, only winning three games in 31 attempts since the opening of the AT&T Center in 2002. With three key players hitting the injury report before tip-off, things weren’t any easier.

D’Angelo Russell (shoulder), Willie Cauley-Stein (illness) and Kevon Looney (abdominal soreness) all didn’t suit up for San Antonio putting the Warriors at a disadvantage from the start.

Even with a shorthanded rotation, Steve Kerr’s squad battled the Spurs down to the win in their last game of the decade, falling in overtime 117-113.

The Warriors took a two-point advantage into halftime, but Patty Mills and LaMarcus Aldridge didn’t go down easy. The Spurs lead going into the final period. However, a valiant effort from rookie Alen Smailagic, Damion Lee and Alec Burks forced the game into overtime.

In the extra period, the Warriors’ light rotation started to catch up with them, as they had no answer for San Antonio backcourt of Mills, Dejounte Murray and Bryn Forbes.

Countdown to GR3

After bouncing around the NBA in his young career, Robinson III looks like he’s found a home in Golden State. Robinson continued his career season during the Warriors’ New Year’s Eve date with the Spurs, adding 25 points on 10-of-17 shooting from the field.

Without Russell, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, Robinson turned into Golden State’s lead scoring option in San Antonio. The Michigan Wolverine product gave the Warriors a chance to steal a game in San Antonio with his play in the first half. Robinson paced the Warriors in the first half, scoring 18 of his points early.

Lee closes out 2019 making a case for a full-time roster spot

Two-way contract guard is putting in the Warriors in a tough place with his hot play of late. Lee’s solidified himself as the Warriors shooting guard to start 2020, but only has limited time left on his 45-day, two-way contract.

Lee is doing everything he can to make a case for him to stick around with the big club for the remainder of the 2019-20 season, with his game in San Antonio being the perfect example.

Lee tallied 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field, adding seven rebounds and two assists. Lee played solid defense down the stretch while hitting a few clutch shots in the fourth quarter, including a three as the play clock expired.

Alec Burks leads Warriors into 2020

Similar to Robinson III, swingman, Burks stepped up with Russell out and got buckets. Burks carried the Warriors down the stretch, nailing several big shots to add to his game high-28 points. The Colorado product was on fire from beyond the arc, hitting four of five shots from long range.

Burks’ stellar play of late could force the Warriors to make a tough decision with the veteran. To start 2020, trading Burks now, or keeping him as a piece for when Curry and Thompson’s return will be a question the Warriors’ front office will have to answer.

Warriors’ win streak grows to 4 via wild comeback win vs. Suns, 105-96

With an electric fourth quarter, the Golden State Warriors were able to steal a comeback win against the Suns to extend their winning streak.

Unlike Christmas Day against the Houston Rockets, the Golden State Warriors came out flat, and so did San Francisco’s Chase Center. The Warriors looked like they were coming off the hangover of an emotional win, and the Phoenix Suns were making the pay early.

The Suns jumped to a 13-point lead behind the stellar play of Devin Booker, but in the fourth quarter, things changed. The Suns were leading by 10 with seven minutes to play in the game, and the Warriors went nuclear from there, finishing the game on a 29-10 to steal a comeback win, 105-96.

The Warriors outscored the Suns 39-18 in the fourth quarter alone behind 21 combined points from D’Angelo Russell and Alec Burks in the final period.

With the comeback win, the Warriors have extended their winning streak to four— the longest in the NBA’s Western Conference.

Smiley Era Underway

After getting recalled from G League Santa Cruz earlier in the week, rookie Alen Smailagic and Warriors fans everywhere have been waiting for the NBA debut of the Serbian big-man.

Against the Suns, Steve Kerr granted Dub Nation’s wish, playing Smailagic for five minutes, and the rookie didn’t disappoint.

Smailagic scored four points on 2-3 shooting, adding a rebound and a block against the Suns. Smailagic looked supremely confident in NBA action at only 19-years old. The Serbian even stepped out and launched a three-pointer that he couldn’t rattle home.

Forcing Turnovers

Through the first three-quarters of the game, the Phoenix Suns outplayed the Warriors. Still, one thing left the door open for the Golden State comeback—turnovers.

The Suns turned the basketball over 28 times, and the Warriors took advantage, scoring 28 points off turnovers in the game. The Suns’ backcourt of Ricky Rubio and Booker turned the ball over 15 times combined, more than the entire Warriors rotation.

Warriors gift Rockets Christmas coal in biggest win of 2019, 116-104

With the Warriors struggling, they delivered their biggest win of the season on Christmas day against their rival, the Houston Rockets.

The Warriors playing a primetime game on Christmas Day has turned into a holiday institution. However, the cast may have looked a bit different in 2019, but the group played like a Golden State team of the past. 

The Warriors extended their season-long win streak to three games in a 116-104 victory against the favored Houston Rockets. A statement that seemed impossible to believe a month ago. 

Similarily to the Warriors dynasty run, the win against Houston came on the back of their defense. The Warriors limited the Rockets’ potent offense to 37 percent from the field on 100-total field goal attempts. 

Former MVP, Russell Westbrook went 11-for-32 from the field, missing over 21-total shots. On top of that, he went 0-8 from beyond the arc. James Harden scored 24-points, his lowest total in his last 10-games. 

According to ESPN Stats and Info, the Warriors takedown of the Rockets was the biggest upset on Christmas day in 30-years. 

Damion Lee Career Night

Lee, only on a two-way contract, put a punctuation mark on his case to get a full-time deal in the NBA with a career performance on Christmas day. Lee tallied 22 points, three steals, four assists and a shocking 15 rebounds. Lee’s improbable 14 boards were a career-high with his previous high being 11.

Lee made his best James Harden’s impression, knocking down all 10 of his free-throw shots, and going perfect from beyond the arc on two attempts. Lee’s 22 points led the Warriors and provided a spark to the underdog Warriors in their best all season.

In a game featuring three All-Star guards, the two-way contract player, Lee was the best on the floor.

Draymond Green 

Green sealed his fourth carer Christmas Day double-double with 16-points and 11 rebounds, but how he did it was more important than any stat. When Green is a scoring threat, the Warriors play like a different team, and that showed against Houston.

Green was a +20 in the game, with solid defense up-and-down the floor and several big-time shots. With less than two minutes remaining, Green drilled a three to give the Warriors a 115-99 lead, essentially sealing his team’s Christmas Day victory.

James Harden

MVP candidate James Harden registered a double-double, but it didn’t look like a typical day for Houston’s franchise player. The Warriors were sending double-teams at Harden early and often, and it worked.

The Warriors were able to cut down one of Harden’s best assets— the free-throw line. The All-Star leads the NBA in free-throw attempts, averaging 11 attempts per game, but against the Warriors, he only went to the stripe once and missed.

Warriors 113-104 win vs. Minnesota seals first win streak of 2019

The Warriors sealed their first pair of back-to-back wins after beating Minnesota 113-104 in Chase Center Monday night.

For the first time in the 2019-20 season, the Golden State Warriors have won back-to-back games. The Warriors held out against the Minnesota Timberwolves for a 113-104 win to seal their first pair of consecutive wins all season. Heading into tonight, Golden State was the only team in the NBA without back-to-back wins.

At one point, this game looked over, with Golden State holding down a 20-point plus lead in the third quarter, but some sloppy turnovers opened the door for Minnesota to sneak back into the game. With a little back-and-forth in the final period, the Warriors were able to hold off Minnesota and close out the game on multiple free throws late.

The Warriors tandem of D’Angelo Russell and Alec Burks carried the team throughout the night, combining for 55 of the Warriors points. Draymond Green added 14 rebounds himself in the contest. Andrew Wiggins and Jordan McLaughlin paced the Timberwolves, adding 41 combined points, but it was not enough to complete the comeback.

Heading into a Christmas Day matchup against the Houston Rockets, the Warriors are no-longer at the bottom of the NBA standings, as they moved past the Atlanta Hawks and officially hold a winning streak.

D-Lo vs. Minnesota

Russell was once linked to the Timberwolves over the offseason, but Golden State swooped in with a max-contract before they could close the deal. So, there’s no reason for Russell to take revenge against a team he never played for, still, after two games against Minnesota this season, the All-Star guard looks like he’s playing with some extra juice.

Russell had a career night when the Dubs traveled to Minnesota in early November, laying 52-points on the T-Wolves in an overtime loss. Russell continues his hot play versus Minnesota, adding 30 points, four assists, and five three-pointers.

For those counting at home, that’s 82 points combined for Russell in two games against Minnesota.

Alec Burks Train Rolling

NBA journeyman, Burks has been on a tear for the Warriors over his past seven games. averaging 18.6 points per game in that span. Against Minnesota, he may have registered his best game as a Warrior, tallying 25 points, with eight assists on 50 percent shooting from beyond the arc. Burks’ eight assists were a season-high and only one off his career-best.

Burks’ stat-line doesn’t show how important he was to this game. When the game tilted towards Minnesota, Burks steadied the Warriors lineup. Burks hit a pair of timely shots, including a corner three-pointer to extend the Warriors’ lead.