Category: Warriors

Hornets, Devonte’ Graham sting Warriors for another road loss, 106-91

Warriors drop fourth straight game of their road trip behind a big shooting night from the Hornets guard, Devonte’ Graham.

The Warriors went into their current road trip playing some of their best basketball of 2019; now, after four games into the trip, the team is 0-4 after a 106-91 loss to the Charlotte Hornets.

Even with the team being understaffed with injuries and inexperience, the Warriors have played tough against favored teams. However, on their current road swing, that grit has faded, and the Warriors have looked like the team their 4-19 record reflects.

The Warriors were able to grab a lead in the third quarter in Charlotte, but things flipped when Draymond Green and D’Angelo Russell left the floor. The third period ended with the Hornets leading by 10, and the Warriors could never claw back their way back.

The Warriors backcourt couldn’t hang with Charlotte’s duo of Devonte’ Graham and Terry Rozier. The Buzz City pairing combined for 58 of the Hornets 106 points. Rozier and Graham added 17 assists, 14 rebounds, and five steals to their dominant combined performance.

D’Angelo Russell Returns

The Warriors got another All-Star back from injury with the return of D’Angelo Russell after he missed nine games with a sprained right thumb. Russell led the Warriors in scoring with 18 points, with 13 coming in the second quarter.

Russell was a minute restriction and only played 25 minutes in his first game back. The Warriors will continue to be patient with their 23-year-old guard as he builds up his conditioning and rhythm.

Career night for Devonte’ Graham

The former second-round pick, Devonte’ Graham knocked down a career-high 10-three pointers against the Warriors, suitable for a game-high 33 points. The Warriors had no answer for Graham, who was just off completing a triple-double with nine assists and career-high seven rebounds. The Kansas Jayhawk product is having a stellar season in year two of NBA action, adding another impressive performance in his breakout campaign, this time against Golden State.

Warriors flexed from two nationally televised games with ratings down

With the Warriors lacking star power because of injuries to Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, two upcoming nationally televised games have been flexed from the schedule.

The start of the Golden State Warriors 2019-20 season is different for everyone— the players, the fanbase and even the television networks. The Warriors were once the definition of must-watch television, “Splash Brothers,” Draymond Green barking at Kevin Durant, Steve Kerr breaking clipboards, and JaVale McGee “Shaqtin’ a fool.”

Fast forward to 2019, and there’s no Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, or Kevin Durant, just more Kerr breaking clipboards than anything else. Now, most of the Warriors star power is located on the bench as the team leads in the NBA in games missed due to injury.

Curry, Thompson, Green and D’Angelo Russell have all missed significant time with injury in 2019. 15-All-Star appearances combined, all on the mend.

Now, with the league’s worst record, the Warriors are running out players like Willie Cauley-Stein. Glenn Robinson III and Alec Burks as headliners—not exactly household names. The Warriors best ticket might be their 2019 second-round draft pick, Eric Paschall.

Because of injuries and lack of cache, the Warriors television ratings have unsurprisingly dipped. John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal reported Golden State’s ratings on their local network, NBC Sports Bay Area are down 51 percent. It’s not just Golden State that is struggling, ESPN and TNT’s NBA ratings are down according to Ourand.

The Warriors’ bad news regarding television doesn’t stop there as the league announced two upcoming games would be flexed out of national television. December 13 in Utah and December 17 in Portland, will no longer be televised on ESPN.

While the Warriors are struggling, it may be a good idea for the team to take a step back from the national stage and continue to develop. When Curry and Thompson make their return to the lineup, the Warriors will likely be back to getting a litter of nationally televised games.

Michigan State to retire Draymond Green’s No. 23 with Warriors present

Draymond Green will get his number 23 jersey hung in the Michigan State rafters forever with several Warriors watching from the stands.

When No. 11 Michigan State clashes with fellow powerhouse No. 10 Duke, there will be a little more on the line than a typical ACC-Big Ten challenge. “Spartan Dawg” legend, Draymond Green will get his No.23 jersey retired by the university he spent four years at through 2008-12.

Green finished as the school’s all-time leading rebounder (1,096), second in blocks (117) and steals (180). He registered three career college triple-doubles in East Lansing, second to NBA Hall of Famer, Magic Johnson. During his time in white and green, the Saginaw, Michigan standout was a consensus first-team All-American, NABC Player of the Years and Big Ten Player of the Year all in 2012.

Alongside legendary college coach Tom Izzo, Green led the Spartans to two final four appearances and three Big Ten regular-season championships.

When Green’s number gets pulled into the rafters, he will have the support of some of his Golden State teammates, including head coach Steve Kerr.

“One of the things I love about Draymond is I know how much Michigan State means to him, His loyalty to his school is a big part of who he is and a big part of what he’s meant to the Warriors. This is a league where routinely, you get guys after they spent four months on a college campus and then they’re gone.” Kerr told reporters during the team’s trip to Atlanta. “I love the fact that he’s so loyal to his school. That’s his foundation, that’s his rock. We’ve been the beneficiary of everything, Coach Izzo, and the school did for Draymond. It’ll be nice for me to be there. I know Bob (Myers) and Joe (Lacob) feel the same way.”

Warriors general manager Bob Myers, and owner, Joe Lacob, will also be in East Lansing to watch Green’s jersey retirement. Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle reported other individual Warriors would also be in attendance. The team is currently in the middle of a five-game road trip with the Charlotte Hornets next on the docket.

Green’s night will be memorable, but with the Warriors slated to have a high lottery pick, it’s also an opportunity for Myers and the Warriors to get a look at some top prospects playing in the game. Duke players like Vernon Carey Jr, Matthew Hurt and Michigan State’s Cassius Winston could be targets for Golden State in June’s 2020 NBA draft.

Warriors’ frontcourt rotation due for shift with Kevon Looney’s return

The strength of the Warriors lineup is their interior, but will the return of Kevon Looney clog the frontline rotation?

The underlying positive side of the Warriors roster getting tarnished by injury has been the opportunities that have opened up for players at the end of the bench.

Depth pieces like Omari Spellman and Marquese Chriss have impressed with an increased role for the Warriors. Each has earned more playing time, but are their minutes in the Warriors rotation to spare with reinforcements on the way?

For the first time in a long time, Golden State will be getting some healthy bodies returning to the lineup, starting with Kevon Looney. Looney signed a 3-year contract worth $15 million over the offseason and looks to be a core piece for the Warriors’ future. What does that mean for the playing time of Spellman, Chriss and Willie Cauley-Stein?

Adding Looney and a healthy Draymond Green to the Warriors frontcourt suddenly crowds the Warriors big-man rotation— especially if standout rookie Eric Paschall gets minutes at power forward.

Cauley-Stein has started every game he’s been available except for once this season, but hasn’t played a game with Looney next to him. Looney is a bit more versatile and can play both big man positions, while Cauley-Stein is primarily a center option for coach Steve Kerr. Looney’s only start of the season came at the five, with Green playing next to him at the four, in the first game of 2019.

If Kerr opts to continue starting Cauley-Stein, the Warriors can play either Green, Looney, or Paschall at power forward, another crowded position. Both Green and Paschall can play at small forward as well if Kerr decides to go big— something he’s done more of with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson unavailable.

Looney’s return gives Kerr and the Warriors a lot more flexibility with how the team deplores Paschall and Green. With the team still dealing with injuries to their backcourt, Kerr could continue to run Green out as his point guard, with Looney, Cauley-Stein and Pachall all on the floor at the same time.

Looney’s return to the lineup is, of course, a positive; however, it does provide a predicament with the usage of Spellman and Chriss. Each has been seeing a large number of minutes that will probably be split upon Looney’s return to full health.

Spellman’s established himself as a legitimate stretch-four and an offensive rebounding machine, while Chriss has been an energizer off the bench. Each has a unique skill set, but Kerr will have to get creative with how he uses them.

The Warriors will have some time to figure out what rotation works best as they’re still dealing with a crop of injuries. Looney is expected to slowly be worked back into the rotation, while Green is dealing with a lingering sore heel. While Kerr maps out how his frontline will look, Chriss and Spellman will have a handful of more opportunities to show they deserve to be apart of the rotation.

Kevon Looney’s return spoiled by Trae Young, Hawks top Warriors 104-79

Fatigue looked to be a factor as the understaffed Warriors get blown out against Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks.

Regardless of injuries or inexperience, the 2019 Golden State Warriors have battled almost every opponent that’s lined up against them. However, sometimes, the gap in talent and lack of depth outweighs the gritty effort of the Dubs. Tonight the Warriors limited rotation looked tired in Atlanta, never matching the energy of the Hawks in a 104-79 discouraging loss.

Yes, you read that correctly, Golden State only scored 79 points to the second-worst rated defense (114.7) in the NBA. 79 points scored was the lowest of the Warriors 2019 season.

Four Hawks scored in double digits, led by the sophomore star, Trae Young, who paced Atlanta with 24-points and seven assists. Rookie, Eric Paschall, was the only Warrior to surpass the 20-point mark with 24. Golden State turned in another miserable shooting night from beyond the arc, registering under 30 percent for the second straight night.

The Return of Big Loon

The Warriors got a familiar face back with the return of big man, Kevon Looney, against Atlanta. The UCLA product returned from a neuropathic injury, playing 15 minutes, tallying two points, two rebounds and two blocks. Golden State is being patient with Looney’s return, limiting his minutes until his conditioning returns to form.

Turnover City

Ball security was the biggest issue for the Warriors in Atlanta as they turned the ball over 23 times, resulting in 11-points for the Hawks. The bench unit combined for 15 of the team’s total turnovers, each member of the Warriors turned the ball over at least once. The Warriors had six more turnovers than assists (17) versus Atlanta.

The Warriors sorely missed Draymond Green tonight (rest), who served as the team’s primary ball-handler with D’Angelo Russell injured. The Warriors offense lacked any rhythm throughout the game in which every possession seemed like there was a sloppy turnover.

Hitting the Lottery

In the big picture, a loss to Atlanta could be looked at as a good thing when the 2020 NBA draft rolls around in June. Heading into this game, the Warriors and Hawks had the same amount of wins (4), with a loss Golden State’s record falls to 4-18— the worst in the NBA.

With each game in 2019, the Warriors season becomes more about the future, and if that’s the case, tonight could be looked at as a win in when it comes to the 2020 lottery order.

Draymond Green expected to sit vs. Hawks on Warriors road back-to-back

The Warriors are giving veteran, Draymond Green an off day when the team plays the second part of a back-to-back in Atlanta.

Draymond Green is expected to receive a rest day when the Warriors travel to Atlanta for the second leg of a back-to-back. Although it may feel like a case of load management, Green’s day off may be more about his sore heel injury that’s lingering around the former Defensive Player of the Year.

Green missed three-straight games in late November with a heel injury that’s been hampering the Michigan State product’s season.

Green played under 20-minutes in the Warriors tight battle with the Orlando Magic and told reporters after the game that he’s dealing with some inflammation in his heel still.

“I’m not someone who restricts my minutes because of the nature of the season— I restrict my minutes because my heel and to make sure it’s not something that creeps back up,” Green told reporters in Orlando. “If I was going to restrict my minutes due to the nature of the season, I would have done that a long time ago— it’s not about that.”

Connor Letourneau of The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the Kerr could opt to rest Green more throughout the remainder of the season. Green’s one of the only players in 2019 left standing from the core of the championship roster with both “Splash Brothers” injured and Kevin Durant now with the Brooklyn Nets.

On the positive side, Kevon Looney is expected to return from his neuropathic condition against Atlanta, giving the Warriors some flexibility with their frontcourt. The Warriors are deep enough at forward, and down in the standings that they can be patient with Green’s heel.

Warriors had chance at end but miss game-winner, fall to Magic 100-96

Evan Fournier was too much for the Warriors, as the Golden State falls short against the Orlando Magic.

The Warriors 100-96 loss to the Orlando Magic was the perfect display of a continuing theme for the 2019 club— close, but no cigar. The Warriors traded blows back and forth with the Magic all night, but in the end, the Dubs limited rotation couldn’t close out down the stretch.

The Warriors had a chance to steal the game with the final shot, but Alec Burks couldn’t knock down a three-pointer on a beautifully drawn up inbound play from Steve Kerr. Burks had an open look, but the ball was rimmed out on the attempt sealing the Magic’s win.

There’s no doubt Golden State plays a tough and gritty brand of basketball, but the talent gap between the eight-win Magic is just too much over 48-minutes for the understaffed Warriors.

Struggles from Deep

Unlike the standard “Splash Brothers,” long-range basketball, the Warriors could not knock down a three-point shot in Orlando. The team shot a lowly 26.1 percent (6-of-23) from the distance while the Magic poured in 11-threes for the evening. Four different Warriors didn’t register a made three on 13 combined attempts, including rookie Jordan Poole, who dropped in five three against the Heat, but put a zero versus Orlando.

Bonne Nuit

The Warriors defense didn’t have an answer for French guard, Evan Fournier, as he poured in a season-high 32-points against the struggling defense. Fournier knocked down six three-pointers on 10-attempts. Fournier tied the entire Warriors team for made three-pointers in Sunday night’s tilt.

Willie Cauley-Stein

Kentucky product Willie Cauley-Stein turned in one of his most complete games of the season, registering hid first double-double performance as a Warrior. Cauley-Stein grabbed 12 boards while adding 11 points, three assists, one steal and one block. Cauley-Stein’s double-double was an encouraging sign for a player that’s had an underwhelming start to the 2019-20 season.

Help is on the way

Luckily for Golden State, the team got some positive news regarding a trio of injured players before things tipped off in Orlando, staring with Kevon Looney, who is scheduled to return in the team’s upcoming matchup in Atlanta.

The good news doesn’t stop there as the team could be getting back D’Angelo Russell and Jacob Evans III before the five-game road trip closes out. They’ll need all the help they can get when they face off against second-year Atlanta superstar, Trae Young.

Kevon Looney will have pitch count for Warriors in return vs. Atlanta

The Warriors are finally slated to get their big man, Kevon Looney back from injury, but when he returns he will see a minute restriction.

A bevy of injuries has overwhelmed the Warriors to start the 2019-20 season. However, what feels like a first in a long time, the team is getting some positive news regarding their banged-up squad.

Draymond Green has returned from a hampering sore heel, D’Angelo Russell, and Jacob Evans are progressing. Now, Kevon Looney is expected to be back on the court in the Warriors’ upcoming game against the Atlanta Hawks.

Looney’s missed all but 10-minutes of the new season with a neuropathic condition that was affecting his right hamstring. Looney returned to practice with the Warriors G League affiliate last week, and has progressed to practicing in full with the big club on their road trip. Steve Kerr told reporters in Orlando that the plan would be for Looney to return when the team squares off with the Atlanta Hawks.

“Loon is scheduled to play tomorrow,” coach Kerr told reporters in Orlando. “He’ll go through his work today, then his treatment tomorrow morning, and we’ll make a decision then, but the plan is for him to play tomorrow night.”

Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle reported Looney would be on a minute restriction when he gets back to the court. Last week both Looney and Kerr mentioned wanting to make sure the UCLA product’s conditioning was under him before seeing game action.

The Warriors are going to be patient with Looney after signing him to a three-year, $15 million contract over the offseason, but his return to the lineup will give the team a viable option inside with experience.

Injured Warriors backcourt duo could return during current road trip

The Warriors have been riddled with injuries to their backcourt, but reinforcements could be on the way in the form of D’Angelo Russell and Jacob Evans III.

A tear of injuries has ravaged the Warriors roster from top-to-bottom, with the biggest hit coming to the backcourt. Injuries to Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry and D’Angelo Russell have made headlines, but even bench pieces like Damion Lee and Jacob Evans have missed extended time.

After leading the NBA in games missed due to injury all season long, help could finally be coming to the backcourt with the return of both Russell and Jacob Evans III.

The injured backcourt duo traveled with the team to start their current five-game road swing and could return to the lineup before they return home.

According to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, Russell is making progress with his right thumb sprain. He will miss the next two games with the target to return at either the tail end of the road trip or at the start of the upcoming homestand.

Slater also reported that second-year guard, Evans practiced with the team after the Miami game and could even return by the end of the road trip. Evans has missed 17 of the team’s 20 games this season with an adductor injury, but looks to be on his way back in a season that initially had high expectations.

With several departures and injuries in the offseason, the Warriors 2018 first-round pick was slated to have an increased role at point guard in Steve Kerr’s offense.

Any fresh body will provide a boost to a Warriors rotation that is currently only running out only nine healthy players.

Stephen Curry shows off incredible memory during career highlight quiz

What isn’t Stephen Curry good at? The All-Star guard was quizzed on some of his career highlights in his career and didn’t miss.

The Golden State Warriors broadcast team is pulling out all the stops during the team’s underperforming 2019-20 season. The Warriors flagship television station, NBC Sports Bay Area, has utilized both of the “Splash Brothers” in recent broadcasts.

Klay Thompson served as the team’s sideline reporter against the Chicago Bulls, while Stephen Curry sat in as an analyst during the pregame and postgame coverage for the Warriors matchup against the Miami Heat.

The broadcast had some games planned for Curry, including a pop-a-shot shootout with Warriors Hall of Famer, Chris Mullin, and a quiz on some of his career highlights.

The only information the three-time champion was told was the game’s date and then was asked to state the highlight that came out of that game. Some of the highlights went back to 2010, and in familiar Curry fashion, he did not miss. Watch the NBC Sports Bay Area video below to see Curry’s memory on display.

After Curry was perfect in the pregame show, the broadcast decided to double-down in the postgame and rechallenge the guard. Curry knocked down every highlight the show lined up until he was finally stumped when asked about a preseason game from 2015.

Watching Curry do his thing in front of the camera begs the question, what can’t he do? Two time NBA MVP, scratch golfer, television personality, and now a photographic memory. Warriors fans won’t be seeing Curry return to the floor anytime soon as he recovers from his broken hand. However, an appearance on the television broadcast might be the next best thing.