The Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks have combined for a league-low nine wins, but the lowly tandem squared off in Chase Center, where one team had to leave with a win.
Both teams had moments where they looked like the team their record reflected. Still, surprisingly, it was one of the most exciting games in Chase Center’s young history.
The Warriors fell out of the gate, falling behind by 18-points in the first half against the New York squad, but even a 22-point second-half lead wasn’t big enough for the Warriors to quit.
D’Angelo Russell, Marquese Chriss and Draymond Green paced Golden State for a mighty comeback, roaring back to even take the lead of their own in a 62-point second-half effort.
Russell nailed a tough three-pointer with seconds left on the clock to send the game into overtime, but the Warriors failed to complete the full comeback, losing 124-122 in overtime.
The Knicks had previously lost 10-straight before a win in San Francisco, that moved the Warriors to 5-21 on the season. The Warriors have lost six of their last seven and will now head on the road to Utah against the surging Jazz.
The Chriss Show
Steve Kerr adjusted his lineup card in the second half, starting Chriss at center instead of the perineal starter, Willie Cauley-Stein. The switch to the rotation thrived Chriss, who scored 12-points during the Warriors comeback run. The best moment for Chriss came on the defensive end of the floor when he blocked rookie, RJ Barrett, that led to a Russell transition three for Golden State.
With Chriss capitalizing on Kerr’s decision to start him in the second half, the Warriors could continue to roll with the former Washington Husky at the five in the future.
The block and the staredown from Chriss 😳
D-Lo finishes the play with the 👌 pic.twitter.com/1zMzSfGbNX
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) December 12, 2019
D-Lo’s Back
In his first two games back from a thumb injury, Russell looked out of rhythm. His shot wasn’t falling like normal until the New York Knicks came to town.
Russell dropped 32-points, six assists and six three-pointers. Russell’s most critical shot came at the end of regulation, when he was able to knock down a game-saving three with a New York defender right in his face.
The Warriors desperately need Russell to be their primary scorer and ball-handler on offense, with tonight being the first positive sign for the All-Star since returning from injury.
ICE. IN. HIS. VEINS. pic.twitter.com/pSLQC6HMWP
— Tommy Call III (@tommy_III) December 12, 2019