The Warriors have been without both “Splash Brothers,” Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry for a significant part of the 2019-20 season, and to say it’s hurt Golden State would be an understatement.
Although the Warriors have won their past two games, they still sit near the bottom of the NBA standings with a 7-24 record. A large contingent of those losses have come because Golden State is missing their pair of All-NBA guards.
Thompson’s missed every game this season, while Curry’s been out since Halloween. Dealing with long-term injuries have taken away Curry and Thompson from the team as they rehab.
Now with Curry in the next stage of his rehab, he’s able to be around the team more, next to Thompson, who’s been on the bench on and off throughout the season.
The benefit of having two championship-caliber guard cheering on a struggling group of young Warriors’ players has been crucial in the team’s recent success.
Swingman, Alec Burks told reporters after the Warriors 113-104 win against the Timberwolves that Curry and Thompson being around the team during this time is critical.
“I think just seeing them anywhere, just being around, because you know they don’t have to be around because of their injuries— they don’t have to be here,” said Burks. “Them doing their rehab here, being around the guys still joking and laughing—I think that’s big for a young team to see that,”
All-Star guard D’Angelo Russell said having Thompson and Curry back on the bench brings contagious energy not only to the team, but the fanbase at Chase Center.
“You feel that energy—the crowd wants that,” said Russell. “They play their part too, and you got those guys on the bench leading the way with that energy—it’s contagious.”
D’Angelo Russell on the Warriors’ two-game winning streak: pic.twitter.com/F6bQPUUQfE
— Connor Letourneau (@Con_Chron) December 24, 2019
Without veteran stalwarts like Shaun Livingston, David West and Andrew Bogut on the Warriors roster anymore, Steve Kerr is looking for Curry and Klay to step up as leaders, even from the bench, or the practice floor.
“I think our young guys are learning every day, and Steph and Klay have been leaders for a long time, and so many of our other leaders have moved on; they really stand out along with Draymond—they’re the foundation of this team,” said Kerr to reporters after the Minnesota game. “To have them here cheering the guys on—working out around them being on the practice floor—I think it’s really good for our young guys.”
Although the Warriors are in a transition period, not many rosters with a bottom of the barrel record have the support of two future Hall of Famers on their bench.