Tag: Jonas Valanciunas

Omari Spellman critical of Warriors after ‘no effort’ loss in Memphis

Omari Spellman didn’t shy away from being critical of the Golden State Warriors during their eight-game losing streak.

The Golden State Warriors looked like they capped off the end of 2019 on a high note, winning four straight games — their longest win streak of the 2019-20 season. However, since the 2020 new year kicked off, the season couldn’t be more upside down for Golden State.

In a year riddled with losses, the Warriors have surpassed their season-high after their recent loss in Memphis. The Warriors were blown out by The Grizzlies 122-102 to seal their eighth consecutive loss. Golden State has yet to register a win since the calendar turned to 2020.

One of the bright spots during the Warriors struggles has been their second-year center, Omari Spellman. The Villanova product has had double digits scoring nights in six straight contests, good enough to earn him his first start as a member of Golden State.

Even with his steady play and growing role, Spellman is unsatisfied with Golden State’s losing streak. The former Atlanta Hawk spoke to the media after the Warriors’ loss to the Grizzlies and didn’t hold back when it came to his team’s performance in Memphis.

No effort. No intensity. No nothing. We just out there running, that’s it. Them being NBA basketball players, they hit us over the head, that’s all that happened.

Grizzlies center, Jonas Valanciunas, racked up 31 points and 19 rebounds against the Golden State frontcourt. According to Spellman, it wasn’t the Memphis size that hurt the Warriors; it was due to the team not playing hard.

No, we didn’t play hard, he’s just taller than us — If you’re not playing hard and just standing there, that happens.

Spellman doesn’t have a solution to why the young Golden State club is lacked effort.

I don’t know — I really don’t, I’m too young to know stuff like that, but I know what I see.

Spelman will find out soon if his message resonated with the Warriors locker room as they will be challenged right away with Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks up next on the schedule. Following the Mavericks, the playoff-hopeful Denver Nuggets will travel to San Francisco.

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.