Tag: Warriors History

Warriors Playoff Rewind: Sleepy Floyd erupts for 51 points vs. Showtime Lakers in 1987

In 1987, Sleepy Floyd ripped off a record-breaking performance in the fourth quarter to lead the Warriors past the “Showtime” Los Angeles Lakers.

When the calendar turns to the month of May, the NBA playoffs are usually in full swing. However, with the 2019-20 season on hold for over two months due to the coronavirus pandemic, there is no playoff basketball on the current radar.

Despite the league going on hiatus, the Golden State Warriors playoff hopes were already decided with 17 games remaining. With a league-worst 15-50 record, the Warriors became the first team in the association to be eliminated from playoff contention.

With playoff action on hold until further notice, Warriors Wire is digging deep into Golden State’s postseason history to find rewatchable matchups and standout performances.

Before there was Stephen Curry, “We Believe” or “Run TMC,” Eric “Sleepy” Floyd led the Golden State Warriors with a thrilling playoff moment.

May 10, 1987

After taking out the Utah Jazz in the opening round of the Western Conference playoffs, the Warriors advanced to play the Los Angeles Lakers in round two.

With their star-studded lineup of Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy and Byron Scott, the Showtime Lakers blasted past the Warriors in the first three games of the series.

The Warriors were down 14 points heading into the final quarter of game four with Floyd recording a modest 22 points. Facing elimination, Floyd exploded for an eye-popping scoring performance.

The Georgetown product erupted in the fourth quarter to put Golden State on the comeback trail. Floyd shattered a pair of playoff records with 29 points in the fourth quarter and 39 points in the second half. The Warriors sealed their comeback with a 129-121 victory in Oakland to extend the series.

The 1987 All-Star guard racked up 51 points against the Lakers on 18-of-26 shooting from the field in 44 minutes. Floyd added 10 assists and three rebounds.

Scott, Abdul-Jabbar and Johnson combined for 71 points, but it wasn’t enough for the Golden State guard.

Along with Floyd, only Wilt Chamberlain, Rick Barry and Kevin Durant have scored 50 or more points in the playoffs donning a Golden State kit.

Watch highlights from Floyd’s career-night via YouTube:

The Warriors couldn’t translate Floyd’s magic in Los Angeles, dropping game five to the Lakers, 118-106. After eliminating Golden State, the Lakers swept the Seattle Supersonics in four games before advancing to the NBA Finals. The Lakers cruised past their rival Boston Celtics in six games to put an exclamation point on their run to a championship.

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Warriors Playoff Rewind: Steph Curry drops 40 in 2016 ‘I’m back’ game in Portland

It’s been four years since Stephen Curry exploded for 40 points in the “I’m here, I’m back” game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Throughout the 2019-20 season, Stephen Curry has missed 60 games for the Golden State Warriors. His absence from the lineup has had a dramatic impact on the Warriors’ chances of returning to the NBA playoffs for the eighth straight time. 

With 17 games remaining on the calendar, the Warriors are the first team in the league to be eliminated from playoff contention. Despite the Warriors missing the playoffs in 2020, the past handful of years has provided a balanced wave of postseason highlights. 

Although Curry’s return to action was shortened to only one game before the NBA season was put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, the two-time Most Valuable Player’s comeback in the 2016 playoffs produced a legendary moment. 

May 9, 2016 

After spraining his knee against the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs, Curry made his awaited return versus the Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference Semifinals game four. 

After dropping game three behind Damian Lillard’s 40 points, the Warriors found themselves in another tight game in Portland. Without Curry in the starting lineup, the Warriors fell behind big to start the game, but a back and forth battle broke out after the first quarter. 

Harrison Barnes drilled a 3-pointer with 52 seconds remaining to push the game into overtime. Prior to the start of OT, Curry recorded 23 points against the Blazers. Once the bell rang for the extra period, Curry exploded. 

The six-time All-Star snapped an NBA record, scoring 17 points in overtime to blast past the Blazers, 132-125. 

With just under two minutes remaining in overtime, Curry splashed a deep 3-pointer from the top of the key forcing the Blazers to call a timeout. As the teams were walking to the bench, Curry famously called out —  “I’m here. I’m back.” 

Curry’s 40 point performance on 16-of-32 shooting with nine rebounds and eight assists in 37 minutes will forever be known as the “I’m back” game. 

Watch highlights from Curry’s return to the playoffs via YouTube: 

The Warriors eliminated the Blazers in game five Oakland to move on to face Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. 

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Warriors Rewind: Joe Fulks leads Philadelphia Warriors to 1947 championship over Chicago

Joe Fulks tallied 34 points against the Chicago Stags for the first BAA championship in 1947.

Long before Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green hoisted Larry O’Brien trophies in Oracle Arena, a championship foundation was built at the start of the Warriors organization.

Before the franchise moved to the Bay Area, the Philadelphia edition of the Warriors were winning hardware of their own. In 1947, the inaugural season of the Basketball Association of America kicked off with 11 teams in two divisions.  

Eddie Gottlieb’s Warriors earned a playoff bid with a 35-25 record. After eliminating the St. Louis Bombers and New York Knicks, the Philadelphia Dubs faced the Western Division-leading Chicago Stags in the first-ever BAA Finals. 

The Warriors opened the series with a pair of decisive victories to give them a 2-0 lead. In game three, the Warriors stole a three-point road win, but in the fourth game of the series, they could not complete the sweep. After a one-point Chicago win in game four, the Warriors went back to Philadelphia for a chance to clinch the title on their home floor.

April 22, 1947

Philadelphia rallied from an eight-point deficit in the fourth quarter to be crowned champions with an 83-80 victory in game five of the 1947 BAA Finals. 

Future Hall of Famer Joe Fulks capped off his Finals run with 34 points on 10-of-34 shooting. The 1947 BAA scoring champion lived at the free-throw line, knocking down 14-of-18 attempts from the stripe against the Stags. 

View the box score from the Warriors first championship via Basketball Reference — here.

Via @WarriorsPR: 

The BAA championship from the 1946-47 inaugural season will forever be remembered alongside the Warriors five other title banners in San Francisco’s Chase Center. 

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Warriors Rewind: John Stockton and Karl Malone clash with Run TMC in 1991

On April 21, 1991, Run TMC combined for 81 points against John Stockton, Karl Malone and the Utah Jazz.

Looking back into past highlights and games has been a compelling option without live NBA hoops. With Golden State’s season on pause with 17 games remaining, Warriors Wire is digging deep through Bay Area basketball history to find standout performances, game-winners and rewatchable matchups.

Before chants of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green echoed through Oracle Arena and the Chase Center, the Warriors’ fanbase focused on another high-powered trio.

In the 1990s, Chris Mullin, Tim Hardaway and Mitch Richmond formed the dynamic group forever known as “Run TMC.” While they may not get documentary treatment like “The Last Dance,” Run TMC provided an entertaining brand of basketball.

April 21, 1991

In the final game of the regular season, the Golden State Warriors were eyeing a five-game winning streak to cap off 1991. Before the Western Conference playoffs kicked off, the Warriors welcomed the All-Star duo of John Stockton and Karl Malone.

The Warriors broke out of the gate to capture an early lead behind Mitch Richmond’s hot shooting. Richmond tallied 32 points on 14-of-21 shooting with six rebounds. The Kansas State product’s 32 points against Utah was his 17th bout recording 30 or more points in the 1990-91 season.

“The Mail Man” paced Richmond with 32 points of his own on 10-of-20 shooting with five rebounds. Malone buried 12 of his 14 attempts from the free-throw line. Stockton added 15 points and 11 assists, but it wasn’t enough against Run TMC.

Chris Mullin complemented his teammate with 28 points and eight rebounds. To put a bow on the trio’s performance, Tim Hardaway registered a double-double on 21 points and 10 boards. Mark that 81 combined points for Run TMC in Golden State’s 125-106 victory over Utah.

Check out the boxscore from the 1991 matchup filled with All-Star talent via Basketball Reference — here.

The Warriors win against the Jazz was the final regular-season contest of the Run TMC era. Richmond was traded to the Sacramento Kings in November of 1991.

Both teams made it to the playoffs, advancing through to the second round, but each were eliminated in game five of the Western Conference semifinals.

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Warriors History: Steph Curry blasts Grizzlies for 46 points in record breaking 73rd win in 2016

April 13, 2016, will live in Golden State Warriors’ history.

During the NBA hiatus, Warriors Wire has been digging through the past of the Golden State Warriors — highlighting thrilling performances, game-winners and rewatchable matchups.

April 13, 2016, the Golden State Warriors welcomed the Memphis Grizzlies to the Bay Area. Golden State’s 125-104 win to cap off the 2016 regular season is now etched into NBA history books for the future.

The Warriors’ victory clinched their 73rd victory — the most regular-season wins in NBA history. Golden State erased the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls longstanding 72-10 record.

Golden State jumped out to a 14 point lead in the first quarter to set an already rowdy Oracle Arean into a full frenzy. The Warriors cruised to a record-breaking win behind another stellar showing from their Most Valuable Player candidate.

Stephen Curry tallied 46 points on 15-of-24 shooting with 10 makes from beyond the arc in 29 minutes. Golden State’s point guard added six assists, four rebounds and two steals against Memphis in 29 minutes.

Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, Harrison Barnes and Marreese Speights all scored in double figures with Shaun Livingston dishing out 10 dimes off the bench.

Watch highlights from Golden State’s 125-104 victory via YouTube:

Golden State’s 73rd win sealed a campaign filled with record-breaking moments. In 2016, the Warriors set records for most road wins (34) and consecutive wins to start a season (24). However, Golden State couldn’t put a bow on the season, losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.

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Today in Warriors history: Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis put on a show at Oracle Arena in 2018

Before facing off in the playoffs, Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis put on a show at the end of the 2017-18 regular season.

It’s been almost one month since the Golden State Warriors suited up for a regular-season game. With 17 games left on the schedule, the 2019-20 season was put on hold until further notice due to the coronavirus pandemic.

With no hoops on the radar, Warriors Wire is rewinding the clock back through Golden State’s history to find compelling matchups from the past.

Before each All-Star moved on to their new homes, Kevin Durant and the Warriors faced off against the Anthony Davis led New Orleans Pelicans.

April 7, 2018

In the final regular-season home game at Oracle Arena, five members of the Warriors squad were ruled out, including Stephen Curry, as the team prepared for a playoff run. However, one of the league’s most dynamic players was still in the lineup for Golden State.

Durant capped off Oracle’s regular season with 41 points on 16-on-26 shooting with 10 rebounds and five assists. Yet, the reigning Finals Most Valuable Player’s efficient double-double wasn’t enough against the gritty Pelicans.

Davis struck back with a double-double performance of his own. The Kentucky product tallied 34 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and two steals against the defending champions. Another Kentucky alum, Rajon Rondo added 12 points and 17 assists in the Pelicans 126-120 win in Oakland.

Watch highlights from Durant’s 41 point effort against New Orleans via House of Highlights via YouTube:

Although the Pelicans closed out Oracle Arena with an upset win, the Warriors got revenge in the playoffs. Golden State eliminated the Pelicans in the second round of the Western Conference postseason, 4-1.

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Today in Warriors history: Antawn Jamison drops 41 on the Denver Nuggets in 2003

With no basketball on the schedule, Warriors Wire is looking back into Golden State’s history for noteworthy performances of the past.

It’s been over three weeks since the Golden State Warriors played a basketball game. The 2019-20 season has been suspended with 17 games remaining on the schedule due to the coronavirus pandemic.

To help fill the gap with hoops are on hold, Warriors Wire is looking back into Golden State’s history to find standout performances from the past.

Before he was the director of pro personnel for the Washington Wizards, Antawn Jamison was the face of the Golden State Warriors franchise. In his final season with the Warriors, the North Carolina product toasted the Denver Nuggets for his 2003 season-high.

April 6, 2003

With Golden State’s playoff hopes dwindling and only a few games remaining on the schedule, Jamison decided to put on one last show for Warriors’ fans before the end of the season.

The former lottery pick dropped a season-high 41 points on 17-of-24 shooting from the field. Jamison added 14 rebounds to complete his 14th double-double of the season.

Jamison’s monster night pushed Golden State to a smooth 106-99 victory at the Arena in Oakland.

Check out the full box score from the Warriors win over the Nuggets in 2003 here.

After averaging 22.2 points and seven rebounds per game in 2002-03, the Warriors moved Jamison in the offseason to the Dallas Mavericks in a nine-player deal that included Nick Van Exel, Avery Johnson, Chris Mills and Danny Fortson.

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David West shares story about Klay Thompson’s ‘somber’ mood before his career-high 60 point performance

According to David West, Klay Thompson was “somber” before he scored his career-high 60 points.

With each story, the legend of Klay Thompson only continues to grow.

In an interactive Q&A session on his Instagram, former Warrior David West was asked a question about Klay Thompson. The retired power forward shared an inside story about Thompson’s 60 point night against the Indiana Pacers in 2016.

West said Thompson was “mad somber” before the game because he missed a previous Golden State shootaround or practice.

Via @WarriorsTalk on Twitter:

The night he had 60 — Klay [Thompson] had missed shootaround or the practice the day before. He was kind of in one of those moods — nobody really knew what was going on. He was mad somber before that game, almost like he had let people down —  let us down or whatever. I just remember getting the feeling looking at him, and then he just came out and went off. He probably said like five words the whole day before the game. That just came out, let off and didn’t do no dribbling like that was craziest — all he did was catch and shoot the ball. He didn’t do no moves. He didn’t do nothing, but just run and catch and shoot the ball. That was probably the craziest thing I’ve seen.

Despite feeling “somber,” Thompson’s mood didn’t seem to matter against Paul George and the Pacers. The sharpshooter tallied a career-high 60 points on 21-of-33 shooting without playing the final quarter.

Thompson drilled eight three-pointers in Golden State’s 142-106 victory in 2016. Adding to his legendary performance, the All-Star guard only recorded an improbable 11 dribbles in the entire game.

West’s behind the scene story only adds another layer to Thompson’s notorious scoring night.

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Today in Warriors history: Baron Davis and Tracy McGrady each drop 40 in 2005 duel

in 2005, Tracy McGrady and Baron Davis put on a show to remember.

While the NBA season is on hold with 17 games remaining, Warriors Wire is looking back into Golden State’s history to highlight standout performances of the past.

Before James Harden and Stephen Curry battled in the Western Conference playoffs, another pair of guards from the Rockets and Warriors went toe-to-toe in Oracle Arena.

April 5, 2005

With seven games remaining in the season, the Houston Rockets were vying for playoff position, while the Warriors were looking to build momentum into the offseason.

After acquiring Baron Davis from the Charlotte Hornets in February, the new point guard was putting the finishing touches on a memorable first impression in Golden State.

When the Rockets rolled into Oakland, Davis cemented himself as the Warriors’ new leader of the future. The UCLA product dropped a career-high 40 points with 13 assists and five rebounds. Davis added 15 points on his 16 trips to the free-throw line against Houston.

Tracy McGrady matched Davis’ performance with 44 points on 18-of-34 shooting with seven assists and five rebounds, but it wasn’t enough. Golden State cruised to a 122-117 victory to extend their late-season winning streak to six games.

Watch highlights from the “We Believe” legend’s career night against McGrady on Youtube:

Today in Warriors History: Trio of All-Stars link up for 82 points vs. Trail Blazers in 2016

On April 3, 2016, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson combined for a classic performance against the Trail Blazers.

The NBA season has been suspended for three weeks. Yet, it’s been even longer since Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson suited up as a unit.

Since dropping the 2019 NBA Finals to the Toronto Raptors, injuries have limited Curry, Thompson and Green’s time on the court together.

With the NBA season on hold, Warriors Wire is looking back into signature performances from Curry, Green and Thompson. On April 3, 2016, the Golden State Warriors’ core of All-Stars were clicking on all cylinders.

April 3, 2016

With only five games left in the season, the Warriors were closing in on NBA record for most wins in the regular season. While Golden State was chasing history, the Portland Trail Blazers were fighting for playoff position.

In his hometown arena, Damian Lillard dropped 38 points — his third-highest scoring total of the 2015-16 season. However, it wasn’t enough against the Warriors.

Curry matched Lillard with 39 points on 13-of-21 shooting from the field. The reigning Most Valuable Player nailed nine 3-pointers in Golden State’s victory over the Trail Blazers.

While Curry produced an electric night from beyond the arc, Green filled the rest of the stat sheet. The Michigan State product recorded his 13th triple-double of the season with 22 points, 10 assists, 10 rebounds, three blocks and two steals.

With Thompson’s 21 points, Golden State’s trio tallied 82 of the Warriors 136 points.

Watch highlights from the Warriors 136-111 win against the Blazers from 2016 via YouTube: