SAN FRANCISCO – There was merely no solution to match the vitality of Tuesday evening three days later at Chase Middle.
The air within the constructing throughout the return of Klay Thompson was that of an NBA playoff environment. Friday evening’s temper grew stronger as thousands and thousands watched the spectacle of a 58-year-old pigeon combating a cartoon character posing as a boxer.
A sport of deception was actually on the desk. As an alternative, the Warriors fought off early photographs and outlasted the Ja Morant-less Memphis Grizzlies, 123-118.
Steph Curry in his earlier two video games scored a complete of 73 factors and made 12 3-pointers. The Grizzlies made it a degree to protect Curry wherever he went, which allowed him to attain simply 13 factors in 26 minutes. Curry took simply 9 photographs, making 4 of 9 general and three of seven from three. However he added eight rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals.
Steph stops and enters 🔥 pic.twitter.com/9nKYXmKYJO
– Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) November 16, 2024
Whereas the Warriors made 19 three-pointers and a 41.3 3-point proportion, the Grizzlies made simply seven, with a low 16.7 3-point proportion. The Warriors additionally received the bench battle, 67-61.
Listed here are three takeaways from the Warriors’ enchancment to 10-2, in addition to 2-0 within the NBA Cup.
Draymond from downtown
On an evening the place Curry is not being hell, each level counts. Particularly from Draymond Inexperienced, and much more so behind the 3-point line.
Inexperienced missed his first two 3-point makes an attempt within the first quarter and did not try it as soon as within the second. However within the third, he made 2 of 4 photographs from lengthy vary. It is not precisely a heater, however traditionally it is a massive drawback for Inexperienced and Golden State as an entire.
Dray for Trey 3️⃣ pic.twitter.com/PV8fFUr2mn
– Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) November 16, 2024
Inexperienced’s consecutive three-pointers early within the third quarter gave the Warriors an 11-point two-point lead. It additionally prolonged his streak from three to 4 consecutive video games, matching a profession excessive. How essential is that this matter? The Warriors at the moment are 140-30 all-time within the common season when making two or extra 3-pointers in a sport.
Final season, Inexperienced shot a career-high 39.5 p.c on 3-pointers. After going 3 of seven towards the Grizzlies, Inexperienced is now capturing 45.2 p.c from past the arc this season, making 19 of 42 makes an attempt.
Unhealthy luck for the waters
The Warriors had been dealt a serious damage blow on Thursday when it was introduced that De’Anthony Melton suffered a sprained left ACL. Coach Steve Kerr, in his pregame press convention, stated there’s nonetheless no timetable for Melton’s return, however he’s anticipated to overlook at the very least some video games. Then, throughout the second quarter on Friday evening, the Warriors had been as soon as once more bitten by the pest of an damage.
Lindy Waters III bought his second begin of the season, changing Melton, and scored 5 factors within the first quarter. His 3-pointer from the nook scored the Warriors’ first three factors of the night.
Waters has his shot sinking early 💦 pic.twitter.com/FT9UDxSfwN
– Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) November 16, 2024
With two minutes left within the first half, Waters had eight factors and made two threes. He additionally had an excellent block, however the end result noticed him on the bottom and out for the sport. Waters jumped two ft to satisfy Santi Aldama on the rim to dam him off the backboard. However when he landed, Waters’ left leg buckled and he instantly grabbed his left knee. Waters was rolling on the bottom to get out of the sport whereas writhing in ache.
After being down for a short time and being handled by trainers, Waters bought up and ran down the tunnel unassisted, however with a slight limp. At halftime, the Warriors introduced he was out for the rest of the sport with what was identified as hyperextension of the left knee.
Brandin Podziemski began the second half instead of Waters.
Sport of the sport
Scratch that. The piece of the yr? From a purely scoring standpoint, it needs to be.
Coronary heart and hustle with eyes behind your head. Podziemski offered the three in a chunk that appeared too good to be true. Phrases do not do it justice. Observe and do your greatest to maintain your jaw from touching the ground.
WHAT PODZ PASS 🤯 pic.twitter.com/6GSOAIlTFB
– Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) November 16, 2024
What began with Jonathan Kuminga flattening a Grizzlies cross try ended with a operating dunk for 2 factors. Within the center was one of the crucial spectacular passes in the complete NBA. Not solely did Podziemski run into the entrance row of followers to maintain the play alive, however he additionally used his non-dominant proper hand to throw a cross behind his again, someway delivering it within the stride to Kuminga, who caught the ball with one bounce and rapidly. jumped on former Defensive Participant of the 12 months Jaren Jackson Jr.
The beginning of the season has not been preferrred for Podziemski. This piece can be a direct instance of the vitality he at all times brings every time his identify is known as.
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