MILWAUKEE — It’s solely been two video games with Jimmy Butler, however the Warriors already appear to be a special crew: one that may mount a comeback and draw back.
Additionally one that may have bother slowing down dynamic scoring guards.
The Warriors had no reply for Damian Lillard, who scored 38 on 12-for-20 taking pictures, however however closed out the Giannis Antetokounmpo-less Bucks by taking management of the fourth quarter in a 125-111 win. It was the second straight success of the Butler-Steph Curry pairing.
“Every possession just doesn’t seem as hard,” Curry mentioned postgame. “You still see attention, you still see defenses, but you have to worry about something else. We’re just putting people in the right spots. Obviously, I want to be aggressive. I think earlier in the year, that aggression didn’t necessarily lead to anything as consistently as it has the last two games.”
Curry (38 factors, six rebounds, 4 assists) countered Lillard together with his fourth straight 30-point sport, his first such streak since 2021. Butler registered 20 factors, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Quinten Submit hit huge photographs late whereas each Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody — slotted into extra acceptable roles — made spectacular two-way contributions.
The Warriors began small, with Draymond Inexperienced at middle, however nonetheless dominated the rebounding battle, 47 to 36. By producing 17 extra photographs by way of boards and forcing 20 turnovers, the Warriors’ poor taking pictures night time didn’t matter.
Butler’s presence permits Curry to return nearer to his conventional substitution sample, enjoying the primary 10 minutes of the primary and third quarters and the final six-plus of the half and sport. Butler’s potential to fabricate offense with Curry off the court docket provides the Warriors extra confidence in sitting him for longer stretches.
Curry used the chance to strike a rhythm early, sinking a trio of first-quarter 3s. When he’s aggressive early, defenses appear to overreact much more to him, opening up possibilities for his teammates.
Curry dropped 11 factors within the first quarter, which Oakland native Damian Lillard practically matched. Lillard went for 43 factors and eight assists the night time earlier than, cooking as his crew wants him to shoulder the load with out Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf).
Lillard hit photographs in 1-on-1 conditions in opposition to Curry, Butler and anybody else who tried to test him. It was the primary time the Warriors performed in opposition to a deadly on-ball creator with out Andrew Wiggins, who was their finest point-of-attack defender earlier than heading to Miami within the Butler commerce.
Golden State’s offense made up for it, although, with a gentle weight-reduction plan of paint seems and foul photographs. Butler broke Milwaukee’s zone by enjoying on the free throw line, pivoting and making good selections. To beat the halftime buzzer, he caught the ball within the brief roll and located Draymond Inexperienced beneath for a layup.
Milwaukee took its first lead for the reason that opening body on an AJ Inexperienced nook 3 because the Warriors’ offense clogged as much as begin the third.
Curry, sensing the necessity for his scoring, snaked his means into an and-1 to achieve 27 factors. Butler carried the crew as he sat, discovering Quinten Submit for a jam, dealing with up Pat Connaughton for a bucket, bruising his technique to the road and sinking a child baseline jumper.
Eighteen seconds into the fourth, Inexperienced picked up his fourth foul. His substitute, Submit, drilled back-to-back triples to push the Warriors forward by eight. For the second straight sport, the Warriors surged as Curry sat to start the fourth quarter.
In that span, Butler turned the primary Warrior since Kevin Durant in 2018 to take no less than 13 foul photographs in consecutive video games.
Depend that as one other means the Warriors are all of the sudden completely different.
Butler has scored 45 factors and gotten to the road for 27 foul photographs in two video games as a Warrior — even whereas he’s admittedly out of sport form and doesn’t know the Warriors’ performs but.
“I can’t wait until I’m back in basketball shape the way that I’m used to being,” Butler mentioned. “Don’t miss free throws as much, I don’t have any lift on my jump shot. Right now, I’m just gassed.”
Submit later added a 3rd 3 and Curry gave Brandin Podziemski an enormous hug after the younger guard took a cost and drew a foul on a transferring display whereas pressuring Lillard within the again court docket.
Butler provides the Warriors perception that they will win at the next degree now. The 2 video games with him — albeit in opposition to weak or depleted opponents — have validated that religion.
Initially Printed: February 10, 2025 at 7:38 PM PST
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