DETROIT — After two straight disastrous showings towards the Kings and Warmth, the Warriors’ effort was in query for the primary time all yr. Head coach Steve Kerr known as it a “crisis of confidence.” He wanted to see extra “competitive spirit.”
Even quick 5 rotation gamers, the Warriors performed with the kind of urgency they’d been lacking. Gui Santos, a shock hero, received a shouting ovation within the customer’s locker room postgame.
“This game is about so much more than whether you make a shot or miss a shot,” Kerr mentioned postgame. “It’s defense, it’s rebounding, it’s hustle, sprinting. Everything you saw Gui do tonight.”
Golden State compelled 13 first-half turnovers to construct a lead and, regardless of lacking virtually all of their rotational wings, contained Pistons star Cade Cunningham till the fourth quarter.
Cunningham scored 18 of his 32 factors within the fourth and Steph Curry (5-for-21) had an off taking pictures evening, however the Warriors (19-18) received sufficient unlikely contributions to carry on for a 107-104 win. They’re now 9-0 in video games Buddy Hield scores at the very least 18 factors. Santos (career-high 12 factors, 5 rebounds, three assists) provided the kind of effort Golden State wanted.
Detroit had received eight of 9 coming into the Warriors matchup. However Golden State, determined and reeling, halted their momentum.
“Wonderful to see our guys, especially on a night when Steph didn’t shoot it well, for them to generate that kind of offensive flow and game momentum, just connecting the game back and forth,” Kerr mentioned.
The Warriors chased down lengthy rebounds on each ends and flew down the court docket off steals. Gamers on the bench stood up and clapped after turnovers and stops. The aggressive spirit the Warriors had apparently misplaced this week appeared charged-up.
Given how depleted the roster was, and the way poorly they’ve performed lately, the Warriors wanted the power.
Jonathan Kuminga, out at the very least two extra weeks with a sprained ankle, made the journey and sat on the bench in a strolling boot. Andrew Wiggins went by morning shootaround in Detroit earlier than flying dwelling for private causes. Moses Moody’s lingering knee points dominated him out. Brandin Podziemski and Gary Payton II are nonetheless not fairly able to return from their illnesses.
Half the rotation in road garments left the Warriors with 10 wholesome our bodies, two of which had been Santos and Pat Spencer.
Santos particularly made probably the most of his probability. Usually on the finish of Golden State’s bench, Santos performed 13 straight minutes within the first half, which the Warriors received by 18 factors. Santos chased down a protracted offensive rebound then battled for an additional one, creating further possessions. He buried his first three 3-pointers for a season-high 9 factors, drew a cost and dropped a pair of dimes, too.
Santos received 26 seconds of relaxation earlier than Draymond Inexperienced picked up his third foul. Kerr tapped Santos over Kyle Anderson, who performed 9 minutes even with the shortage of choices.
Detroit closed the half on a 12-4 run after Curry checked again in, chopping the Warriors’ benefit to 10.
The Warriors opened their lead as much as 17, however Detroit answered with 11 straight factors. Kerr known as timeout with 5:30 left within the third quarter after back-to-back 3s from Cunningham and Tobias Harris.
Extra energetic minutes from Santos within the third helped the Warriors keep their edge, however Curry missed all 4 of his photographs — every from behind the arc – within the body, permitting Detroit to hold round. He began 1-for-11 from 3 and went 2-for-14 general.
Within the fourth quarter, Santos sank his fourth trey and guarded Cunningham defensively. Inexperienced, enjoying 100 miles south of his hometown of Saginaw, fed Trayce Jackson-Davis for a dunk, drew a cost and leaked out for a dunk. He additionally instigated a mini dust-up, igniting a fireplace below the Warriors and main a 10-0 run.
And after lacking six straight photographs, Curry transformed a four-point play to place the Warriors again up 16.
Cunningham threatened to take over, however Dennis Schroder made a pair key buckets to fend the Pistons off simply sufficient. With 4.1 seconds left and trailing by three, Cunningham completely missed a foul shot proper to himself, incomes the prospect to ship the sport into time beyond regulation. However Malik Beasley’s 3-pointer fell simply quick as time expired.
Initially Printed: January 9, 2025 at 6:38 PM PST
