The Warriors obtained off to a torrid begin Sunday, evened their highway journey report at 2-2 and moved again into the No. 6 playoff place within the Western Convention.
After beginning slowly of their first three video games of the journey, the Warriors exploded out of the gate for 44 factors within the first quarter and stored it up all through a 148-106 win over the San Antonio Spurs.
The purpose complete was the best of the season, surpassing the 140 factors in opposition to Portland within the regular-season opener on Oct. 23. The Warriors shot 57.7 p.c from the ground (56-for-97) and have been 21 of 44 from 3-point land. Even Kevon Looney, who didn’t have a 3-pointer all season, obtained into the act within the fourth quarter.
“We’ve been talking about getting off to better starts and we got off to a great start,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr stated. “The offense was pretty crisp, the guys did a good job defensively. That set the tone for the whole night.”
Of the Warriors’ 56 discipline targets, 42 got here on assisted baskets. They dedicated solely 12 turnovers.
At 42-31, the Warriors moved again into the sixth spot — the final place that doesn’t embody a play-in sport — with the Los Angeles Clippers shifting from sixth to eighth at 42-32 after a highway loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Eight video games stay within the common season.
Brandin Podziemski led the Warriors with 27 factors and had a career-high seven 3-point baskets in 9 makes an attempt. Moses Moody had 20 factors and three 3-pointers, Buddy Hield 19, Draymond Inexperienced 14 and Jimmy Butler III and Stephen Curry 13 every.
“There was an emphasis on moving the ball, getting easy early shots, and then playing good defense and kind of putting the two things together,” Podziemski stated. “We had two bad shooting nights in a row in Miami and New Orleans, so it had to come around at some point and tonight was the night.”
The largest cheer got here for Looney along with his 3-pointer.
“Steve finally drew up a play for me, so I had to shoot it,” Looney stated.
Keldon Johnson led San Antonio with 19 factors, with Sandro Mamukeleshvili scoring 14 and Devin Vassell 12.
The Warriors improved to 18-5 for the reason that acquisition of Butler and are 11-0 with the beginning lineup of Butler, Curry, Inexperienced, Moody and Podziemski. All 5 gamers have been in double figures by the point the fourth quarter began.
By the point the Warriors made their first substitution with 5:21 left within the first quarter, they led 28-16.
In his pregame discuss with reporters, Kerr defined why the smallish lineup has been so profitable.
“The group complements each other,” Kerr stated. “You’ve got the playmaking of B.P. and Jimmy, the shooting of Moses and Steph, and obviously Draymond anchoring everything. It’s a small group, but pretty dynamic offensively. It’s kind of a modern NBA lineup, but not without its challenges against certain matchups.”
After three quarters, the Warriors led by 38 factors (111-73) and Podziemski already had a profession excessive with six 3-point baskets.
Stephen Curry reacts after hitting a first-half 3-pointer in a 148-106 highway win over the San Antonio Spurs. Getty Pictures
The Warriors led 68-44 at halftime with considered one of their greatest halves of the season, albeit in opposition to a 31-43 Spurs group that’s with out 7-foot-3 phenom Victor Wembanyama (blood clot), guard De’Aaron Fox (torn tendon) and coach Gregg Popovich (minor stroke), none of whom might be again earlier than the season ends.
Curry led the Warriors with 11 factors on six photographs despite the fact that he didn’t rating 6:20 remained within the first quarter with the Warriors already main by 13 factors. Butler had 10 factors and 4 assists and Inexperienced 9 factors.
About the one unfavorable within the first half was the sight of Jonathan Kuminga taking a tough fall on his tailbone (much like the one Curry had final week) and leaving with 5:33 left within the first half. Kuminga was dominated out at halftime, however not with a tailbone damage, however proper ankle soreness. Kerr stated he hoped the damage wasn’t severe sufficient for Kuminga to overlook time.
The Warriors highest scoring first quarter of the season included 17-for-24 capturing (70.8 p.c) coming only one sport after opening with a 14-2 deficit in opposition to New Orleans. The 44 factors was tied for the most important quarter of the season, equaling that complete on Dec. 8 in opposition to Minnesota.
Curry scored simply two factors — and by the point he took (and made) his first shot with 6:20 left and the Warriors already main 24-11. Butler had 10 factors within the quarter and Inexperienced 9.
Two video games stay on a six-game highway journey and each have appreciable playoff ramifications.
The Warriors go to Memphis (44-30) Tuesday evening, with the Grizzlies taking part in their second sport after abruptly firing six-year coach Taylor Jenkins and changing him with interim coach Tuomas Iisalo. Memphis is at present within the No. 5 place within the Western Convention.
Then on Thursday evening, the highway journey concludes in Los Angeles in opposition to the Lakers, the fourth seed at 45-29.
The journey began with back-to-back losses to Miami and Atlanta earlier than a win over New Orleans when Curry was out with a pelvic contusion.
After the Warriors face the Lakers, they return to Chase Heart on Thursday to host Denver on Friday after which Houston on Sunday.
CHECKING IN ON POP
Kerr stated he obtained to see Popovich, who he performed for in San Antonio, and was inspired about his progress from a minor stroke.
“I saw him today and he looks great, doing great,” Kerr stated. “He’s one of the most important people in my life and I’m hoping everything continues to progress.”
Initially Printed: March 30, 2025 at 6:17 PM PDT
