As Joe Vardon wrote for The Athletic, this game felt like a milestone marker because of what Curry’s first game since October of 2019 means. All those little Eric Paschall plays, the Wiggins cuts, Damian Lee’s newly discovered play making and assertive offense - they all mean something a little different now that our top end talent is back. It’s not longer looking at young, developing NBA players, now we see them as part of a meaningful basketball rotation with a path to a championship.
None of this felt possible without Curry, because it wasn’t. The frame shifts fundamentally.
The next phase of the rebuild began with Curry’s return.
“It feels like we’ve kind of emerged from the woods a little bit,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.
This is the sort of competitive and punchy team that many of us predicted the Golden State Warriors were going to be when the season opened. Sure, they lost. And yes, the team shot a depressingly familiar 14 of 51 on three-pointers. But it was a lot of fun, and the Warriors were in this game until the final minute or so.
Though he was clearly rusty (6-16 from the field, 3-12 from behind the arc) Curry did a little bit of everything to finish with 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists. His return was both an emotional and a statistical lift. Not only was this Warriors team more competitive and focused, everything just feels different with Curry back in the fold.
Warriors had some good contributions from Marquese Chriss, who continues to cement a starting role with the team for next season. He had 17 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists but the bigger takeaway was how much of a problem he can be for defenses. The Warriors discovered this with JaVale McGee, but an athletic Center that knows how to play above the rim is going to get a lot of very good looks with the attention that Curry draws.
One of the key factors coming in to this game was how well Andrew Wiggins would look next to Curry - a player who almost always gives a big boost to whoever finds themselves on the court with him. Wiggins was solid defensively, and looks to be exactly the sort of fall back option that could thrive alongside the gravity of Curry.
Norman Powell set a new career high with 37 points, Kyle Lowry played his usual white-knuckled style on his way to 26 points, 10 assists, and 5 rebounds, and young power player Pascal Siakam took over late.
As usual, this is just a little placeholder article and a place for us to chat. Let’s Go Warriors will be back tomorrow with a full recap and all sorts of histrionics about the return of Threesus.
This makes me excited for next year. Damn it was good to see him back.
A lot of guys are going to be fighting for spots and are looking real good, so glad we retained Criss but sorry, the Dragon has been slayed. Great size but just does not have what it takes to be a pro athlete.
Also really glad we did not retain McCaw. This will be his last contract.
Wiggins despite the poor shooting night is also looking like a keeper as long as his contract does not interfere with keeping a Paschall I'm good.
I feel paschall will do well with Steph. He already is taking advantage of the spacing.. there was a particular play where Steph moved and all the defenders followed him leaving paschall with free space. He just drove to the basket and dunked it..
My favorite player in the history of the NBA is back playing for my favorite team in pro sports. Today was a good day. Forget the L. This was a win all around.
A message for Damion. I understand you’re furious with yourself, but being there for the team and take responsibility is much more of a plus than making the big shot. And you played great overall. We’ll win next time
Man did I miss watching Steph. Fun game all around. The young guys need to learn how to play with Steph and when to pass him the ball, especially on his relocation 3s
Pretty exciting game. Curry's shot was on and off, but his passing was a thing of beauty, and you could also see what Paschall and Wiggins could do in the paint when defenses are terrified to leave Curry on the perimeter. Chriss had an OK game, lots of missed putbacks but great defense. Curry took some risks on defense and got burned. Damion Lee played really well except for the last 30 seconds. Pat McCaw looked pretty whatever (oh wait he was on the other team tonight). Bender had kind of a lackluster game but he did OK against Ibaka. Mulder didn't go off but he was reliable enough.
Just a tiny push more in any number of places and we could've taken this game, it was that close.
Credit to the Raptors for playing really well. Norman Powell, who the hell was that guy?? He did *not* play like that against us before. Siakam was really hard to stop and Lowry was on fire. They're also pretty banged up this season so their record is all the more impressive.
Still, I think if Curry, Klay, and Draymond play at least 50 games each next season, with some semblance of this same roster, it looks like we'll have a mighty fine team after all. Even overpaid as he probably is, if Wiggins looks like this next season we'll be happy to have him.
Curry’s presence alone makes it so much easier for everyone else. Tonight was just a classic case of young guys being young guys in crunch time. It’s damn good to see Steph flashing us old warriors ball again.
Anybody have any idea what the plan is with Jonathan Simmons? Like will he at all play on the team this year, and if he works out, will he be back on the team next year?
Welp. GSW did win the rebounding battle by a mile and won the bench battle as well. With Klay back to hound the opposing PG, Lowry won't be able to drop 26 ever unless Klay was in foul trouble. Now about another role player getting a career high on the Warriors home floor, that shit's got to stop.
Raptors are my pick to once again come out of the east. Itd be super easy for me to root for them if it wasn't for Lowrys hardenesque style of constantly trying to fish for fouls. Other than that they check all the boxes: Good coaching, likeable players, ability to draft like no one else, likeable superstar in Siakkam, solid fanbase.
The Warriors look much better with Curry back, but still fall short in loss to Raptors 121-113
This makes me excited for next year. Damn it was good to see him back.
A lot of guys are going to be fighting for spots and are looking real good, so glad we retained Criss but sorry, the Dragon has been slayed. Great size but just does not have what it takes to be a pro athlete.
Also really glad we did not retain McCaw. This will be his last contract.
Wiggins despite the poor shooting night is also looking like a keeper as long as his contract does not interfere with keeping a Paschall I'm good.
GO WARRIORS!!!
I feel paschall will do well with Steph. He already is taking advantage of the spacing.. there was a particular play where Steph moved and all the defenders followed him leaving paschall with free space. He just drove to the basket and dunked it..
My favorite player in the history of the NBA is back playing for my favorite team in pro sports. Today was a good day. Forget the L. This was a win all around.
A message for Damion. I understand you’re furious with yourself, but being there for the team and take responsibility is much more of a plus than making the big shot. And you played great overall. We’ll win next time
Man did I miss watching Steph. Fun game all around. The young guys need to learn how to play with Steph and when to pass him the ball, especially on his relocation 3s
Pretty exciting game. Curry's shot was on and off, but his passing was a thing of beauty, and you could also see what Paschall and Wiggins could do in the paint when defenses are terrified to leave Curry on the perimeter. Chriss had an OK game, lots of missed putbacks but great defense. Curry took some risks on defense and got burned. Damion Lee played really well except for the last 30 seconds. Pat McCaw looked pretty whatever (oh wait he was on the other team tonight). Bender had kind of a lackluster game but he did OK against Ibaka. Mulder didn't go off but he was reliable enough.
Just a tiny push more in any number of places and we could've taken this game, it was that close.
Credit to the Raptors for playing really well. Norman Powell, who the hell was that guy?? He did *not* play like that against us before. Siakam was really hard to stop and Lowry was on fire. They're also pretty banged up this season so their record is all the more impressive.
Still, I think if Curry, Klay, and Draymond play at least 50 games each next season, with some semblance of this same roster, it looks like we'll have a mighty fine team after all. Even overpaid as he probably is, if Wiggins looks like this next season we'll be happy to have him.
GDI, I guess this game was on national TV...? DVR didn't record it. Anyway, WOOT! My guy STEPH IS BACK, baby, THE MAN IS BACK!!
Curry’s presence alone makes it so much easier for everyone else. Tonight was just a classic case of young guys being young guys in crunch time. It’s damn good to see Steph flashing us old warriors ball again.
good shake off the rust game
Anybody have any idea what the plan is with Jonathan Simmons? Like will he at all play on the team this year, and if he works out, will he be back on the team next year?
The Steph post game is really really good. I'll update the post with the soundcloud when it comes out. Definitely worth a listen
That was a fun game with the wrong ending. Blame to go around but lots of reasons for hope. Should be an entertaining and annoying rest of the season.
Welp. GSW did win the rebounding battle by a mile and won the bench battle as well. With Klay back to hound the opposing PG, Lowry won't be able to drop 26 ever unless Klay was in foul trouble. Now about another role player getting a career high on the Warriors home floor, that shit's got to stop.
Raptors are my pick to once again come out of the east. Itd be super easy for me to root for them if it wasn't for Lowrys hardenesque style of constantly trying to fish for fouls. Other than that they check all the boxes: Good coaching, likeable players, ability to draft like no one else, likeable superstar in Siakkam, solid fanbase.
Top players:
Raptors:
Powell: (+7)
37 points 13/20 FGs 4/8 three pointers 7/7 FTs
3 rebounds 2 assists 3 turnovers 3 steals
Lowry: (+1)
26 points 6/14 FGs 4/12 three pointers 10/10 FTs
5 rebounds 10 assists 3 turnovers 2 steals
Ibaka: (-2, 3rd place)
13 points 6/11 FGs 1/3 three pointers
13 rebounds (1 off.) 3 assists 1 block
Anunoby: (+11, 3rd place)
14 points 5/7 FGs 3/4 three pointers 1/2 FTs
4 rebounds (2 off.) 3 steals
Honorable mention:
Davis: (+10)
10 points 3/7 FGs 1/3 three pointers 3/3 FTs
2 rebounds 4 assists 2 turnovers
Warriors:
Paschall: (+7)
16 points 6/10 FGs 1/4 three pointers 3/4 FTs
4 rebounds 8 assists 3 turnovers
Lee: (-1)
23 points 8/17 FGs 5/12 three pointers 2/4 FTs
5 rebounds 3 assists 2 turnovers 1 steal
Curry: (-13, 3rd place)
23 points 6/16 FGs 3/12 three pointers 8/8 FTs
7 rebounds 7 assists 1 turnover
Wiggins: (-11, 3rd place)
21 points 9/20 FGs 3/9 three pointers 0/1 FT
9 rebounds (5 off.) 2 assists 2 turnovers 1 block
Honorable mention:
Chriss: (+5)
17 points 6/14 FGs 0/1 three pointer 5/6 FTs
12 rebounds (5 off.) 4 assists 1 turnover 1 steal 2 blocks
Final stats:
Raptors:
48.2% shooting (40/83 FGs)
13/41 three pointers
28/31 FTs
39 rebounds (3 off.)
28 assists
13 turnovers
10 steals
3 blocks
Warriors:
40.8% shooting (40/98 FGs)
14/52 three pointers
19/25 FTs
52 rebounds (14 off.)
34 assists
16 turnovers
4 steals
4 blocks
Points in paint:
Raptors: 44
Warriors: 40
Fastbreak points:
Raptors: 36
Warriors: 14
Points off turnovers:
Raptors: 20
Warriors: 12
Bench points:
Raptors: 14
Warriors: 27
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