2023-04-21 08:35:35
With a 114-97 win over the Kings in Game 3 tonight, the Warriors not only restarted the streak, but also delivered one of their most compelling performances of the season. A performance during which the role players have step-up in the absence of Draymond Green and Gary Payton II.
Strength In Numbers.
At the very beginning of the Golden State dynasty eight years ago, this slogan symbolized the collective solidity and the depth of the workforce of Warriors. It was the time when the Stephen Curry – Klay Thompson – Draymond Green trio was surrounded by players like Andre Iguodala, Harrison Barnes, Andrew Bogut, Shaun Livingston and a few others. We are now in 2023, and this slogan is still valid.
The players have obviously changed since 2015, but the impression is the same. You know, this impression of being faced with a team guided by Stephen Curry but which above all gives off a collective power through the very good work done by its role players. That’s what we saw last night in Game 3 between Golden State and Sacramento.
Warriors win Game 3
*Steph Curry: 36 points, six 3s
*Kevon Looney: 20 rebounds, 9 assists, held down Sabonis
*Warriors: 19 offensive rebounds, only 12 turnovers
*Andrew Wiggins: Quiet 20
*Moody/Kuminga: 19 combined
*Kings up 2-1 in series. Huge Game 4 on Sunday followingnoon in SF.— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 21, 2023
At the top of the list, Kevon Looney obviously, author of a huge construction site in the racket with his 20 rebounds including 9 offensive, but also his 9 assists and a big defense on Sabonis. Andrew Wiggins, absent for several weeks at the end of the regular season, confirmed to him that he was in good shape by impacting both sides of the field well (20 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 once morest, 3 award-winning shots). As for Donte DiVincenzo, he might have had the best game in history for a guy finishing at 2/8 shooting. On all fronts, the back (7 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 steals) was remarkable in intensity and in his role as a connector.
These guys did their part perfectly to boost the Warriors in the most important game of the season. But we might expect that from them, since we are still talking regarding super important players in Steve Kerr’s rotation. On the other hand, we weren’t really expecting to see a Moses Moody contribute offensively as he was able to (13 points in 16 minutes at 4/7 shooting). Jonathan Kuminga also brought good minutes, while JaMychal Green et Anthony Lamb did their best to weigh in defensively.
“Without Draymond and GPII, we only needed step-up guys. It was a collective effort. Everyone brought good energy. Our defensive stats are exceptional tonight.
Donte was amazing off the bench. Moses Moody brought good minutes. Same for Kuminga, JaMychal, A-Lamb. Each player who was on the field understood the instructions and did their best.
We have to continue like this when our guys come back.”
– Stephen Curry, following the game
The question is precisely this: can the Warriors continue like this?
The supporting cast behind the Curry – Thompson – Wiggins – Green – Looney five has had its ups and downs this season, and we saw in the first two games in Sacramento that the Stephen Curry addiction was real. The performance of this night can therefore not be a one shot if the Warriors want to go back-to-back.
While waiting to see if this will be confirmed, the Warriors can approach Game 4 on Sunday with more serenity. The returns of Green and GPII will be good, the momentum has swung towards Golden State, and the collective/defensive solidity demonstrated this night must have reassured Steve Kerr. Especially since the Dubs won despite a complicated evening for Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole (29 points combined at 9/28 shooting, 4/17 from afar).
Come on, let’s meet on Sunday evening (at the Grand Rex in Paris for the lucky ones) to see if the Warriors can repeat the same performance, and at the same time equalize in the series.
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