The Golden State Warriors bounced again. After beginning the season with three double-digit losses to the Phoenix Suns, and after an unsightly three-game dropping streak on the highway, the Dubs knocked off the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday evening, and adopted it up with an emphatic 123-112 win over Phoenix on Monday.
Even with key gamers sidelined, the Warriors proceed to appear like championship contenders once they’re at residence. They have proven no capability to journey with that, however that’s an issue for one more day. And by “another day” I imply “Wednesday.”
For now, let’s grade the dudes who acquired the job carried out. As at all times, grades are primarily based on my expectations for every participant, with a “B” grade representing the typical efficiency for every Warrior.
Note: True-shooting proportion (TS) is a scoring effectivity metric that accounts for threes and free throws. League-average TS is 58.1%.
Draymond Green
half-hour, 4 factors, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 3 blocks, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, 2-for-3 taking pictures, 66.7% TS, -5
Honestly, the principle factor I used to be fascinated by with Dray throughout this recreation was how a lot enjoyable it will be if the Warriors and Suns met within the playoffs so we might see Dray defend Kevin Durant. That could be every kind of enjoyable.
Until then, the Warriors have been capable of win regardless of Green not having his finest recreation. It wasn’t the offensive efficiency we’ve seen from him recently, although the protection was, as you’ll count on, fairly darn good.
Grade: B-
Post-game bonus: Worst plus/minus on the staff.
Kevon Looney
27 minutes, 9 factors, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 fouls, 4-for-6 taking pictures, 1-for-4 free throws, 58.0% TS, +10
The indisputable fact that Looney can simply casually throw up 5 assists with no turnover, regardless of the offense by no means working by means of him, is exceptional. Sure, having the best-shooting backcourt in NBA historical past to go out to helps, however nonetheless … it’s fairly unbelievable.
Just a brilliant robust recreation from Looney. Deandre Ayton acquired the higher of him with some regularity, however Looney was strong, as we’ve grown accustomed to.
Grade: B+
Post-game bonus: Led the staff in rebounds.
Steph Curry
33 minutes, 23 factors, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 turnovers, 4 fouls, 7-for-13 taking pictures, 4-for-6 threes, 5-for-6 free throws, 73.5% TS, +14
You can by no means say sufficient about Curry’s unselfishness. It’s really exceptional {that a} participant who might be one of many three best offensive gamers in NBA historical past can so fortunately defer to his teammates once they’ve acquired scorching fingers.
But the truth that Curry does that not solely permits the Warriors to capitalize on these scorching fingers, but it surely helps these gamers get the recent fingers within the first place.
He’s a particular participant to attain that effectively … after which willingly inform Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole to steal the present.
The turnovers have been a problem since returning to the lineup, however apart from that, he’s clicking on most of his cylinders proper now.
Sometimes I actually love this staff.
Grade: B+
Klay Thompson
34 minutes, 38 factors, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, 14-for-23 taking pictures, 8-for-14 threes, 2-for-5 free throws, 75.4% TS, +4
The largest growth for the Warriors on this recreation was the first-quarter efficiency. During their current five-game profitable streak, the Warriors routinely fell behind large within the first quarter, solely to claw their manner again in as the sport went on. During their current three-game dropping streak, they fell behind large within the first quarter and didn’t have the firepower to beat it.
In this recreation they jumped out to an enormous first-quarter lead, ending the body with a commanding 43-21 lead. And Klay’s 18-point quarter was the catalyst behind it.
We’d seen his robust offensive performances fall off slightly since Curry returned, but it surely bounced again in an enormous manner on Monday.
Grade: A
Post-game bonus: Led the staff in factors.
Donte DiVincenzo
half-hour, 10 factors, 3 assists, 2 turnovers, 3 fouls, 4-for-9 taking pictures 2-for-6 threes, 55.6% TS, +5
It’s slightly surprising to see DiVincenzo, such a very good rebounder all yr, have a donut in that column. Then once more, you’ll excuse him if he was slightly preoccupied defending Devin Booker.
DDV hasn’t been an ideal defender, however with Andrew Wiggins and Gary Payton II sidelined, and Klay wanting extra comfy guarding slashing wings than ball-dominant guards, DiVincenzo has stepped as much as be the purpose of assault defender evening in and evening out and carried out a very admirable job.
Grade: B
Andre Iguodala
16 minutes, 6 factors, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 3 fouls, 2-for-3 taking pictures, 0-for-1 threes, 2-for-3 free throws, 69.4% TS, +19
If anybody was questioning why the Warriors have been hanging on and ready for Iguodala all yr … this. This is why they’ve been hanging on and ready for Iguodala all yr.
You can nonetheless assume it was a nasty transfer. You might be skeptical about whether or not it’ll work out for the ultimate month of the season and the postseason.
But when you watched this recreation, then it’s fairly clear why they nonetheless wished him round.
Grade: A
Post-game bonus: Led the staff in plus/minus.
JaMychal Green
21 minutes, 9 factors, 7 rebounds, 1 help, 2 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, 3-for-5 taking pictures, 1-for-3 threes, 2-for-2 free throws, 76.5% TS, +1
Green’s efficiency the previous few video games has been a reminder that depth isn’t nearly who performs on a nightly foundation. It’s additionally about who fills in when wanted.
His function has been very sporadic recently, however Green has needed to step into larger minutes since Jonathan Kuminga has been out. He’s responded very properly.
He additionally acquired into it with Damion Lee which, contemplating every thing, was hilarious.
Grade: A-
Patrick Baldwin Jr.
2 minutes, 0 factors, 1 rebound, -4
Just slightly little bit of rubbish time for PBJ.
Grade: Incomplete
Post-game bonus: Worst plus/minus on the staff.
Jordan Poole
half-hour, 20 factors, 1 rebound, 6 assists, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls, 8-for-16 taking pictures, 4-for-8 threes, 0-for-1 free throws, 60.8% TS, +14
What an superior bounce-back recreation from Poole, who appeared like his 2021-22 model on this recreation. He was aggressive attacking the ring, and there have been stretches have been Phoenix merely didn’t have a solution for him … he even ran Lee off the courtroom by frequently blowing by him.
That opened up his recreation from distance the place — shock shock! — the higher photographs led to higher outcomes.
Great recreation.
Grade: A-
Post-game bonus: Led the staff in assists.
Moses Moody
quarter-hour, 4 factors, 2 rebounds, 1 help, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1-for-5 taking pictures, 0-for-1 threes, 2-for-3 three throws, 31.7% TS, +5
Good to see Moody again within the rotation on this recreation. His effectivity was poor, however I favored the best way he connected the rim as an alternative of settling for threes, and although he did good issues within the different areas of the sport.
Grade: B
Monday’s inactives: Ty Jerome, Jonathan Kuminga, Anthony Lamb, Gary Payton II, Ryan Rollins, Andrew Wiggins
