A Thanksgiving hangover might have slowed the San Francisco Warriors and the San Antonio Spurs down, but it didn’t stop them from putting up a good fight on Friday night. The Warriors managed to outplay the Spurs and emerged victorious with a score of 118-112 in the NBA In-Season Tournament West Group C game at Chase Center.
As the Warriors advance to 2-1, their upcoming group play finale against the Kings in Sacramento has high stakes, determining the winner of Group C and who will advance to the quarterfinals.
With the Warriors, Kings, and Minnesota Timberwolves all at 2-1 in group play, the outcome of the game against the Thunder on Tuesday will decide the winner of Group C.
Steph Curry took the lead with 35 points, making him the game’s highest scorer of the night. His impressive performance included an 11-point third, a 12-point fourth, and a 23-point second half. Curry, who scored 11 of 20, delivered another exceptional performance from the 3-point line, marking his 200th career game making at least six 3-pointers in a game. No other player has come close to Curry’s record, with the next highest at 97 games.
Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs’ rookie star, showed a near double-double with 22 points and eight rebounds. However, he also had six turnovers, the most among all players.
Starting Lineup Change
The Warriors made a notable change in their starting lineup, with Steve Kerr replacing Chris Paul with Moses Moody to join Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, and Kevon Looney. The new lineup’s performance wasn’t as successful as hoped, with a minus-10 score and 47.4% shooting percentage against the Spurs. Although Moody scored nine points, it wasn’t enough to give the Warriors an edge, and Curry spent more minutes off the court than anticipated.
GP2’s Return
Despite trailing against the Spurs, Gary Payton II’s entry into the game brought an instant change, leading the Warriors to an 18-9 advantage and a halftime lead of 59-55. Payton’s game-changing energy is an irreplaceable asset for the team, and his consistent presence ultimately contributed to the Warriors’ win. His remarkable athleticism accounts for more than his missed 3-pointer right after entering the game.
Super Dario Does It Again
Dario Saric continued to prove why he’s being recognized as the Warriors’ second-best offensive player this season, scoring 20 points and standing out as the second-highest scorer after Curry. His consistent performance in the last three games reflects Dunleavy’s foresight in signing him during the free agency period, solidifying his significance to the Warriors.
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