The Golden State Warriors lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks, both upsetting losses in the past week. They were losing at halftime in a game that could’ve had disastrous consequences.
Thankfully, it didn’t as the Warriors used an insane third quarter to blow out the Houston Rockets, a team the Dubs needed to handle with ease. The Rockets have star center Christian Wood, but with John Wall sidelined, the playmaking and star power just wasn’t there.
After being down at half, the Golden State Warriors used a 24-0 run in the third quarter to blow out the Houston Rockets, avoiding a horrific loss.
Watching a 24-0 run is a little weird. You don’t necessarily notice the Dubs are streaking and Curry is red hot for a bit as he struggled to most of the night. Then, he shakes away from his defender, drills a three, screams, and it feels as though the Warriors were then up by 20.
After a tough first half, Curry got it going in that third quarter, scoring 23. Curry didn’t score after ending that third quarter with 30 of his own.
First half: Steph had 7 Pts, Warriors trailed by six
— ESPN (@espn) May 2, 2021
THIRD QUARTER: Steph went off for 23 Pts, Warriors up by 21 😱 pic.twitter.com/fZ6EqtGj55
The Warriors had a bad first half. But, they bounced back, scoring 39 in one quarter.
It wasn’t all about Steph either. He dropped 37 against the Timberwolves yet the Warriors still lost. What helped propel the Warriors was they rebounded and defended, holding the Rockets to just 12 points.
While it’s a different dynamic with a team that doesn’t have Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns, Golden State played a much more aggressive style of defense after Curry got going. He’s the leader, and he brought the energy in the third.
Golden State is fighting not necessarily for their play-in tournament lives, but to validate just how good this team can be. With Kelly Oubre Jr.’s return date unknown and with James Wiseman already out for the season, it doesn’t basically boil down to how Curry plays.
He set the tempo against the Rockets after halftime.
This team is only going to go as far as Curry takes them, and with three games against a surging Pelicans team remaining, the Warriors may have to put together one final push to lock in a spot in that play-in tournament.