Golden State Warriors’ underdogs showed out on Christmas

It was always going to take an all-around team effort for the Golden State Warriors to get a win on Christmas Day. Fortunately, each member of the Dubs stepped up to get the job done.

Certain members of the Golden State Warriors have embraced an underdog mentality and stepped up on Christmas Day.

With six rotational players sidelined in a clash for the top seed in the Western Conference, Golden State needed an extra kick from names like Otto Porter, Nemanja Bjelica, Gary Payton and Jonathan Kuminga.

Thankfully, those four packed quite the punch.

The game started with an explosive put-back dunk from GP2, a sight we have grown fond of seeing this season. What followed was multiple 3-pointers from Payton and numerous defensive plays that energized his squad.

Payton finished with 14 points. He’s averaging 15.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals on close to 60 percent shooting since Jordan Poole entered health and safety protocols.

Kuminga drilled his only 3-point attempt to go along with 12 points, marking just the second time he has scored in double-digits. Bjelica chipped in with 10 points and 2 assists.

Most of all, Porter put the team on his back and caught fire in the fourth quarter to extinguish the Suns. Porter buried 5-of-8 field goal attempts (3-of-5 3-pointers) in the final 12 minutes for 13 points and a triumphant victory.

The Warriors now stand alone at the top of the Western Conference with Phoenix only half a game behind them. The upcoming schedule will challenge the Dubs, along with plenty of other obstacles blocking their path to the league’s best record.

Nevertheless, this underdog performance showed the type of tenacity the Warriors have all over their roster. The next man up is always ready for his name to be called and this is going to help push them over the top when the going gets tough over the next few months.