Golden State Warriors have provided the Curry-less template in which to build on

The Golden State Warriors snapped a three-game skid with a massive road victory over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday night. In the absence of both Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins, the scoring load fell on the shoulders of Jordan Poole.

It was a huge test for the struggling 23-year old, but he passed with flying colors, posting a career-high 43 points on 14-for-23 shooting. Draymond Green also returned from a one-game absence, notching 17 points, nine rebounds and five assists.

Sunday’s win in Toronto served as an encouraging sign for a middling Golden State Warriors group without their two best players.

Perhaps overshadowed by the individual brilliance of Poole — their was an impressive cohesion within a Warriors group that was missing two of their most impactful players. From the opening tip, it was apparent that everyone was on the same page on both sides of the ball.

The coaching staff implemented a few different defensive schemes throughout the game, but the intensity never wavered. The activity level was high, rotations were sharp, and the Warriors were quick to capitalize on Toronto’s miscues.

In Curry’s absence, however long it may extend, the Warriors will need to maintain this level of defensive togetherness on a night-to-night basis. Without one of the greatest offensive weapons of all-time, it’s unfair to expect the Warriors offense to resemble its usual potency. However, if they can ratchet up the vigor on the other end of the floor, their offense will become all the more easier.

It will also be key for Poole to continue to establish his rhythm moving forward. Poole, much like many of his teammates, has struggled to find any sort of consistency so far this season. His shooting percentages have dipped across the board and there have been far too many lapses in judgement, yet as a starter, the Michigan product is averaging 28.7 points and five assists per contest.

Poole simply plays better when he is at the center of the offense — his confidence heightens when the ball is in his hands and it shows. Over this upcoming Curry-less stretch, the Warriors will rely on Poole to be the primary offensive threat that he’s proven he can be. His partnership with Green will be the focal point of the Warriors’ offense and their decision-making out of the pick-and-roll will be imperative to the team’s success.

The Warriors’ offseason acquisitions, Donte DiVincenzo and JaMychal Green, also showcased their potential in Sunday’s victory. DiVincenzo has come on strong as of late, rediscovering his defensive edge and three-point shooting.

The play of JaMychal Green had been a cause for concern early on. His defense had been suspect to say the least and he’s largely struggled to find his stroke from beyond the arc. It was the antithesis on Sunday night as Green had his best performance of the season, posting 15 points and seven rebounds across 17 minutes of play. His veteran presence will pay dividends as the coaching staff look to further stabilize the second unit.

The defending champions have had an underwhelming season thus far, and while Curry’s injury only adds insult to injury, now is no time for panic. The Dubs are currently 11th in the Western Conference with a record of 15-16, yet they are only 2.5 games back of the fifth seed. In a season that has been largely defined by its unprecedented levels of parody, all it takes is one hot stretch to climb up the standings.

It’s unrealistic to expect a winning streak with the two-time MVP on the mend, but if the Warriors can break even in Curry’s absence, they should be just fine. The season is still young and if there’s any team in the league that has earned the trust of its fanbase, it’s the Golden State Warriors.