During the final minute of the second-quarter in the Golden State Warriors’ inspiring 127-118 victory over the Washington Wizards, superstar Stephen Curry, in an out-of-character animated delivery, reminded Anthony Lamb that his foul on Kristaps Porzingis was ill-advised and unwarranted.
In the 132-118 loss to Chicago Bulls on Sunday, Curry turned the ball over eight times as part of a game-defining 23 as a team, and committed what Steve Kerr called two “mindless” fouls.
The Golden State Warriors’ roster took the wisdom of Stephen Curry’s message to treasure each possession and eliminate mindless turnovers and untimely fouls.
With a 5-17 road record, two issues have led to the Warriors’ struggles this season — empty possessions and gifting points from the foul line, both of which have thwarted comeback efforts and led to ineffective close-outs of quarters and games.
Curry’s proclamation didn’t fall on deaf ears. On the first night of the back-to-back, with their visit to United Center, the defending champions facilitated the Chicago Bulls’ winning effort with 23 turnovers which lead to 25 fast-break points. Both teams shot 50% from the field, the visitors hit 41% of their opportunities from the three-point line and out rebounded the Bulls 40-38, yet still lost by double-digits.
On a day to remember Dr. Martin Luther King, the boys from the bay answered the call, commiting just 12 turnovers and out rebounding the Wizards 43-36, with shooting splits of 50/40/90. Golden State still gifted Washington 20 points from the line on 23 committed fouls, but Curry’s 41 points meant they were able to grind out a rare road win in the closing minutes.
The Warriors celebrated their win with a day off and a trip to President Joe Biden’s White House, though they must remain focused to play at an NBA Finals game six level on Thursday night when they renew their rivalry with the Boston Celtics.
Kerr will remain hopeful that Jonathan Kuminga and James Wiseman are available to contribute to the Dubs’ visit to Beantown, and the following night stop in Cleveland, the birthplace of Curry and fellow superstar LeBron James.