Golden State Warriors prove synonymous third-quarter explosion is alive in big win over Clippers

The Golden State Warriors have become synonymous with third-quarter explosions throughout their dynasty period, but that factor has seemingly alluded them for much of the 2022-23 season.

However, the reigning champions proved it remains well and truly alive with an insane third-quarter to crush the Los Angeles Clippers in awe-inspiring fashion at Chase Center on Thursday night.

The Golden State Warriors used a remarkable 42-16 third-quarter to blow away the Los Angeles Clippers with a 115-91 win.

Golden State couldn’t buy a three-point basket early in the ball game, going 3-for-22 (13.6%) from deep across the first 24 minutes. After 75 points in the second-half of their comeback win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, the Warriors stumbled to just 45 points in a tough-to-watch first-half against the versatile Clipper defense.

Things appeared to get worse when Kevon Looney was called for his fourth foul early in the third-quarter, but that proved a blessing in disguise as the game took a complete 180. Behind a fired up Jordan Poole who went for 22 in the quarter, and an intensified defense that forced multiple Clipper turnovers, the Warriors turned an 11-point deficit into a 15-point lead in the space of 12 minutes.

Golden State had outscored the Trail Blazers 39-17 in a crazy third-quarter on Tuesday, yet this felt and looked even more spectacular as Los Angeles were left shell-shocked without a response. The visitors never threatened a comeback, with the Warriors extending their lead past 20 to force Ty Lue into benching his starters with more than seven minutes left in the game.

Poole had 25 points in a dominant second-half, totalling 34 for the game which included five threes. Draymond Green’s disrespectful defense on Russell Westbrook was comical, but it proved effective as the former MVP went 3-for-12 from the floor while Green was one rebound and one assist short of a triple-double.

Klay Thompson’s rebounding became a factor too in the first three-quarters, tallying a career-high with 11 to go with his 19 points. Jonathan Kuminga was excellent off the bench, earning extra minutes with Looney’s foul trouble and responding with 19 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two blocks.

The win is Golden State’s fourth-straight, pushes them three games over .500 for the first time this season, and solidifies their place in the fifth-seed at 33-30. They’ll look to continue their momentum in the second night of a back-to-back against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.