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Golden State Warriors: 5 best wins that propelled defending champs to a top six seed

By Peter O'Keefe

CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 20: Kevon Looney #5 of the Golden State Warriors runs a play during the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on January 20, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 120-114. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 20: Kevon Looney #5 of the Golden State Warriors runs a play during the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on January 20, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 120-114. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Kevon Looney and his Golden State Warriors teammates celebrate a double overtime win against the Atlanta Hawks on January 2. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Kevon Looney and his Golden State Warriors teammates celebrate a double overtime win against the Atlanta Hawks on January 2. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

4. v Atlanta Hawks, January 2

The calendar year kicked off with one of the most memorable games of the season, with a Kevon Looney putback layup finally ending a marathon double-overtime game against the Atlanta Hawks.

The visitors were hardly a formidable opponent having finished eighth in the Eastern Conference, however the Warriors were again playing without Curry and Wiggins. Atlanta led by four with 40 seconds to play in regulation, but Donte DiVincenzo forced overtime with a clutch three-pointer with less than a second left.

Golden State led by five themselves with 43.8 seconds remaining in the second overtime, before Trae Young would go on to tie the game with 8.2 seconds left. Klay Thompson had a season-high 54 points on the night, but his last three-point attempt was off the mark. Fortunately, Looney was there to clean it up for the first buzzer-beating game-winner of his career. A win at home against the Hawks is hardly noteworthy, but the circumstances around the 143-141 result certainly is.

3. v Milwaukee Bucks, March 11

The Warriors were favorites when they hosted a Bucks team without Giannis Antetokounmpo last month. They certainly weren’t favored though when Milwaukee led by eight with two minutes remaining, before Curry produced one of the most defining stretches of his season.

After being well held to just 16 points by Bucks guard Jrue Holiday, the two-time MVP hit three triples and a finger roll layup in the final 110 seconds, then blocked Holiday’s layup attempt in the final seconds to send the game to overtime.

Curry would continue his explosion as Golden State eventually got hold of the game to win it 125-116. The 35-year-old had 20 points in the final seven minutes, ending with 36 in a result that looked like going the other way.

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