NBA Summer League: Golden State Warriors’ on-court issues extend to Vegas opener
A turnover-ridden Golden State Warriors have fallen to the Los Angeles Lakers in their Las Vegas Summer League opener on Friday night. After a bright 13-2 opening to the game, the Warriors quickly let the Lakers back into the contest and ultimately trailed after every period in the 103-96 defeat.
Golden State led the NBA in turnovers during last regular season, an issue that seemingly extended to Friday night despite the differential in coaching and player personnel. The Warriors recorded five more turnovers than their opponents, proving costly in the tightly-contested seven-point defeat.
The Golden State Warriors provided glimpses of excitement but were unable to sustain considerable momentum during a close second-half.
Still in the building to watch on, Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr would have been impressed by a number of the team’s younger players led by Gui Santos. The Brazilian continues to showcase a more polished and aggressive offensive game, leading his team with 25 points on an efficient 9-for-15 shooting from the floor.
Golden State’s 55th overall pick in last year’s NBA Draft, Santos began the game with a pure catch-and-shoot corner three, before pouring in points in a variety of ways across a consistent four-quarter display.
The Warriors most recent first-round pick, Brandin Podziemski, encapsulated the turnover issues with a game-high five, though contributed positively in other other aspects. That included an equal game-high 11 rebounds, five of which came on the offensive glass as the 6’5″ guard fought well above his height on the interior.
After 26 and 21-point performances across two games at the California Classic, Lester Quinones failed to find the same range with just 15 points on 5-for-15 shooting. Eight of those points came in the final period as Golden State sought to overcome a double-digit deficit heading to the fourth.
Starting guard Kendric Davis had 12 points, four rebounds and eight assists, while former Brooklyn, Portland and Indiana center Reggie Perry recorded the game’s only double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds off the bench.
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The Warriors shot just 44.7% from the field, 32.3% from three, and 60% from the free-throw line, which combined with the turnover problems was never going to be a productive recipe to the ultimate success.
Golden State have a day off in preparation for a response in their second game against the New Orleans Pelicans at 7PM PT on Sunday.