Rookie flirts with major milestone as Golden State Warriors win fifth-straight game
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The Golden State Warriors have won their fifth-straight game, moving beyond a .500 record with a dominant 126-106 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers at Chase Center on Saturday night.
After a sloppy, turnover-ridden first-quarter where the Trail Blazers built an 11-point lead, the Warriors turned the tables with a 34-16 second-quarter that opened up an advantage that was never truly threatened.
Golden State Warriors' rookie Brandin Podziemski flirted with a triple-double in the 126-106 win over the Portland Trail Blazers
Klay Thompson recorded his sixth-straight 20-point game, heating up for 13 points in the third-quarter and 28 for the game on a highly efficient 11-of-16 shooting including 6-of-10 from three-point range.
He and fellow splash brother Stephen Curry combined for 55 points, with the two-time MVP adding 27 of his own on a night where he was again able to sit for a majority of the fourth-quarter.
The production of the Warrior younger players continues to be a storyline, having already been a major talking point during the current winning-streak. Rookie Brandin Podziemski flirted with his first career triple-double, finishing three assists short in a 15-point, 10-rebound, seven-assist display.
Podziemski and fellow rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis combined for arguably the highlight of the game, with the 20-year-old guard finding his big man with a gorgeous pass in transition early in the fourth-quarter.
Has there ever been better value from a pair of rookies both taken out of the lottery? https://t.co/tiK7Jwf05I
— Blue Man Hoop (@BlueManHoop) December 24, 2023
In a game where Kevon Looney found some form with six points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, Jackson-Davis saw less floor time than his previous three outings. Still, the 23-year-old made the most of his 17 minutes, recording 13 points, five rebounds and three assists off the bench.
Jonathan Kuminga again impressed in his starting role, flashing more playmaking with a season-high five assists and zero turnovers. The athletic forward also added 11 points and six rebounds, while fellow third-year lottery pick Moses Moody added 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting.
Golden State shot 57.8% from the floor and dished out 38 assists, with Chris Paul again leading the way with 11 assists and just one turnover to go with three steals. Anfernee Simons was a constant threat with seven threes and 25 points, but Portland never got within eight through the entire second-half.
The Warriors have now moved to a 15-14 record and 10th in the Western Conference ahead of a marquee Christmas Day matchup with the reigning champion Denver Nuggets.