The Golden State Warriors have started to resemble its balanced, ball-sharing self once more since Draymond Green returned from his second ban of the season.
After a sluggish start, Andrew Wiggins is getting back to his typical dominant form, Jonathan Kuminga is developing into an explosive facilitator, and Stephen Curry is performing as usual.
With guard Klay Thompson sidelined due to illness, the Warriors defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 119-107 on Tuesday night behind 37 points from Curry, including eight 3-pointers, and 26 points from Kuminga.
Green remarked, “It’s fun, and I think things are starting to come together for us now.” All we need to do is link together some victories.
In his third straight 30-point performance, Curry, who also had eight rebounds and seven assists, shot 12 for 17. It was his sixth straight game with at least 25 points and his third straight game with six or more threes.
Midway through the third quarter, he made two consecutive three-pointers, giving Golden State a 69-57 lead. He ended the quarter with 15 points.
Wiggins contributed five rebounds, four assists, and 23 points. Kuminga and Wiggins were encouraged by Green, who, according to coach Steve Kerr, “told us to keep going, no matter what.”
With his ability to interact with players on both sides of the court and his defensive and offensive organization skills, Draymond “really changed things with his return,” according to Kerr. It’s wonderful to watch Wiggs and JK perform so beautifully together. It’s entertaining to watch, as you can see that our team is changing slightly in terms of who and how we play.
With 4:04 remaining, Kuminga collapsed on his left leg, causing Tobias Harris to score 26 points and grab 10 rebounds, and Joel Embiid to score 14 points before hobbling to the locker room to a standing ovation. Coach Nick Nurse announced that Wednesday’s MRI would be performed on the center.
After losing by one point in both of their previous two games against 2023 playoff opponents—145-144 to the Lakers in double overtime on Saturday night and 134-133 to Sacramento on Thursday—the Warriors’ victory to close up their homestand was noteworthy.
The Sixers had won six games in a row before losing their fourth straight. With a sprained left ankle, Tyrese Maxey missed his third consecutive game, which was anticipated to be his return for the second night of a back-to-back.
Golden State won for just the third time in nine games as Wiggins converted his first five shots and scored in double digits for the sixth time in seven games. Kuminga increased the number of games he has scored 20 points or more in his career to seven. In 24 straight games, he has scored in double figures, which is also a record.
Kuminga receives encouragement from Green when he tells him, “Nobody in the world can stop you.”
The Warriors had used 16 different starting lineups this season when Thompson was replaced by Brandin Podziemski, who scored 11 points the same day he was selected for the All-Star Weekend Rising Stars team. His 20th charge was the second-highest in the league.
Of Golden State’s thirty-two assists, seven came from Dario Saric, while Draymond Green had six in addition to his nine points and six rebounds.
Moses Moody, a guard with the Warriors, should make his injury comeback on the forthcoming road trip. He injured his left calf on January 10 and has since been cleared to resume practice. Chris Paul, who hurt his left hand on January 5, is able to resume mild individual on-court exercises while wearing a splint. In two weeks, the Warriors indicated, he will undergo another evaluation.
