After having two games postponed due to assistant coach Dejan Milovovic's sudden passing, for the Warriors, it was a very emotional night at Chase Center as the Dubs prepared to face off the visiting Atlanta Hawks. There was a lot of pre-game ceremonies to honor "Deki", many players and staff were wearing BRATE (Brother in Serbian) t-shirts, and Warriors uniforms will have Dejan's initials in a heart stitched into their jerseys for the rest of the season. At the scorer's table, there will be Dejan's initials in a heart on the hardwood floor.
As for the game itself, the Warriors played one of their most well-rounded games in a while, as the defense and offense were in sync and the Dubs went on to beat the Hawks in convincing fashion, 132-112. Steph Curry dropped 25 points, Klay Thompson added 24, but the real star of the night was Jonathan Kuminga, who tied a franchise record by going 11 for 11 on field goals- JK did not miss a single shot he took! I can also add how happy Coach Steve Kerr was on how tenacious Kuminga was on the floor, snagging rebounds, blocking shots and disrupting Atlanta's offense. This was a definite get-well game for the players, the fans and the overall Warriors organization.
The next night, Golden State hosted the Sacramento Kings, and the first half was an offensive pyrotechnics show, with the score 75-72 at halftime. The scoring deluge continued in the 2nd half, and the Dubs took it down to the final minute, but once again, in clutch minutes, Golden State could not get a shot up in the last 11 seconds, and lost to the Kings in their final regular season meeting of the season, 134-133. Jonathan Kuminga once again had a great game, scoring 31 points, but former Warrior Harrison Barnes set a career high with 39 points.
I was not able to see Saturday night's game, but from what I've read, my remote would've met the wall, as the Warriors lost at home to the visiting Los Angeles Lakers, 145-144 in double-overtime. Steph Curry put up 46 points in this game, but the referees must be out of breath with the amount of fouls they whistled, which led to a parade of Lakers free throws. After the game, let's just say coach Steve Kerr was not pleased.
The final game of this home stand had the Philadelphia 76'ers visiting Chase Center with probable NBA MVP Joel Emblid, who just had a 70 point game recently, making his first visit to the Bay Area. Golden State was ready, holding Emblid to a season low 14 points with a stifling defense, and double-teaming Emblid. We also had Jonathan Kuminga scoring 26 points, and has now seven games in a row with 20 points or more. With Draymond Green leading the action on the floor on offense and defense, the Warriors beat the 76'ers, 119-107. I will also note that several San Francisco 49ers were in the front row to enjoy the game and cheer on their Bay Area sports mates!
By the time I post next weeks Warriors round up, it will be just after the February 8th trade deadline. Coach Kerr said recently he doesn't see the Warriors making any moves, and I kinda agree with him. The Dubs will have the All-Star Break coming up, and then the return of injured players like Chris Paul, Moses Moody, and Gary Payton Jr. We shall see if Golden State feels they need to make a change or stand with who they have.
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