It wasn’t ideal that Andrew Wiggins ended up with the ball with the game on the line on Saturday, considering he hadn’t played in over two months. However, the Warriors do feel whole again with Wiggins’ return after a lengthy personal absence, Wiggins finished with 17 points and four blocks in 28 minutes in the Game 1 loss to Sacramento, Kendra Andrews of ESPN notes.
“He’s a big part of everything we do,” guard Stephen Curry said. “When you go into a season, you want to be as fully healthy as possible because that’s the way all the pieces are meant to fit. We haven’t had it for a very long time and we tried to hold down the fort. Now we have that look back.”
Warriors coach Steve Kerr didn’t mind seeing Wiggins get a corner shot with his team down one in the waning seconds. “Take that shot all day long. Left corner 3, that’s his spot,” Kerr said.
We have more on the defending champions:
- The Kings showed grit and poise down the stretch despite their lack of playoff experience, Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area writes. Sacramento guards De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk outdueled the Warriors’ Splash Brothers in the second half. “They made plays down the stretch,” forward Draymond Green said. “They got to the free throw line. And we missed a couple shots that we’ll make.”
- Big man Kevon Looney played 32 minutes, made both of his field goal attempts, pulled down nine rebounds and added two assists, a block and a steal. He re-upped with the Warriors on a three-year, $22MM deal last offseason and Marcus Thompson of The Athletic details how Looney has become an invaluable member of the team.
- The Warriors have now lost the first road game in a series 11 times under Kerr but they won Game 2 eight of the previous 10 times. That gives the Warriors plenty of reason for optimism, since they’re familiar with making adjustments, Thompson writes. “For the most part, I liked the way that we played,” Curry said. “And if we can do that again — just with that level of execution, shore up some of our defensive kind of rotations and looks to try to slow those guys down. I know we can shoot the ball better and rebound the ball better. So if we can do those things, I like where we’re at … we’ve got to win one in this building at least, so, why not Game 2?”
- Jordan Poole is listed as questionable for Monday’s game after rolling his left ankle on Saturday.
Kangz in 6
Kangz within 4…, years !!
Their time is coming. This is their first time to the dance so this exposure will be tremendous learning experience. They sure looked good Saturday night and Fox is a handful. He doesn’t get enough credit for being such a great player.
But remember this. Warriors are horrible on the road this year, Malik monk had the game of his life, and the Kings won by just 3. I don’t think games two three four and five will go as perfectly for Sacramento. Dubs in 5.
Lol they’re gonna roll off 4 straight? Ok good luck. Kings didn’t even hit shots last game and they’re better on the road than at home.
Game two tonight should be exciting. Let’s see who shows up. I know the Warriors are older and they won’t let an opportunity like this season get away from them. It’ll only be tougher next year and the year after. The time for them is now.
Whereas the Kings DO have the future. They’ll be great next year again and the year after. As in the Suns Clippers series, the team more desperate will probably wind up on top. In this series it’s the Warriors desperately wanting that 5th ring for their legacy. Heck they barely made it into the playoffs they’re not going to squander this.
It’s nice that you believe so much in the warriors I just think this might be a reverse of the we believe warriors. Nobody gave the kings a shot but anybody that has watched in earnest both of these teams play this year know that take is prob recency bias
We believe Warriors were a 8 seed going against 1 seed Dallas. Nobody gave the Kings a shot as the 3 seed with home court advantage against the worst road team this year ? smh
Warriors were -350 to win bro nobody gave the kings a shot
Hey buddy, so dubs in 6?
Dubs in 6