Draymond Green questioned the Golden State Warriors’ commitment to winning after they swallowed a 24-point loss to the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder Wednesday.
The Warriors (7-6) responded less than 24 hours later with a 125-120 win in San Antonio, snapping a six-game road skid against the Spurs (8-3).
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In his second game back after missing three in a row because of illness, Stephen Curry scored 46 points on the tail end of the back-to-back, including 22 in a momentum-shifting third quarter, and is now one 40-point game shy of tying Michael Jordan for the most 40-pieces after the age of 30.
Jimmy Butler III had his best game since the opener, going for 28 points while making 5-of-7 attempts from 3. And Green, the third 35-and-up veteran leading a Golden State team in his golden years, did an admirable job defending Spurs standout Victor Wembanyama, contrary to what the box score suggests.
Wembanyama got his, clocking out with 31 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists. Together, he and Stephon Castle became the first Spurs teammates to notch triple-doubles in the same game. Castle went for 23 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
Wembanyama also extended his streak of games with a block to 96 by swatting a Green 3-point attempt in the first quarter. But he finished minus-9 and had a season-high eight turnovers. The 6-foot-6 Green was a thorn in the 7-foot-4 Wembanyama’s side all night. Green, who conversely was plus-15 on the night, used his physicality to clamp and contest Wembanyama, at times forcing the 21-year-old to settle for jumpers.
Green didn’t do much on the offensive end. In fact, he was a mere 1 of 10 from the floor, although his one make was timely. It arrived with just under three minutes remaining, and it helped keep the Spurs at arm’s length in the final frame.
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While a De’Aaron Fox tip shot cut San Antonio’s deficit back down to four points, a Butler 3 on the next possession signaled the beginning of the end for the Spurs.
Curry assisted that one, but his high-volume scoring was his headlining act. He went 13 of 25. A few late misses from deep dropped him to 5 of 16 from that range Wednesday, during which he also made several trips to the free throw line. There, he cashed in on 15 of his 16 opportunities.
Curry has piled up 40 or more points 73 times — the ninth most in NBA history — and, notably, 43 times since he turned 30.
“When you have the privilege of watching Steph for 11-plus years like I have, you get used to this,” said Steve Kerr, the Warriors head coach who has won four NBA titles with Curry starring.
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“He’s the reason this whole thing has happened. He’s our Tim Duncan. He’s the sun in our solar system.”
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