SAN FRANCISCO – While suffocating an emaciated Los Angeles Clippers squad, the Warriors showcased a refocused defense. And riding a Stephen Curry wave to a comeback victory over the fatigued Denver Nuggets suggested they were ready to reclaim their swagger.
There are steps to take before the Warriors can consider themselves back on point, but the one they took Saturday night was massive.
Still without Draymond Green, the Warriors looked very much like a team accelerating toward its peak throughout a 122-109 victory over the reigning champion Milwaukee Bucks before a sellout crowd (18,064) at Chase Center.
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Five days after a five-game losing streak generated concern about the Warriors making a recovery before Draymond’s return, they used ferocious defense and crisp shooting to inject a potent shot of credibility into their championship hopes.
“That’s the defending champs,” coach Steve Kerr said. “They came in playing really well. To get out of the funk that were in, to kind of scrape by against the Clippers and Denver, and then have a complete performance like we did tonight feel like ... feels like us again.”
The Warriors (46-22) have won three in a row for the first time in more than a month, and they did it by playing the kind of game they’ve been seeking since New Year’s Day.
Klay Thompson, Jordan Poole and Curry made their first start together and were a resounding success. Thompson poured in a season-high 38 points and Poole totaled 30. Andrew Wiggins came out of his five-week hibernation with 21 points -- his first game with at least 20 points since January.
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Curry, the franchise centerpiece now and for the foreseeable future, finished with eight. When the Warriors built their first 20-point lead (78-58) early in the third quarter, he had scored five points. Reaching 122, and getting only eight from Curry, sends a jolt of confidence through the entire roster.
“It becomes four-on-three on the backside,” Poole said. “In the NBA, it’s really hard to defend if you are at a disadvantage already. Being able to have Wiggs and Klay space the floor and (Kevon Looney), who has one of the highest IQs that I have played with, makes it easy to make plays on the back side.”
Curry was facing elite defender Jrue Holiday, as well as double-teams and occasional triple-teams. So, he adjusted, taking only seven shots. He trusted his teammates and was rewarded with eight assists and the kind of stunningly lopsided victory that raises eyebrows around the league.
“I don’t think a player has seen as many double- and triple-teams as Steph, and it opened up my game a lot,” said Thompson, whose 17-point second quarter tilted the game heavily toward the Warriors. “I appreciate him for the gravity he takes when he’s on the floor.”
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Thompson was plus-27 over 34 minutes, and Poole was plus-26 over 35 minutes. Putting Poole in the starting lineup, at least temporarily, intensified the entire offense. In the second and third quarters, where the game was decided, the Warriors put up 75 points on 59.6 percent shooting against a very good defense.
Meanwhile, the Golden State’s defense disallowed Milwaukee momentum. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a team-high 31 points, but 12 came off free throws. Khris Middleton scored 18 points on 6-of-19 shooting, Holiday had 13 on 5-of-11 and Bobby Portis managed only four points on 2-of-10.
Considering the Warriors are working their way back from a stretch during which they lost nine of 11 games, this performance was a memo to themselves.
“It’s a great sign,” Kerr said, “but we’ve got to keep doing it.”
Green watched it all from the bench, coaching and exhorting throughout. He witnessed a preview of the Warriors will look like nearing the top of their game, with the apex not reachable without him.
He’ll be back on Monday, rejoining a team with all the parts to be better than the one he played on in the first half of the season.