SAN ANTONIO — Twenty-four hours after an “embarrassing” drubbing in Oklahoma City, the Golden State Warriors leaned on Stephen Curry to steady the ship. The 17-year veteran erupted for 46 points, including 22 in a blistering third quarter, guiding Golden State to a 125-120 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night.
The outburst marked Curry’s 73rd career game with at least 40 points and his 43rd since turning 30, trailing only Michael Jordan’s 44 such performances after that age milestone. Head coach Steve Kerr labeled the display “routine.”
Urgent response after six straight road losses
Golden State entered the AT&T Center a night removed from falling behind the Thunder by as many as 36 points, their sixth consecutive road defeat. In the aftermath, Draymond Green questioned the club’s collective focus, prompting extended morning and afternoon meetings at the team hotel before facing San Antonio, according to team sources.
Kerr acknowledged the Warriors were “6-6 with 70 games left” yet emphasized the need to “rediscover our identity.” Despite initial conversations about resting Curry, Jimmy Butler and Green on the back end of the back-to-back, all three insisted on playing. Director of sports medicine Rick Celebrini approved the plan because each saw limited minutes in Oklahoma City.
Lineup shake-up
Kerr altered the starting five, moving Jonathan Kuminga and Quinten Post to the bench in favor of Moses Moody and rookie Will Richard. The smaller look was designed to free Butler offensively and quicken ball movement. Kerr praised Richard’s decisive passing, noting the coaching staff had cautioned others about holding the ball too long.
Slow start, explosive third
Golden State managed only 14 points in the opening quarter, missing 14 of 18 three-point attempts, attempting just four two-pointers and failing to reach the free-throw line. The Spurs’ lead ballooned to 16 before Curry ignited the comeback. The two-time MVP posted the 43rd 20-point quarter of his career in the third, helping the Warriors flip a 16-point deficit into an 81-80 advantage when he sat late in the period.
Butler carried the offense while Curry rested, stretching the margin to eight entering the fourth. The veteran wing, who had not hit a three-pointer in his previous five November outings, drilled five triples against San Antonio, including a late dagger over a sagging 7-foot-4 Victor Wembanyama. Butler finished with 26 points, six rebounds and eight assists.
Veteran perspective
The Warriors referenced previous adversity for perspective. Kerr reminded players of the 2022 championship squad that dropped seven of eight in March before rallying to win the title. Curry, asked to rate the past 24 hours on the team’s crisis scale, called it “a solid four” out of 10.
“We’ve been around long enough to address things without making it personal,” Curry said after the win. “It’s about accountability and ownership. We’ll probably have to do it three or four more times this season.”
Golden State (7-6) ends its road trip on a winning note, while San Antonio (4-9) absorbs its third straight loss.
Source: ESPN
