Warriors Stumble in Return as Celtics Shine Bright
The Golden State Warriors faced a tough return from the All-Star break, falling to the Boston Celtics in a game that showcased Boston's dominance and left the Warriors with more questions than answers. Despite the buzz around Kristaps Porzingis' debut at the Chase Center, the Celtics were simply unstoppable.
Celtics' Commanding Performance
The Celtics built a formidable 34-point lead by the third quarter, thanks to a stellar 38-19 second quarter. Although the Warriors mounted a 37-19 rally in the fourth, it was too little, too late. The Celtics secured a 121-110 victory, pushing the Warriors to 29-27 and complicating their chase for a top-6 finish in the Western Conference.
Steve Kerr's Take
Warriors' coach Steve Kerr didn't hold back in his praise for the Celtics. "Boston was incredible.
They're having an amazing season and are a machine right now," Kerr remarked. He commended Joe Mazzulla and his staff for their remarkable work, especially given the challenges of injuries and roster changes.
Kerr analyzed the Warriors' struggles, noting, "They put on a clinic those first three quarters. We were slow to start, which is common after a break. It was good to see some fight and rhythm late in the game, which we can carry into the next matchup."
Celtics' Metrics Mastery
The Celtics dominated key metrics, particularly in the paint, scoring 58 of their 121 points there. This was notable given their usual reliance on perimeter shooting. They also excelled from beyond the arc, hitting 43% of their threes compared to the Warriors' 36%.
Jaylen Brown was a standout, delivering a triple-double with 23 points, 15 rebounds, and 13 assists. Payton Pritchard came off the bench to lead all scorers with 26 points, including clutch shots down the stretch.
For the Warriors, De'Anthony Melton's 18 points and Will Richard's 17 were bright spots, but the team's shooting woes, especially from Draymond Green and Al Horford, who combined for 2-17 from the field, were glaring.
Looking Ahead
The Warriors will aim to regroup and shake off the rust with a few days of practice before facing the Denver Nuggets. They'll need to rediscover their rhythm and cohesion to bounce back in the competitive Western Conference.