The Golden State Warriors kept their roll going in dramatic fashion Saturday, erasing a 17-point deficit and turning back the Phoenix Suns 116-113 for their fifth straight win.
It looked rough early. Phoenix had built a sizable cushion midway through the second quarter, and the game seemed headed toward ending Golden State’s four-game streak. But the Warriors had already shown they can dig out of a hole, and this one followed the same script as their 25-point comeback against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Steph Curry and Brandin Podziemski helped steady the fightback, and the Warriors took over in the third quarter with 42 points to wipe out the Suns’ lead and pull even at 93. The fourth quarter stayed tight, with Curry and Jalen Green each scoring seven points in the period. Then Curry closed it out at the line, knocking down free throws late to put Golden State ahead for good.
Curry finished with a game-high 34 points on 9-of-21 shooting, adding five made 3-pointers, seven assists and six rebounds in 33 minutes. It was his third straight game with at least 31 points.
Golden State also got double-figure scoring from four other players, including rookie Yaxel Lendeborg and Podziemski.
The night wasn’t clean for the Warriors, though. Draymond Green was ejected with 10 minutes left in the third quarter after a confrontation with Khaman Maluach and Dillon Brooks. Even so, Charles Bassey gave Golden State a lift off the bench, finishing with 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting, eight rebounds and an assist in 23 minutes.
The win moved the Warriors into a tie with the San Antonio Spurs for the NBA’s current longest winning streak.
After playing on the second night of a back-to-back, Golden State will have Tuesday and Wednesday off before hosting the Miami Heat on Thursday night at Chase Center.
In Other News...
Warriors Hot Start Comes With One Troubling Yaxel Lendeborg Sign
The Warriors recent winning streaks have helped mask a curious early-season wrinkle around Yaxel Lendeborg. On the surface, he has been producing exactly the kind of all-around line that usually travels well in Golden State, averaging 21.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists while shooting efficiently and giving the offense another reliable option.
Still, the plus-minus has told a different story, with Lendeborg sitting at minus-21 through 255 minutes. The number has been shaped by a few specific games, but it also points to the areas the Warriors will want cleaned up as the season settles in, especially turnovers, defense and fouling. [Read more 🡒]
Steve Kerr Adds Another Twist Before Warriors Face Klay And Wiggins
Steve Kerr had a little of everything to discuss after practice, including the kind of off-court topic that can briefly hijack a room before the basketball questions take over. He also touched on the Warriors health, saying Gui Santos sat out with a sore left knee while Brandon Williams went through a full session and should be available.
Golden States next game brings another familiar wrinkle, with the Miami Heat arriving in town carrying former Warriors Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins. For Kerr, it adds an extra layer to a matchup that already has plenty of emotional baggage, even before the teams tip off. [Read more 🡒]
Warriors Face A Costly Porziis Problem With No Clear End
Kristaps Porziis has become one of the more complicated roster questions facing the Warriors this season, and not just because he has yet to suit up. Golden State is withholding salary payments while he remains away from the team because of undisclosed health issues, a situation that has left the club balancing basketball needs, financial planning and the reality that a player it signed to a two-year deal has not been available at all.
The front office is also trying to navigate the contract from a cap standpoint, with trade interest tied more to financial flexibility than any expectation of an immediate on-court fix. Porziis has reportedly considered stepping away from basketball, which only adds to the uncertainty around when, or if, the Warriors can count on him as part of their plans. [Read more 🡒]