Warriors Rally Without Draymond Green, Lock Down Suns in Gritty Win
Draymond Green’s first ejection of the season came early in Saturday night’s matchup between the Golden State Warriors and the Phoenix Suns - and it was vintage Draymond. The fiery forward lasted just eight minutes before getting tossed at Chase Center, picking up a pair of quick technicals after colliding with Collin Gillespie and then jawing at the officials. It was a familiar scene, and one that left the Warriors down a key defensive anchor just as they were trying to claw out of an early 10-point hole.
At the time of the ejection, Golden State trailed 47-37, and Green had logged four points, three rebounds, and an assist on a perfect 2-for-2 from the field. But what followed was arguably the Warriors' most locked-in defensive performance of the season - and it came without the man who usually sets that tone.
Golden State didn’t just survive without Draymond. They thrived.
Defense by Committee
With Green out, the Warriors turned to a collective effort on the defensive end, and it paid off. Over the final three quarters, they held Phoenix to just 39% shooting - a stark contrast to the early rhythm the Suns had found.
It wasn’t just about effort; it was about execution. Rotations were crisp, closeouts were sharp, and the Warriors communicated like a group that knew they had to dig deep.
Will Richard and Jimmy Butler were at the heart of that surge. Richard came off the bench and gave Golden State a massive lift, scoring 20 points on an efficient 6-of-7 shooting while grabbing five boards. He brought energy, physicality, and smart decision-making - exactly what the Warriors needed in the absence of their emotional leader.
Butler, meanwhile, was his usual two-way force. He poured in 25 points on 10-of-21 shooting and played a central role in slowing down Phoenix’s perimeter attack. His ability to switch, contest, and recover helped set the tone defensively, especially in key stretches late in the game.
Steph Steadies the Ship
Of course, no Warriors rally is complete without a little Steph Curry magic. The two-time MVP led all scorers for Golden State with 28 points, adding 10 rebounds and six assists while shooting 47.4% from the field. He was the steady hand in the storm, orchestrating the offense and hitting big shots when the Warriors needed them most.
Even with Devin Booker going off for 38 points, the Warriors never let the game slip away. They cut Phoenix’s lead to four with 3:36 left in the first half and trailed by just three at the break. From there, it was a back-and-forth battle, but Golden State’s defensive intensity never wavered - a testament to their resilience after a rocky stretch of games.
A Much-Needed Win
Saturday’s 119-116 victory snapped a three-game skid and moved Golden State to 14-15 on the season. It wasn’t just a win - it was a statement. The Warriors proved they could buckle down defensively even without their defensive heartbeat, and that kind of grit could be a turning point as they look to climb back into the Western Conference playoff picture.
With the Orlando Magic up next on Monday, the focus now shifts to whether Golden State can bottle up the same defensive energy - this time, ideally, with Draymond Green on the floor and not in the locker room.
If Saturday night was any indication, the Warriors still have the fight. Now it’s about consistency.