SAN FRANCISCO – Steph Curry zipped round screens earlier than burying 3-pointers. Jimmy Butler slalomed into the lane for artful layups on a young ankle. Draymond Inexperienced received right into a scrap with a Lakers huge man.
Curry scored 14 factors, Butler put in 9 and Inexperienced had 5 assists as a playmaking 5.
It might need been simply the preseason opener towards a Lakers crew that lacked LeBron James and Luka Doncic, however the Warriors star-led lineup appeared an identical to the crew that went 23-8 to finish the common season early in Sunday’s 111-103 victory.
Effectively, virtually an identical.
That new Al Horford man … he was fairly troublesome to disregard. The stats accrued in simply 14 minutes had been spectacular sufficient: three factors, 4 rebounds, three assists, a trio of blocks and a steal stood out on the field rating.
However the 39-year-old middle’s impression went past numbers.
It was his capturing gravity pulling Deandre Ayton out of the paint within the first quarter, giving Curry and Butler area to run a two-man sport that led to a layup.
It was his fast give-and-go with Curry within the nook just a few moments later, hitting the purpose guard in stride for the layup.
It was his rim-protection, which was highlighted by an emphatic swat of LeBron James Jr., his father solely capable of watch the carnage from the bench.
Coach Steve Kerr caught to his plan of getting the veteran gamers – Curry, Inexperienced, Butler and Horford – play solely round 10 to fifteen minutes within the first half.
And in these quarter-hour, Horford appeared even higher than the cerebral, well-rounded veteran he was marketed as. Horford may as nicely have been a longtime Warrior, a part of these dynastic groups of the 2010s who knew the intricacies of the offense.
Whereas he could not be capable to play the large minutes (or back-to-backs) like Horford may as an All-Star in Atlanta or Boston, but when the primary sport is something to go by, he can be a high-impact power who matches in completely with the celebrities.
Curry appears spry
Like the remainder of his late-30s friends, Curry performed round quarter-hour, all within the first half. However in his allotted time on the Chase Middle flooring, the 37-year-old performed like he was 10 years youthful.
Curry scored 14 factors and made 5 of seven pictures. He ripped round screens for threes and located openings within the paint for layups like ordinary, however he additionally showcased chemistry along with his new teammate Horford too.
His transition layup was the spotlight, however he additionally appeared comfy operating a excessive pick-and-pop with the middle, even when it resulted in a uncommon Curry miss. Like the remainder of the Warriors, he benefited from Horford’s capturing prowess as a flooring spacer.
Kuminga is a … passer?
After an offseason spent specializing in Jonathan Kuminga’s scoring position with the Warriors, the newly re-signed restricted free agent appeared intent on displaying he was able to making the correct play.
Coming off the bench with 3:55 left within the first quarter and sporting a brand new No. 1 on his jersey, the fifth-year ahead solely tried three pictures in quarter-hour.
He as an alternative did his greatest Aaron Gordon impression, grabbing six rebounds and throwing 4 assists. Two of these dimes got here within the third quarter, when he drew consideration on the break and dished to open teammates. Kuminga even had a block.
He scored six factors, on a drive and an open 3-pointer. There have been missed field outs and iffy protection, however the Warriors needed to be inspired by what they noticed from the brand new $46.5 million man to begin the season.
The Warriors will play host to Portland on Wednesday.
Different notables
- The Warriors combined in each zone and man defensive appears, as to be anticipated in a preseason sport. In addition they went 11-deep within the first half, and in complete 18 gamers suited up.
- Moses Moody started the sport by blowing previous Ayton for a dunk and completed with a team-high 19 factors. Kerr beforehand mentioned that he sees Moody as extra of a playmaker within the screen-and-roll sport, however on Sunday, he diced up the Lakers as a nook shooter and driver.
- Will Richard scored three factors and had a slick behind-the-back help to Trayce Jackson-Davis for a 3rd quarter dunk.
- Buddy Hield and Pat Spencer mixed for 23 factors, with Hield taking part in principally with the common rotation gamers, whereas Spencer ran with the deep reserves.
- Seth Curry, De’Anthony Melton and Alex Toohey weren’t energetic for the sport. Curry is but to be cleared by the medical crew. Melton continues to be rehabbing from a torn ACL, and Toohey is coping with tendinitis in his proper knee.
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