Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs Golden State Warriors
Yesterday at 03:00 AM
The NBA's recent past and near future clash tonight at the Frost Bank Center
It's coming up on 10 years since Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors won the first of 4 championships that would solidify them as an NBA dynasty, and they find themselves in the thick of things once again. Their longtime Big 3 of Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson broke up this off-season with the departure of Thompson in free agency, but Curry, Green and head coach Steve Kerr have Golden State sitting atop the deep Western Conference standings as the first full month of the season enters its final week. Even this late into their careers, Curry and Green remain Golden State's fulcrum on offense and defense respectively, and the rest of the team appears to have bought in. Whether or not they will seriously compete for the title remains to be seen, but early on they have the look of a team that should be in the mix.
Even with all the injuries they've weathered in the early going this season, the San Antonio Spurs managed to pick up their 8th win of the year Thursday night in a comeback win against the Utah Jazz. San Antonio, who had a notoriously poor November last season, didn't pick up their 8th win of Victor Wembanyama's rookie year until January 20th, leaving them firmly out of the play-in picture by the time Christmas had rolled around. Thanks to a commitment on the defensive end that has them in the top 10 in Defensive Efficiency and an offense led by physical dominance of Wembanyama and the savyness of Point God Chris Paul, could this be the year the Spurs make their return to the NBA Playoffs?
San Antonio Spurs (8-8) vs Golden State Warriors (11-3)
November 22nd 2024 | 7:30 PM CT
Watch: | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Injuries: Jeremy Sochan, thumb (OUT), Victor Wembanyama, knee (questionable), Devin Vassell, knee (questionable), Keldon Johnson, hamstring tightness (questionable
Warriors Injuries: Stephen Curry, knee (day to day), Reece Beekman (OUT)
What to watch for
- A few months shy of his 37th birthday, it's amazing to watch what Stephen Curry is still doing, especially as a backcourt player. Only a few ticks shy of a 50/40/90 shooting line 15 games, he still instills fear in the hearts of defenders the moment he crosses half court. He's dealing with bursitis in one of his knees and did play 33 minutes last night, so there's a chance he's not out there on what would be a SEGABABA for Golden State.
- Trayce Jackson-Davis has built on a strong rookie season by claiming Golden State's starting center spot over Kevon Looney. The 6'9 sophomore uses his athleticism to his advantage, plays with a ton of energy, runs from baseline to baseline hard and gives the Warriors a solid scoring option inside.
- After dealing with off the court issues for parts of the last two years, Andrew Wiggins appears to be back to playing the role that he filled so perfectly when Golden State won their 4th title in the Curry Era. Namely, a tenacious defender that can be relied on to hit open shots and guard the opposing team's best perimeter player. He had a 30-burger in Golden State's win last night over the New Orleans Pelicans.
- Jonathon Kuminga's playing time has been a bit all over the place this season. Kuminga, a dynamic athlete who has shown flashes of potential, has been Steve Kerr's first man off the bench most of the season. It will be interesting to see what the Warriors do with him going forward.
- Former Spur Kyle Anderson has found a new home in Golden State.
For the Warriors fan's perspective, please visit Golden State of Mind.
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