NBA scores: Regardless of robust Steph Curry sport, Warriors lose to Hawks
Sooner or later through the second half of the Golden State Warriors’ 124-111 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday, play-by-play broadcaster Bob Fitzgerald passionately pointed one thing out: it had been some time for the reason that Warriors had been outplayed. If you wish to be pedantic, you may absolutely argue the assertion, however what Fitz was getting at made excellent sense. Golden State’s final loss got here on Monday towards the LA Clippers, however they performed effectively in that sport and simply went ice chilly capturing. Earlier than that it was a January 2 loss to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder whereas taking part in with out Steph Curry, Draymond Inexperienced, or Jimmy Butler III. And earlier than that it was a December 28 defeat by the hands of the Toronto Raptors, in a sport the place the Warriors have been in management till a sequence of self-inflicted wounds late within the sport. You had to return to mid-December to discover a sport {that a} wholesome(ish) Warriors group that merely took the court docket and performed comfortably higher basketball.
Fitzgerald didn’t carry up the purpose to make an excuse for the loss. He introduced it as much as word that the streak was coming to an finish. The Warriors have been dropping, and the Warriors have been going to lose, and the post-mortem was remarkably simple: the Warriors have been outplayed.
It was maybe an ominous signal that the Warriors — who’ve been so good about caring for the ball currently — opened the sport with a turnover. It actually didn’t deflate them, although, as they jumped out to an early 14-4 lead behind some high quality protection and some graciously missed pictures by the Hawks. However Atlanta instantly stopped the kindness, and began making their pictures. It wasn’t notably unhealthy protection from Golden State, but it surely wasn’t good protection, both, and the Hawks made shot after shot after shot. It was a fast 7-0 run that prompted a Steve Kerr timeout, however the Hawks had a 7-0 run ready on the opposite aspect of the timeout, too, and immediately that they had the lead.
Even with Curry taking a relaxation, the Dubs ended the quarter effectively, as they answered Atlanta’s large punch, and scored 10 straight factors of their very own; because of this, they trailed simply 28-27. Regardless of that preliminary turnover, the Warriors had dedicated simply two turnovers within the quarter … however pressured none.
Issues went fairly effectively to open up the second quarter. Golden State began to gradual Atlanta’s offense with some energetic palms on protection, and that introduced the group some momentum. An early burst gave the Dubs a 37-29 benefit, after which it became a highly-entertaining back-and-forth because the groups exchanged blows, with Jimmy Butler III and Jalen Johnson, specifically, placing on a present.
Whereas the Warriors led for a lot of the quarter, they’d run out of gasoline late. A pair of threes by Nickeil Alexander-Walker late within the half cemented a halftime lead for the Hawks, who took a 59-53 benefit into the locker rooms.
It was nonetheless anybody’s sport when the third quarter started, however not for lengthy. Atlanta felt totally in management, with the Warriors having to work arduous simply to accept a tough shot seemingly each time down the court docket. Regardless of Curry’s finest efforts to avoid wasting the Warriors in that scenario, the Hawks jumped out to a 70-58 lead on the 8:45 mark. It was, nonetheless, a sport of runs, and the Warriors had a giant one in retailer. It took them lower than 1:30 to blow up for 10 unanswered factors, forcing an Atlanta timeout (it will cap at an 11-0 run on the opposite aspect of the break). With that, the Warriors seemed to be having enjoyable. They have been energetic and vitality and dancing round on the court docket.
However the enjoyable didn’t final lengthy. The Hawks — who, since New 12 months’s Eve, have gone 4-2 with wins over the Timberwolves, Knicks, and Nuggets, whereas sporting the league’s second-best defensive ranking throughout that point — fully buckled down on protection. They totally put the clamps on the Dubs, and began draining three after three alongside the way in which, as Luke Kennard got here off the bench for a sensational sharp-shooting efficiency. Abruptly Golden State’s deficit was again to double digits, and seemingly rising by the possession. The Warriors’ offensive tire-spinning had saved their rating stagnant, as Atlanta had exploded for a game-altering 19-2 run. The Warriors did finish the quarter with a pleasant two-for-one — Butler drained a 3 on the entrance finish, and Gui Santos dropped in a buzzer-beating floater on the again — however even that was sandwiched round one other Kennard three.
Atlanta led 94-78 coming into the ultimate body, and the one query was whether or not the Warriors may lastly discover some offensive rhythm, and pull off a type of fourth quarter comebacks that they’ve been on the receiving finish of so many instances this 12 months. The reply, as you may suspect, was “no.”
Kennard saved killing them to open the fourth, and Golden State shortly discovered themselves trailing by 25 factors. That they had one final push, although, as a 10-0 run pulled them to inside 15 factors with 5:36 remaining, and they’d set about attempting to chip away at that deficit within the closing minutes. But it surely by no means felt like they actually had an opportunity. Even the Warriors’ runs felt unsustainable due to how arduous it was to come back by beauty … and what number of open pictures Atlanta was getting in return. Golden State did a bit of window dressing as they limped to the ending line, dropping 124-111, with the rating not precisely reflecting the one-sided nature of the sport.
The distinction in each capturing and protection was on show with the three-point numbers: Atlanta shot 15-for-39 from deep, making 38.5% of their makes an attempt; Golden State shot a depressing 10-for-42, netting theirs at a price of simply 23.8%. Usually when that occurs it’s an indication of merely having a chilly night time, however that wasn’t the case for the Warriors. Their appears to be like weren’t clear or good. They have been contested, deep, off stability, and full of another variety of boundaries. The Hawks appears to be like, then again, have been precisely what a group hopes for, and if we’re being truthful, the Dubs are fortunate that Atlanta didn’t shoot higher.
There was additionally a notable distinction in athleticism and vitality, and that was noticeable with how effectively Atlanta turned protection into offense. The Warriors misplaced the turnover battle 16-9, however the factors off turnovers battle was much more stark: a 28-11 benefit for the guests. Atlanta took benefit of alternatives, and Golden State merely didn’t.
Curry led the Warriors with 31 factors and 5 assists, whereas capturing 11-for-21 from the sphere, 3-for-11 from deep, and 6-for-6 from the free throw line, and committing three turnovers. However he needed to labor for the whole lot, and whereas he performed effectively, he seemed totally drained within the course of. Butler had a robust sport taking part in second fiddle, with 30 factors, seven rebounds, six assists, and two steals, whereas capturing 10-for-19 from the sphere, 2-for-6 on threes, and 8-for-8 from the charity stripe. However whereas Golden State acquired 61 factors from their two offensive stars, the remainder of the group mixed for simply 50, whereas capturing a paltry 21-for-50, and 3-for-7 on free throws. De’Anthony Melton, who wanted 12 pictures to attain 10 factors, was the one different Warrior in double figures, because the Hawks bench outscored Golden State’s 43-35.
It was a way more balanced assault for Atlanta, although that they had three clear offensive stars: Alexander-Walker, who led the group with 24 factors on 9-for-18 capturing; Johnson, who’s now, for sure the face of the franchise following the Trae Younger commerce, and who netted 23 factors on 9-for-16 capturing, whereas additionally grabbing 11 boards and dishing six assists; and Kennard, who shot 6-for-9 from three-point vary, and wanted simply 11 pictures (and no free throw makes an attempt) to attain 22 factors.
Three different gamers scored in double figures for Atlanta, together with Onyeka Okongwu, who completed with 18 factors, 12 rebounds, eight assists, and two steals. Dyson Daniels had a sensational defensive sport, whereas additionally totaling 11 factors, seven rebounds, and 9 assists.
Golden State falls to 21-19 with the loss, they usually’ll get Monday off to determine some issues out. They’re again in motion on Tuesday, once they host the Portland Path Blazers at 8:00 p.m. PT within the fourth sport of this eight-game house stand.
