Golden State Warriors guard Ian Clark, middle, drives between Los Angeles Lakers forward Metta World Peace, left, and guard Stephen Curry during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016.
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But after playing a significant part in Golden State’s first championship win in 40 years and subsequently helping the team achieve a 33-2 regular season record, there really isn’t a reason to blame Thompson for finding the confidence he lacked in the beginning of the season as he did his best to work through a lingering back injury.
The league’s reigning Most Valuable Player, Curry, missed three games with a lower leg injury but has played extended minutes in the last two games and seems to be back to his old self.
The six year veteran has called the injury “frustrating and annoying” but it is clearly something he can play through as he has done well when he has been on the court recently. “Long term, it’s not something that I’ll have to worry about”. Barnes, meanwhile, played 20 minutes and scored eight points after missing the previous 16 games with a severe left ankle sprain and bone bruise suffered November 27 at Phoenix. Like four weeks. I’m not going to sit out four weeks, so, just got to figure out how to protect it while I’m out on the floor and keep playing. The fans at Oracle Arena gave Barnes a standing ovation when he entered the game, which gave Interim Head Coach, Luke Walton more flexibility with his lineup. “I think the main thing I don’t like is, when you take him out of a game, how he acts sometimes”, Scott said.
Houston snapped a four-game skid by overrunning Utah and winning 93-91 after having been 15 points down midway through the third quarter when James Harden lit up en route to 30 points. To make matters worse for the Lakers’ offense, they may be without Kobe Bryant (shoulder) and D’Angelo Russell (throat) for this game.
Paul George scored 32 points on 12-for-29 shooting for IN, but his 3-pointer from the right corner bounced off the rim on the game’s final play. Among players that have played more than 30 games this season, Curry sports a league-high net rating of 23.2, leading his team to a 33-2 record. Festus Ezeli was rested for a second straight game after recovering from a toe injury.
Draymond Green posted his third consecutive triple-double during a 111-101 win over the Hornets on Monday, scoring 13 points with 15 boards, 10 assists, one steal, two blocks and one 3-pointer.
Warriors: Golden State is staying in a luxury coastal resort in Southern California before flying north to visit the Trail Blazers on Friday.
“Mo was great for us”, Walton said. Golden State shot its first free throw of the night 1:10 into the second half.
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After struggling most of the season, Speights has found his stride of late.
