The Clippers got a boost before opening tip Thursday night when Coach Doc Rivers annoucned Chris Paul would return to the court.
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Down by as much as 23 points to the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night, the Warriors rallied back for an astonishing 124-117 victory before a raucous crowd and a playoff atmosphere at sold-out Staples Center.
Rivers also said that shooting guard J.J. The 1957-58 Boston Celtics hold the best start by a reigning champion with a 14-0 record. The Kings are 0-5 without Cousins this season and 11-38 since he joined the team in 2010.
Stephen Curry, who had 40 points, celebrates with Klay Thompson in the second half of the Warriors’ comeback. Harrison Barnes had 21 points and seven rebounds, Thompson added 25 points and Draymond Green fought through foul trouble to record 19 points, six rebounds and nine assists. Redick was able to get a few shots up during shootaround, but it was going to take more than that for Rivers to give him the green light. They were already playing short-handed in the backcourt as Shaun Livingston missed a second straight game because of a strained hip flexor and Leandro Barbosa had a virus.
The Clippers led 109-99 with 5:54 left, but just as they did earlier this month, they let the lead slip away to the Warriors. From there, Curry hit a 3, Green scored on a cutting layup and then Curry made four straight free throws for a 122-115 advantage. The Warriors’ defense clamped down on the Clippers to seal the win. He had outscored the Warriors, 18-16, when he checked out of the game to “CP3!” chants with 3:53 left in the quarter and the Clippers holding a 30-16 lead.
By the end of the first quarter, the Warriors trailed 41-25 and had given up an average of 34 points in their past three first quarters. He scored 18 points on 7-for-7 shooting and dished out four assists in the first eight minutes.
J.J. Redick, who like Paul was listed as doubtful on the injury report, most likely will not play Thursday because of back spasms, Rivers said.
After trailing by 10 with 5 minutes remaining, Golden State finished 8 for 9 from beyond the arc in the fourth quarter and completed the biggest comeback in the National Basketball Association this season.
The Warriors fell behind by many as 23 points in the second quarter while Paul was resting, but they did get a glimmer of hope.
Golden State cut its deficit to 83-76 late in the third, outscoring Los Angeles 22-11 on a combined 16 points by Curry and Green.
Interim head coach Luke Walton said before the game that Kerr’s presence was welcomed during his leave of absence after two offseason back surgeries.
“Because we want to be great”, said Curry in an interview with USA TODAY.
The last visiting team to win a regular-season game at Oracle Arena was Chicago, a 113-111 overtime victory January 27.
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Thirteen wins with no losses have shown that the Warriors have gears that other teams do not.
