Instant Recap: Warriors top Knicks, 112 - 105

The show must go on. The Warriors hit a losing streak for the first time since LeBron was celebrating on the hardwood of Oracle Arena. Kevin Durant is out of the lineup indefinitely. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson left their jumpers in Oakland.

This grueling road trip has been a crucible for the Warriors. An invigorated Knicks squad scratched and clawed to continue the Warriors’ nightmarish road swing but ultimately fell short, losing to the Warriors 112 - 105.

Curry and Thompson provided the ammunition, hoisting 45 shots for 60 points (and an encouraging 41% shooting from the arc). Draymond Green complemented the Splash Bros’ game with his own Draymond-esque contributions. Patrick McCaw, Andre Iguodala, and Zaza Pachulia rounded out a solid supporting cast for the night.

Steady ball control and rock solid shooting efficiency across the board won the night for the Warriors in a needed victory. Tomorrow sees the road-weary Warriors in Atlanta, to face a feisty Hawks team.

This week features five games in seven days, and approximately 6,500 travel miles in 168 hours. That’s ~930 miles traveled/day. The Warriors have two back-to-backs this week. For reference:

The Spurs’ celebrated “Rodeo Road Trip” is 7,378 miles and lasts 20 days (480 hours). That’s ~370 miles traveled/day. The Spurs had one back-to-back segment over those 20 days, counterbalanced by a nine-day All Star excursion.

With the right group of players and coaches, this type of scheduled adversity and mentally steel a team. The most important Warrior this week is coach Steve Kerr, as he must delicately balance nursing his lead over the “we survived the Rodeo Road Trip” Spurs against keeping his remaining core players rested.

Without Durant, without a cushion in the standings, and temporarily without their spunk, the Warriors have recognized that the Show Must Go On. Keep it rolling into Atlanta.