Dub Hub, Daily Warriors Links for 2/14/23: Klay Thompson anticipates playing in first back-to-back of the season

Good Morning Dub Nation,

The Golden State Warriors came through with a big victory on Monday night as they beat the Washington Wizards, 135-126. It was the perfect jolt of energy that the team needed to break their two-game losing streak as they prepare for tonight’s final game before the upcoming All-Star Break. The good news is that unlike previous back-to-backs this season, Warriors guard Klay Thompson anticipates being available for Tuesday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers — marking the first time that he will play in both nights of a back-to-back since suffering his leg injuries a couple of years ago.

As for Monday’s game itself, Andrew Wiggins was the star of the night as the team found consistent success by getting him going in the low post. Wiggins was able to feast on a Wizards team deficient in capable wing defenders as he finished the night with 29 points, seven rebounds, and four assists on 12-of-23 shooting from the field. After the game, head coach Steve Kerr referred to Monday’s performance as Wiggins’ “best game” since returning from injury.

Aside from Wiggins, several other Warriors graded out well in what was an overall great team performance. Donte DiVincenzo and JaMychal Green had a hot shooting night as the duo combined to make nine threes on 12 attempts from deep. Two-way player Ty Jerome played like a savvy veteran — controlling the pace of the game, organizing the offense, and scoring the ball when the opportunities were available to him. Golden State’s bench unit was critical to Monday’s victory as DiVincenzo acknowledges they needed to play better after all the noise they heard in the beginning of the season.

The win brings the Warriors back above .500 with a record of 29-28. They currently hold the ninth seed in the Western Conference standings and will hopefully carry some momentum going into the All-Star break after Tuesday night’s game against the Clippers.

Here are the rest of today’s stories:

In case you missed it from Golden State of Mind:

• Head Tap: How the Warriors used old Kevin Durant plays to get Andrew Wiggins going
• Player grades: Warriors vs. Wizards
• Andrew Wiggins, bench lead Warriors to 135-126 victory over Wizards
• Warriors hope Gary Payton II returns before the playoffs
• Warriors are ‘frustrated’ after another close loss brings them back to .500

Other Warriors News:

• Warriors enter month-long survival mode while Steph Curry and Gary Payton II heal (The Athletic)
• Stephen Curry: Return to play for Warriors fluid amid recovery (ESPN)
• Warriors’ buyout market plan will be Steve Kerr-Bob Myers collaboration (NBC Sports Bay Area)
• Steve Kerr was ‘all-in’ on Warriors’ James Wiseman 2020 draft pick (NBC Sports Bay Area)
• Bob Myers on the Gary Payton II, Buyout Market, and Trade Deadline (Youtube)

NBA News:

• CJ McCollum diary: The West is definitely insane. But it’s good for the sport. (Andscape)
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Derrick White named NBA Players of the Week (NBA)
• Paul George advocates for Russell Westbrook joining Clippers: ‘I think he’d come in and mesh’ (The Athletic)
• Kyrie Irving controls the Mavericks’ fate this off-season (SB Nation)
• ESSAY: Is it that bad here? Kyrie Irving, James Harden comments can’t be dismissed (SB Nation)