Dub Hub, Daily Warriors Links for 3/23/23: Steve Kerr and Steph Curry react to ‘weird’ play in Warriors win over Mavs

Good Morning Dub Nation,

The Golden State Warriors won their most important game of the regular season on Wednesday night by beating the Dallas Mavericks, 127-125. Not only was it the second time that the Warriors won consecutive road games all season, but the pivotal victory also gave them sole control of the sixth seed in the West and a precious tie breaker over the Mavericks.

Despite the positive outcome, all of the attention after the game centered around a controversial play late in the third quarter where Dallas – not realizing that the Warriors had possession of the ball – had all their players on the wrong side of the floor, resulting in the easiest two points of Kevon Looney’s career.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban did what all fans do when their team suffers from a bad officiating call and immediately went to Twitter to vent his frustrations while also explaining what happened from the Mavericks’ perspective.

Shortly after, the game’s officiating crew gave their side of the story during their nightly Pool Report interview.

Although the Warriors were initially confused by the play, they were all smiles when discussing it during their postgame pressers.

The Mavericks are expected to file a formal protest against the game, however, the chances of it working out are slim as a protest has been successful only six times in NBA history according to ESPN. Draymond Green gets the last laugh as the Warriors officially put this five-game road trip behind them.

Here are the rest of today’s stories:

In case you missed it from Golden State of Mind:

• A deep dive on the play that led to a huge Warriors win over the Mavericks — and how Jonathan Kuminga was crucial in its success
• Player grades: Warriors vs. Mavs
• Mavericks plan to file formal protest of their 127-125 loss to the Warriors
• Warriors spoil Luka Dončić’s return in 127-125 victory over Mavericks
• Steph Curry finds the challenge to finish the season strong both ‘inspiring and depressing’

Other Warriors News:

• Thompson: Vintage Warriors secure a win that just feels different (The Athletic)
• Warriors outlast Mavericks, wrestle away control of sixth seed: 5 observations (The Athletic)
• Mark Cuban to file protest of Mavericks’ loss to Warriors (ESPN)
• Draymond Green displays invaluable greatness in Warriors’ win vs. Mavericks (NBC Sports Bay Area)
• Andrew Wiggins, empathy and social grace (Gaming Society)

NBA News:

• Ja Morant gets his journey to redemption started with victory (NBA)
• Clippers’ Paul George to have knee reevaluated in 2-3 weeks (ESPN)
• Karl-Anthony Towns makes long-awaited return in Wolves’ win (ESPN)
• NBA MVP: How do voters feel about the tone of this year’s debate? Is it too ‘toxic?’ (The Athletic)
• Film Study: Mavs’ Jaden Hardy Continues ‘Outburst’ Progression: ‘He’s Always Ready’ (Sports Illustrated)