Golden State Of Mind: All Posts by Brady Klopfer"UNSTOPPABLE BABY!" - Warriors rookie Marc Jackson to the Mavs' bench, after a lay-up during a 29-point loss (2000)https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50563/gsom-fav.png2024-03-27T22:00:22-07:00https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/authors/brady-klopfer/rss2024-03-27T22:00:22-07:002024-03-27T22:00:22-07:00Player grades: Warriors vs. Magic
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<img alt="Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, and Trayce Jackson-Davis celebrating at midcourt with Curry yelling and Thompson jumping." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/AfxCUlQmANnyloMMZTI980iH-k0=/0x0:4592x3061/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73237988/2118542540.0.jpg" />
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<p>Assessing every Golden State player’s performance in the team’s 101-93 win over Orlando. </p> <p id="3pLKrg">The <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com">Golden State Warriors</a> had a fabulous time in Florida. A day after blowing out the Miami Heat, the Warriors had one of their best performances of the season, <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2024/3/27/24114083/warriors-magic-recap-andrew-wiggins-steph-curry-draymond-green">notching a 101-93 win</a> over the Orlando Magic, despite missing their starting front court — one player to injury, and one player to an ejection. </p>
<p id="ax50aT">It was a win to build on, and it was a win to grade. As always, my grades are based on my expectations for each player, with a “B” grade representing the average performance for that player.</p>
<p id="aRcZKL"><em>Note: True-shooting percentage (TS) is a scoring efficiency metric that accounts for threes and free throws. Entering Wednesday’s games, league-average TS was 58.0%. </em></p>
<h3 id="EKzY5A"><strong>Draymond Green</strong></h3>
<p id="OjL7ew"><em>4 minutes, 0 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 1 foul, 0-for-1 shooting, 0-for-1 threes, 0.0% TS, -2</em></p>
<p id="dw4wHV">For the first time since returning from his suspension, Green was ejected. It wasn’t violent or even particularly egregious. But he only made it a few minutes into the game before getting upset enough at a call that he got T’d up. And even as teammates tried to calm him down, he kept talking and talking until he was finally given his second T. </p>
<p id="bYBF0D">I’ll let Steph Curry take it from here: </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Steph Curry on the Draymond Green ejection: “All I’ll say is we need him. He knows that. We all know that. So whatever it takes for him to be on the floor and available, that’s what’s gotta happen.” <a href="https://t.co/kgUhktxLOO">pic.twitter.com/kgUhktxLOO</a></p>— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) <a href="https://twitter.com/anthonyVslater/status/1773173728563679551?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a>
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<p id="GwcKkG">I’ve never hid the fact that I love Draymond Green. And I stand by the fact that he is the team’s second-best — and second-most important — player. And I’ve been so happy seeing how much calmer and happier he seems post-suspension.</p>
<p id="uoNRgB">But he simply cannot do this. He let the team down in a big way on Wednesday. And the fact that they responded with a massive run doesn’t change that. </p>
<p id="yTWB9D"><em><strong>Grade: F</strong></em></p>
<h3 id="JNT9Tc"><strong>Trayce Jackson-Davis</strong></h3>
<p id="fAaQ9V"><em>33 minutes, 8 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 0 turnovers, 1 foul, 4-for-8 shooting, 0-for-1 threes, 50.0% TS, +5</em></p>
<p id="2dAV6I">If you didn’t watch the game and are wondering why TJD shot a three-pointer, it was because the buzzer was about to sound and he was throwing up a hail mary. </p>
<p id="N7dIdy">Jackson-Davis returned from the injury sidelines and stepped right into the starting lineup in place of the injured Jonathan Kuminga. And the fact that he did that, as a rookie, and managed to play 33 minutes without a turnover and with just one foul says quite a lot.</p>
<p id="TcY60n"><em><strong>Grade: A</strong></em><br><em><strong>Post-game bonus: </strong></em>Led the team in rebounds. </p>
<h3 id="m0K5Va"><strong>Andrew Wiggins</strong></h3>
<p id="XEZ6xQ"><em>35 minutes, 23 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, 8-for-17 shooting, 3-for-6 threes, 4-for-5 free throws, 59.9% TS, +12</em></p>
<p id="zK7j5C">The Warriors do not win this game without Wiggins having the fourth quarter that he had. End of story. The Magic saved their best punch for the final frame, and Wiggins danced around it with 13 points, amazing defense, and ferocious rebounding. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">23 points tonight for 2️⃣2️⃣<a href="https://twitter.com/Verizon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Verizon</a> || Reliable Moments <a href="https://t.co/J91JZULCw7">pic.twitter.com/J91JZULCw7</a></p>— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) <a href="https://twitter.com/warriors/status/1773192327726616899?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a>
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<p id="2wbakm">Prior to the fourth quarter it was a so-so game for Wiggins statistically, but he was playing with aggression and urgency and the team is transformed when he does that. If you have any doubt as to how important his performance was, just look at how other people on the team reacted to it.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Steph was hyping up Wiggs after his BIG game ️ <a href="https://t.co/badBtHL8Pc">pic.twitter.com/badBtHL8Pc</a></p>— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSWarriors/status/1773161905332592690?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a>
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<p id="avN4Fq"><em><strong>Grade: A</strong></em><br><em><strong>Post-game bonus: </strong></em>Led the team in points. </p>
<h3 id="gxP7zm"><strong>Steph Curry</strong></h3>
<p id="Jpfvle"><em>35 minutes, 17 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, 6-for-18 shooting, 3-for-8 threes, 2-for-2 free throws, 45.0% TS, +18</em></p>
<p id="iFEmix">It definitely wasn’t Curry’s smoothest game, and you cold see how much frustration had built up when he kicked a few chairs — in frustration-releasing celebration — following his dagger three and signature celebration. But he sure showed up when it counted, and did a wonderful job setting up his teammates.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">STEPH SAYS “NIGHT NIGHT” TO THE MAGIC AFTER DAGGER <a href="https://t.co/a50EojxSlx">pic.twitter.com/a50EojxSlx</a></p>— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSWarriors/status/1773159198442115143?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a>
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<p id="lUdi9T">Orlando sold out to get the ball out of Curry’s hands all night long, and Curry was hindered by not having his go-to release valve in Green. But he still made the most of the situation.</p>
<p id="gNobPW"><em><strong>Grade: B</strong></em><br><em><strong>Post-game bonus: </strong></em>Led the team in assists, best plus/minus on the team.</p>
<h3 id="VbzIcv"><strong>Klay Thompson</strong></h3>
<p id="IU53q1"><em>32 minutes, 15 points, 2 assists, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, 6-for-13 shooting, 3-for-8 threes, 57.7% TS, +5</em></p>
<p id="H9fSqI">A perfectly fine, if not particularly memorable game from Thompson. He seems to be at the point where he’s quite comfortable starting or coming off the bench, and his shot selection is greatly improved over what it was early in the season.</p>
<p id="7KpKmc"><em><strong>Grade: B</strong></em></p>
<h3 id="uXZVOY"><strong>Kevon Looney</strong></h3>
<p id="1gEPIE"><em>15 minutes, 4 points, 7 rebounds, 1 block, 2 fouls, 2-for-2 shooting, 100.0% TS, +3</em></p>
<p id="57C6kf">For the second night in a row, Looney was pressed into action, this time because of Green’s ejection. And my goodness did he quickly remind us that he’s still a very talented and hard-working basketball player.</p>
<p id="yyHuQY">Looney’s lack of minutes say more about the state of the roster than about his abilities. Games like this keep us from taking him for granted; I doubt the Dubs win the game if Looney doesn’t step in. </p>
<p id="OeLdC2"><em><strong>Grade: A-</strong></em></p>
<h3 id="aXrYwd"><strong>Gui Santos</strong></h3>
<p id="gWGT7e"><em>6 minutes, 3 points, 1 foul, 1-for-2 shooting, 1-for-2 threes, 75.0% TS, -16</em></p>
<p id="rzG45z">It was fun seeing Santos get some real minutes. Don’t let the massively-negative plus/minus fool you though, that was mostly just because he was on the court at the wrong time. That said, it did feel like the game was moving a little too quickly for him at times.</p>
<p id="rg4RVV"><em><strong>Grade: C</strong></em><br><em><strong>Post-game bonus: </strong></em>Worst plus/minus on the team.</p>
<h3 id="ltAvvy"><strong>Chris Paul</strong></h3>
<p id="i3krvt"><em>17 minutes, 3 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 turnover, 1-for-5 shooting, 0-for-2 threes, 1-for-2 free throws, 25.5% TS, -6</em></p>
<p id="4ND536">Not the sharpest that CP3 has been, and that’s been the case for a few games lately. But even Paul not at his sharpest is one hell of a bench weapon to have.</p>
<p id="X34PMV"><em><strong>Grade: C</strong></em></p>
<h3 id="wZpaSU"><strong>Gary Payton II</strong></h3>
<p id="M4JTwv"><em>19 minutes, 10 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 3 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover, 1 foul, 5-for-5 shooting, 100.0% TS, +4</em></p>
<p id="qKpsHQ">GPII’s second quarter was was one of the great “doing everything” displays that I’ve seen in a while. He simply did ... well ... everything. It’s amazing how he can go stretches simply enforcing his will in all areas of the game. He had three steals and one block in just 19 minutes, and those numbers don’t do justice to how much he disrupted the game ... nor do the 10 points accurately display how much offense he provided.</p>
<p id="Ei8qYs"><em><strong>Grade: A+</strong></em></p>
<h3 id="7AqgJq"><strong>Moses Moody</strong></h3>
<p id="rpHdIZ"><em>24 minutes, 12 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 turnover, 4 fouls, 4-for-9 shooting, 0-for-4 threes, 4-for-4 free throws, 55.8% TS, +7</em></p>
<p id="ygwADi">Looney got a lot of minutes because of Green’s ejection, but Moody also absorbed a bunch of the available playing time. And he sure made the most of them. Moses has been playing with outstanding urgency lately, and that really showed up on defense and rebounding in this one. Sure, he got a little over-excited and committed a bit of fouls, but you’ll happily live with that. He was busting his butt out there, and made a whole bunch of good things happen.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Putback power<br><br> <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSAuthentic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBCSAuthentic</a> <a href="https://t.co/qJ005qFb6s">pic.twitter.com/qJ005qFb6s</a></p>— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) <a href="https://twitter.com/warriors/status/1773155232945520871?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a>
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<p id="RHGNLS"><em><strong>Grade: A-</strong></em></p>
<h3 id="bvzZow"><strong>Brandin Podziemski</strong></h3>
<p id="fO3x4v"><em>21 minutes, 6 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 fouls, 3-for-10 shooting, 0-for-2 threes, 30.0% TS, +10</em></p>
<p id="ic5lRp">Brandin Podziemski is one of the best rebounding guards I have seen in my life. And it was crucial in a game like this, where Golden State out-rebounded a larger and more athletic team 52-39. </p>
<p id="mi234t">Still a little bit of a rookie wall with offense, but Podz is putting on a show on the glass, while also hustling like all heck on defense.</p>
<p id="bAYT5I"><em><strong>Grade: B+</strong></em></p>
<p id="5WtaAJ"><em><strong>Wednesday’s DNP-CDs: </strong></em>Lester Quiñones, Jerome Robinson, Dario Šarić</p>
<p id="6Jmclx"><em><strong>Wednesday’s inactives: </strong></em>Usman Garuba, Jonathan Kuminga, Pat Spencer</p>
https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2024/3/27/24114208/warriors-magic-grades-andrew-wiggins-steph-curry-draymond-greenBrady Klopfer2024-03-27T18:42:32-07:002024-03-27T18:42:32-07:00Down two starters, Warriors grind out a huge win over Magic
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<img alt="Andrew Wiggins watching a Magic player hold the basketball." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/pjfd7RG0lz8i4cHySraSPwp0mAc=/0x0:3712x2475/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73237737/2110567546.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Florida sweep! </p> <p id="o15lJ7">Things can change quickly in a few days. When the <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com">Golden State Warriors</a> headed to Florida for an absolutely brutal back-to-back, they were free-falling, while the <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com">Houston Rockets</a> were hot on their trail. The Dubs needed to salvage at least one win, but even that seemed like a very tall task.</p>
<p id="Ieg47W">Instead, they won both games. After beating up on a depleted Miami Heat squad in <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2024/3/26/24113022/warriors-heat-recap-steph-curry-klay-thompson">a 113-92 victory on Tuesday</a>, the Dubs took on a full-strength Orlando Magic team on Wednesday, and walked away with a 101-93 victory.</p>
<p id="gizdSI">It was one of their most important victories of the year, and one of their most impressive.</p>
<p id="83xw8h">The Warriors were behind the eight-ball when the game started, with Jonathan Kuminga ruled out due to a minor injury. He’s critical in the matchup, so it was a tough blow; but Trayce Jackson-Davis returned from an injury absence of his own, and slotted into the starting five. </p>
<p id="o5nY4T">And then, just a few minutes into the game, the Warriors lost a second critical member of their starting lineup, when Draymond Green was ejected. It wasn’t a dirty play this time, but rather Green unable to stop arguing with the refs, even when given a fairly large leash. And so he was given two techs and sent packing. </p>
<p id="a8yGVh">Suddenly the Warriors not only were on the road, on the back end of a back-to-back, and playing a very good and energized team, but they were down their two starting bigs.</p>
<p id="Evfz35">Yet Green’s absence seemed to invigorate the Dubs, especially on defense. After the free throws that the Magic were awarded for Green’s technicals were made, the Warriors trailed 8-6. And then they went on a 21-2 run, fueled by phenomenal defense and some strong play off the bench from Brandin Podziemski.</p>
<p id="zXjGoB">Despite Green and Kuminga’s absence, and despite zero points from Steph Curry, the Dubs led 27-11 after the first quarter. </p>
<p id="bsK61w">But no lead is safe in the NBA. If you blinked to start the second quarter you missed a quartet of Magic threes, and suddenly it was a six-point game, with Steve Kerr calling an early time out. But again the defense locked in, and Gary Payton II seemed to do everything that you can possibly do on a basketball court, as the Dubs pushed the lead back to 14 points. Orlando closed with a few strong plays, but the Warriors still led 45-37 at halftime, despite just six points from Curry and a collective 2-for-16 performance from deep.</p>
<p id="2mYFn0">The Warriors started the third quarter strong, but then things turned against them. Holding a 13-point lead, Curry was fouled and sent to the line; but the Magic challenged the call and won. A chance to go up 15 was replaced by an 11-2 Orlando run. The Warrior stabilized and the teams went back and forth, but the momentum was shifting. The Warriors led 72-66 after three quarters, but you weren’t comfortable at all.</p>
<p id="pw5KW1">And then Andrew Wiggins happened. </p>
<p id="8ArSHy">Wiggins made a three on the first possession of the game. The Magic countered with a three of their own, then Wiggins added another. The Magic rallied and cut the lead to four, then Wiggins scored again. In all he totaled 13 points in the frame, each bucket bigger than the one before. </p>
<p id="vfFTnD">But the Magic were fighting like hell, even though the Warriors were playing good defense. A 7-0 Orlando run made it a one-point game with about two-and-a-half minutes left. Orlando had the ball with a chance for their first lead since 2-0, but the Warriors defense was fully locked in. They forced a 24-second violation, then found Payton for an easy two on the other end. They had another stop, then Curry weaved his way in for a layup to go up five with 1:09 remaining.</p>
<p id="w0KV8G">With the game ripe for the picking, the Warriors got one more stop and then Curry — struggling with his three all night — made a vintage step-back three, and hit the Orlando crowd with his patented “night night” celebration.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">STEPH SAYS “NIGHT NIGHT” TO THE MAGIC AFTER DAGGER <a href="https://t.co/a50EojxSlx">pic.twitter.com/a50EojxSlx</a></p>— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSWarriors/status/1773159198442115143?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a>
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<p id="H7LOsF">Night night, indeed. And one helluva trip to Florida.</p>
<p id="daNNBU">Wiggins finished with a team-high 23 points in a sensational performance that was very much noticed by his teammates and coaches.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Steph was hyping up Wiggs after his BIG game ️ <a href="https://t.co/badBtHL8Pc">pic.twitter.com/badBtHL8Pc</a></p>— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSWarriors/status/1773161905332592690?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a>
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<p id="9Fk3SL">Curry added 17 points with 10 assists and Klay Thompson 15 points. Payton, Podziemski, and Moses Moody were absolutely brilliant off the bench, and the Warriors outrebounded the Magic 52-39.</p>
<p id="BnNCtb">The Dubs now get a day off, before heading to Curry’s hometown to visit the Charlotte Hornets on Friday at 4:00 p.m. PT. </p>
https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2024/3/27/24114083/warriors-magic-recap-andrew-wiggins-steph-curry-draymond-greenBrady Klopfer2024-03-27T17:45:25-07:002024-03-27T17:45:25-07:00GSOM Reacts: How far will the Warriors go?
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<img alt="Steve Kerr stacking his hands on top of each other while calling a play. " src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/FOdMCxrwvmrpos6crXSuP55gjxw=/0x0:3995x2663/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73237694/2090247189.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>A depressing question that needs your answers.</p> <p id="EhcOWW"><em>Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in </em><a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com"><em>Golden State Warriors</em></a><em> fans and fans across the country. </em><a href="https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/8SCRL8/"><em>Sign up here</em></a><em> to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.</em></p>
<p id="ZH2Ixm">The 2024 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nba-playoffs">NBA Playoffs</a> are right around the corner, and it’s safe to say that the Golden State Warriors are not where they intended to be. </p>
<p id="rg8c0N">It’s not all bad though. While it’s been a disappointing season without a doubt, the Dubs are currently holding onto a spot in the Play-In Tournament. Even if they just sneak in as the No. 10 seed — where they currently are — they’ll be just two wins away from the honest to goodness playoffs. And while they’ve frustrated us all year long, they’re capable of playing elite basketball on any given night. </p>
<p id="C7m5tE">So what will it be, Dub Nation? Do the Warriors make the Play-In Tournament, win some games, and advance to the actual playoffs? Do they make the Play-In Tournament and swiftly get eliminated? Or do the <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com">Houston Rockets</a>, <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2024/3/25/24112144/warriors-rockets-standings-western-conference">hot on Golden State’s tail</a>, leapfrog them in the standings, keeping the Warriors from playing any games after the regular season concludes?</p>
<p id="dBmCA3">Let us know your predictions! </p>
<div id="gszgT0"><iframe id="ss-embed-frame" onload="window.parent.parent.scrollTo(0,0)" src="https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/YDQM53/" style="width:100%;height:400px;border:0px;padding-bottom:4px;" frameborder="0"><a href="https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/YDQM53/">Please take our survey</a></iframe></div>
https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2024/3/27/24113545/warriors-survey-playoffs-play-in-tournamentBrady Klopfer2024-03-27T14:35:55-07:002024-03-27T14:35:55-07:00Warriors vs. Magic injury report
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<img alt="Jonathan Kuminga warming up in a t-shirt." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/HBCMMD6mvLqrQtbngclm2PAcQ3o=/0x0:5568x3712/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73237397/2097718390.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Warriors could be without two key contributors. </p> <p id="BJiudW">After <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2024/3/26/24113022/warriors-heat-recap-steph-curry-klay-thompson">an impressive 21-point victory</a> over the Miami Heat on Tuesday night, the <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com">Golden State Warriors</a> will look for <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2024/3/27/24113308/nba-2024-preview-golden-state-warriors-vs-orlando-magic-stephen-curry-paolo-banchero-klay-thompson">their second Floridian win</a> in as many days tonight when they take on the Orlando Magic team. </p>
<p id="aISgKt">It won’t be easy. Part of what makes the Magic so good is their youth and athleticism, and two Warriors players who embody that are question marks for tonight’s game.</p>
<p id="r9bXwM">Here’s the full injury report.</p>
<h3 id="F2fNKW"><strong>Warriors</strong></h3>
<p id="uZhZYS"><em><strong>Questionable </strong></em><strong>— Jonathan Kuminga (left knee soreness)</strong></p>
<p id="np7JJ0">Kuminga had a sensational game on Tuesday, but it seems to have come at a little bit of a cost. Here’s hoping he’s able to play, as he’s one of the Warriors best players right now.</p>
<p id="Oz3TH7"><em><strong>Questionable </strong></em><strong>— Trayce Jackson-Davis (right knee soreness)</strong></p>
<p id="a7tVn5">TJD missed Tuesday’s win, and the Warriors are hoping he doesn’t miss another game tonight. I wouldn’t bank on him returning, but he’s not expected to be out long.</p>
<h3 id="h0Jovn"><strong>Magic</strong></h3>
<p id="Q9YCwm"><em><strong>Out </strong></em><strong>— Gary Harris (right plantar fascia strain)</strong></p>
<p id="y7CSXI">Harris has been a solid role player for Orlando this year, providing veteran leadership and experience with a dose of scoring off the bench. He’s been sidelined for about a week though, and while he was initially questionable for this game, he’s now out.</p>
<p id="XNheUv"><em><strong>Questionable </strong></em><strong>— Caleb Houstan (left ankle sprain)</strong></p>
<p id="Ge0ZcO">Houstan was the No. 32 pick in the 2022 draft, and has been a solid contributor in his second season. He’s only averaging 14 minutes a game, but he’s appeared in 54 games and even grabbed 11 starts. (<strong>Update: Houston has now been ruled available for this game)</strong></p>
<p id="8NmLc0">Enjoy the action, Dub Nation!</p>
https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2024/3/27/24113978/warriors-magic-injury-report-jonathan-kuminga-trayce-jackson-davisBrady Klopfer2024-03-26T21:08:25-07:002024-03-26T21:08:25-07:00Player grades: Warriors vs. Heat
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<img alt="Klay Thompson shooting a layup as Jaime Jaquez Jr. contests. " src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8bWpVlROKh9JxIvYnuBAC1Q7R50=/0x0:3483x2322/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73235491/usa_today_22874320.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Assessing every Golden State player’s performance in the team’s 113-92 win over Miami.</p> <p id="GfzoEn">The <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com">Golden State Warriors</a> got <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2024/3/26/24113022/warriors-heat-recap-steph-curry-klay-thompson">a very much-needed victory</a> on Tuesday night, marching into South Beach and demolishing a banged-up Miami Heat team, using a dominant second half to win 113-92. With how perilous their standing is in the West right now, it was an absolutely critical game for the Dubs to win.</p>
<p id="geIG8h">So let’s grade the players who got it done. As always, grades are based on my expectations of each player, with a “B” grade representing the average performance for that player.</p>
<p id="UUpn7S"><em>Note: True-shooting percentage (TS) is a scoring efficiency metric that accounts for threes and free throws. Entering Tuesday’s games, league-average TS was 58.1%. </em></p>
<h3 id="i5RqhL"><strong>Draymond Green</strong></h3>
<p id="984Gv7"><em>28 minutes, 4 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover, 5 fouls, 2-for-5 shooting, 0-for-1 threes, 40.0% TS, +9</em></p>
<p id="TUwY4c">This was an absolute defensive masterclass by Draymond. Sure, the Heat were compromised, but it at times felt like Green was single-handedly keeping them from finding any offensive rhythm. He made life difficult for Bam Adebayo all night long, and conducted the Warriors defense — and often their offense — seamlessly. </p>
<p id="jCtp6b">He had too many fouls and didn’t provide much in the way of scoring. But a very solid night.</p>
<p id="l1Hq3x"><em><strong>Grade: A-</strong></em><br><em><strong>Post-game bonus: </strong></em>Led the team in rebounds and assists.</p>
<h3 id="JRYYtJ"><strong>Jonathan Kuminga</strong></h3>
<p id="OsDyPW"><em>32 minutes, 18 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, 8-for-13 shooting, 0-for-2 threes, 2-for-3 free throws, 62.8% TS, +21</em></p>
<p id="YawTXa">The Warriors were without Trayce Jackson-Davis in this game, but Kuminga made sure that there was no absence playing above the rim. From lobs to put-back dunks, JK was simply playing at a different altitude than everyone else in the arena.</p>
<p id="YTbspe">I mean, just look at these plays:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">JK can't stop putting down lobs ♂️ <a href="https://t.co/ORj1QtAgdA">pic.twitter.com/ORj1QtAgdA</a></p>— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSWarriors/status/1772801676514361388?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2024</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">HOLY JK PUT-BACK <a href="https://t.co/8u60hcGeWW">pic.twitter.com/8u60hcGeWW</a></p>— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSWarriors/status/1772796078301303228?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2024</a>
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<p id="pOb10u">It’s such a vital element for the Warriors. And it was such a complete game for the star-in-the-making.</p>
<p id="fDp6mB"><em><strong>Grade: A</strong></em></p>
<h3 id="uN68IJ"><strong>Andrew Wiggins</strong></h3>
<p id="dmuED6"><em>31 minutes, 17 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, 1 turnover, 1 foul, 7-for-12 shooting, 1-for-5 threes, 2-for-2 free throws, 66.0% TS, +17</em></p>
<p id="mwfIHM">Let’s start with this: the Warriors will take 17 and 7 from Wiggins eight days a week. Eight days a week! It’s everything they want from Wiggs. </p>
<p id="VX6q4K">But more importantly: the Warriors will take Wiggins playing with urgency eight days a week. Maybe nine days a week.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Wiggs drops in the trey <a href="https://t.co/47bRqRtpRJ">pic.twitter.com/47bRqRtpRJ</a></p>— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSWarriors/status/1772775120056230219?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2024</a>
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<p id="di5k38">Urgency is the best word to describe how Wiggins played on Tuesday. It’s how he defended, it’s how he rebounded, and it’s how he looked for buckets. </p>
<p id="4bn8bm">And what a difference it made.</p>
<p id="9KLDfF"><em><strong>Grade: A</strong></em></p>
<h3 id="sUfubt"><strong>Steph Curry</strong></h3>
<p id="RNjBEq"><em>31 minutes, 17 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 turnover, 1 foul, 7-for-15 shooting, 3-for-10 threes, 56.7% TS, +19</em></p>
<p id="ikSbe5">Just a calm, collected, and measured game from Curry. He was on cruise control while his teammates took over, and then when the moment was right, he’d jump in with a dagger. He played the old school point guard role in this one, directing the offense, divvying out shot opportunities, and taking care of the ball. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">LOGO STEPH <a href="https://t.co/pRD6pJod4D">pic.twitter.com/pRD6pJod4D</a></p>— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSWarriors/status/1772791491989295403?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2024</a>
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<p id="2tNgeN">It wasn’t a superstar performance, but it was as solid as they come.</p>
<p id="Pkdbqp"><em><strong>Grade: B</strong></em></p>
<h3 id="sotjzT"><strong>Klay Thompson</strong></h3>
<p id="tX9i77"><em>31 minutes, 28 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 1 turnover, 1 foul, 11-for-20 shooting, 6-for-14 threes, 70.0% TS, +25</em></p>
<p id="4CEZhk">Klay returned to the starting lineup in this game and didn’t miss a beat. He was the team’s top offensive option throughout the night, and played with extra doses of energy as he sprung free off screens for open looks.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Klay cookin' in Miami:<br><br> 12 PTS<br> 2-4 3PT <a href="https://t.co/hHXqz77M6S">pic.twitter.com/hHXqz77M6S</a></p>— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSWarriors/status/1772780414148751558?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2024</a>
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<p id="6u97OS">He was highly efficient, though truthfully the numbers underscore his efficiency — it felt like a lot of his misses were forced shots at the end of the shot clock, or to get a two-for-one opportunity. </p>
<p id="0zHmMp">It was also a strong all-around game for Klay, who did more than just score the ball. When he and Wiggins play at this level, the Warriors are very hard to beat.</p>
<p id="lLLPCf"><em><strong>Grade: A+</strong></em><br><em><strong>Post-game bonus: </strong></em>Led the team in points, best plus/minus on the team.</p>
<h3 id="SvlBfw"><strong>Kevon Looney</strong></h3>
<p id="3uumBK"><em>19 minutes, 7 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 fouls, 3-for-5 shooting, 1-for-2 free throws, 59.5% TS, +7</em></p>
<p id="azYd2d">Looney has been fully out of the rotation for a little while now, but with Jackson-Davis’ absence, Golden State had to turn towards their trusty veteran center. If there’s one thing Looney consistently does, it’s stay ready whenever the team calls on him. And that’s what he did. His defense and rebounding were absolutely critical in this game, especially in the second half.</p>
<p id="akZrCC"><em><strong>Grade: A</strong></em></p>
<h3 id="wlEZ6L"><strong>Gui Santos</strong></h3>
<p id="AWnDIm"><em>1 minute, 2 points, 1-for-1 shooting, 100.0% TS, +5</em></p>
<p id="DerqIB">Always love Santos minutes. And always love positive garbage-time minutes.</p>
<p id="N9Gjlp"><em><strong>Grade: Incomplete</strong></em></p>
<h3 id="HLXV1i"><strong>Chris Paul</strong></h3>
<p id="Q1GCo0"><em>23 minutes, 0 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, 0-for-2 shooting, 0-for-1 threes, 0.0% TS, +1</em></p>
<p id="hfNEP2">Paul had a really rough first half, as he was unable to get anything going on offense and had one of his worst bouts of turning the ball over that we’ve seen since he was traded to the Dubs. But for as bad as his first half was, his second half was good enough to negate it. He started setting everybody up, and running the offense like an All-Pro quarterback.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">CP3 outlet ➡️ Dray transition finish <a href="https://t.co/5S3mYq5Ifj">pic.twitter.com/5S3mYq5Ifj</a></p>— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSWarriors/status/1772798272316600585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2024</a>
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<p id="GMCq9y">Hard to overlook the bad first half in the grades department, though.</p>
<p id="1e6ntE"><em><strong>Grade: C</strong></em></p>
<h3 id="FUPcmc"><strong>Gary Payton II</strong></h3>
<p id="Lf8S69"><em>13 minutes, 2 points, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 foul, 1-for-3 shooting, 33.3% TS, -3</em></p>
<p id="sQguLF">Not a very noteworthy game for GPII. Not a bad one, per se, but just not a noteworthy one. His energy sure is critical when the team is slumping though, that’s for sure.</p>
<p id="9om2wh"><em><strong>Grade: C+</strong></em></p>
<h3 id="0JsDwi"><strong>Jerome Robinson</strong></h3>
<p id="1dCJX1"><em>1 minute, 3 points, 1 foul, 1-for-1 shooting, 1-for-1 threes, 150.0% TS, +5</em></p>
<p id="dvgcmy">I love when people playing garbage time score points. It makes me happy.</p>
<p id="IUKG2A"><em><strong>Grade: Incomplete</strong></em></p>
<h3 id="7oTtZ9"><strong>Moses Moody</strong></h3>
<p id="6pVD8F"><em>6 minutes, 9 points, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 1 foul, 3-for-3 shooting, 2-for-2 threes, 1-for-2 free throws, 116.0% TS, -3</em></p>
<p id="gb5wSB">Moody has been struggling with his shot a little bit lately, but not in this game! He was automatic. His minutes are still sparse, but he makes the most of them, and really found a way to impact this game in a short amount of time.</p>
<div id="6vxRcd">
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<p lang="und" dir="ltr">M dy<br><br> <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSAuthentic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBCSAuthentic</a> <a href="https://t.co/Q9LqN1B1Bx">pic.twitter.com/Q9LqN1B1Bx</a></p>— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) <a href="https://twitter.com/warriors/status/1772783787342233742?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2024</a>
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<p id="CqozSV"><em><strong>Grade: A</strong></em></p>
<h3 id="5Zr7Iu"><strong>Lester Quiñones</strong></h3>
<p id="YIhZ2C"><em>1 minute, 0 points, +5</em></p>
<p id="6DlRRF">Again: positive garbage-time is a very welcome sight!</p>
<p id="887nPu"><em><strong>Grade: Incomplete</strong></em></p>
<h3 id="RtmslY"><strong>Brandin Podziemski</strong></h3>
<p id="mIn3xX"><em>22 minutes, 6 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 foul, 3-for-5 shooting, 0-for-2 threes, 0-for-1 free throws, 55.1% TS, -4</em></p>
<p id="dAIVDt">Podziemski got moved back to the bench for this gam, and his results were mixed. His offense continues to be glued to the rookie wall, but the way he competes, gobbles up rebounds, and sets up his teammates is awesome to watch. </p>
<p id="6y1zlB">Is it too early to start predicting huge things for him in Year 2? </p>
<p id="OZXaV6"><em><strong>Grade: B-</strong></em><br><em><strong>Post-game bonus: </strong></em>Worst plus/minus on the team.</p>
<p id="43wHk6"><em><strong>Tuesday’s DNP-CDs: </strong></em>Dario Šarić</p>
<p id="fReeoo"><em><strong>Tuesday’s inactives: </strong></em>Usman Garuba, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Pat Spencer</p>
https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2024/3/26/24113023/warriors-heat-grades-steph-curry-klay-thompson-jonathan-kumingaBrady Klopfer2024-03-26T19:01:01-07:002024-03-26T19:01:01-07:00Warriors dominate, grab a critical win in Miami
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<img alt="Jonathan Kuminga driving by a Heat defender with his left hand. " src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ucIjt54ZBjffQaHcoa30Z0qeZ58=/0x0:4986x3324/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73235377/2107862159.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>That was a nice change of pace.</p> <p id="qfDJSC">With their grasp on a play-in tournament spot starting to slip, the <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com">Golden State Warriors</a> headed to South Beach in dire need of a win. In such dire need that our own Daniel Hardee labeled it a “must win game” <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2024/3/26/24112965/nba-2024-preview-golden-state-warriors-vs-miami-heat-stephen-curry-jimmy-butler-chris-paul">in his preview</a>. </p>
<p id="jmHHXa">The Warriors were dealt a favorable hand before the game began, when Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler was ruled out due to an illness. But that wasn’t the only personnel change: perhaps sensing a little bit of desperation, Steve Kerr re-inserted Klay Thompson into the starting lineup, where he displaced rookie Brandin Podziemski.</p>
<p id="LNMt2o">Everything ended up working out brilliantly, though it took a little while to get going. A parade of fouls from both teams, and a review had the game moving slowly and in an ugly fashion early. It took a while for either team to find offense, and while I’m not sure what Golden State’s excuse was, I certainly know what Miami’s was: Draymond Green, who put on a defensive clinic. Eventually the Warriors offense followed, and they led 18-10 halfway through the quarter.</p>
<p id="J4CpaS">But things got sloppy when the benches entered the game, and Miami erased the lead in a hurry. The Heat, as they often do, took immaculate care of the ball: after the first quarter the Warriors had committed five turnovers and forced none, and they trailed 26-24.</p>
<p id="9sW8NT">The teams played tug of war in the second quarter, with neither team able to take full control. The Warriors bench again struggled, with Chris Paul having some uncharacteristic turnover issues. But defense and critical shot-making kept the Warriors in it. As the teams went to the locker rooms, it was anyone’s game, with Miami clinging to a 55-53 lead.</p>
<p id="P784RS">And then the third quarter Warriors showed up and the game was never the same. Thompson, who provided clutch buckets all night long, started the half with a three, and within a few minutes the Warriors led by seven points. There was a sense that the Warriors were finally playing with urgency. You could see watching Green, Thompson, and Steph Curry, that they were not going to let the team lose this game. Energy from Jonathan Kuminga and Andrew Wiggins backed up that attitude. The Heat had no intention of going away, but every run they made was met by one from the Warriors. </p>
<p id="2Y23Fy">The Dubs stretched the lead to 13 points late in the quarter on a nice sequence featuring a Kevon Looney layup and then a Thompson three, and they took a 10-point lead into the fourth quarter.</p>
<p id="hFCTaP">That’s the time where we all hold our breath with the Warriors this season, but there would be no drama. Miami fought hard and the game got gritty, with hard fouls, players angry at the refs, and lots of emotion. But the Warriors never broke, and when Curry made a stepback three to make it a 12-point lead with about seven minutes left, it really felt like the Warriors had it in the bag.</p>
<p id="xMvLXd">They did. That turned out to be near the beginning of a stretch in which the Warriors would hold the Heat scoreless for nearly seven minutes, during which time Golden State thoroughly put the game away. They outscored Miami 60-37 in the second half en route to a 113-92 victory.</p>
<p id="9EjEgs">That has to feel good.</p>
<p id="SuE0Po">It was a complete performance by the starters. Thompson led the team with 28 points on 11-for-20 shooting, while Kuminga dropped in 18 points (with 7 rebounds), Wiggins 17 points (with 7 rebounds), and Curry 17 points (with 6 assists). Green had 9 rebounds and 8 assists to go with his phenomenal defense. </p>
<p id="SvLNBN">The Warriors have limited time to savor the victory, as they’re back in action on Wednesday, visiting the very tough Orlando Magic at 4:00 p.m. PT. A win would give the Dubs a very impressive romp through Florida, and a much-needed boost in the standings with the <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com">Houston Rockets</a> <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2024/3/25/24112144/warriors-rockets-standings-western-conference">making a run behind them</a>. </p>
https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2024/3/26/24113022/warriors-heat-recap-steph-curry-klay-thompsonBrady Klopfer2024-03-26T13:31:03-07:002024-03-26T13:31:03-07:00Warriors vs. Heat injury report
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<img alt="Duncan Robinson holding the ball, defended by Trayce Jackson-Davis." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/RPsXpQqUX8Bz521eezBnlutc6o0=/0x0:3203x2135/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73234796/1891155799.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Golden State has one name on the injury report, while Miami has a lot. </p> <p id="v5zlB9">The <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com">Golden State Warriors</a> are headed to Florida for a brutal road back-to-back. Following <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2024/3/24/24111088/warriors-timberwolves-114-110-steph-curry-film-breakdown">a disappointing Sunday loss</a> to the <a href="https://www.canishoopus.com">Minnesota Timberwolves</a> — and with the <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com">Houston Rockets</a> <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2024/3/25/24112144/warriors-rockets-standings-western-conference">breathing down their necks</a> — the Dubs are in dire need of a victory. It won’t be easy to find one tonight, though, as they take on the ultra-talented Miami Heat.</p>
<p id="CwpkyL">Thankfully for the Warriors, they’re a bit healthier than the Heat. Here’s the full injury report for tonight’s game. </p>
<h3 id="CUgq0X"><strong>Warriors</strong></h3>
<p id="74ntMz"><em><strong>Questionable </strong></em><strong>— Trayce Jackson-Davis (right knee soreness)</strong></p>
<p id="vAKNNm">TJD popped up on <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2024/3/25/24112025/warriors-trayce-jackson-davis-questionable-vs-miami-heat">the injury report on Monday</a>. He’s not only been the team’s best traditional big man, but the only one that Steve Kerr has felt comfortable playing, with Kevon Looney and Dario Šarić finding homes on the bench. Hopefully Jackson-Davis is good to go.</p>
<h3 id="qT4JUx"><strong>Heat</strong></h3>
<p id="a7id1X"><em><strong>Out </strong></em><strong>— Tyler Herro (right foot medial tendinitis) </strong></p>
<p id="RAn6IF">Herro is averaging career highs with 20.8 points, 4.4 assists, and a 39.9% mark from downtown. Unfortunately, he’s been sidelined for over a month now.</p>
<p id="bbCkMu"><em><strong>Out </strong></em><strong>— Duncan Robinson (left facet syndrome)</strong></p>
<p id="Pano3v">I learn about so many injuries I’ve never heard of from reading these reports. Apparently facet syndrome has something to do with the back. Heal up, Duncan.</p>
<p id="tojjim"><em><strong>Out </strong></em><strong>— Josh Richardson (right shoulder surgery)</strong></p>
<p id="kWVa2E">Richardson suffered a season-ending injury in February, which was a bummer to see. He’d carved out a nice role in a return stint with Miami.</p>
<p id="nJlzLH"><em><strong>Questionable </strong></em><strong>— Jaime Jaquez Jr. (left ankle discomfort)</strong></p>
<p id="AU1KyS">Jaquez was taken with the No. 18 pick in June’s draft. Brandin Podziemski was taken with the No. 19 pick. Thoughts and prayers with the <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com">Lakers</a> for taking Jalen Hood-Schifino right before those two. </p>
<p id="0vdgJn"><em><strong>Questionable </strong></em><strong>— Kevin Love (right heel bruise)</strong></p>
<p id="6cBAOP">Love has been a steady presence in his second year with the Heat, and has brought a lot of veteran leadership, rebounding, and three-point shooting off the bench. He’s also been sidelined for the last month, so this might be his return game.</p>
<p id="vhBlxz"><em><strong>Questionable </strong></em><strong>— Caleb Martin (right ankle discomfort)</strong></p>
<p id="B4CaVK">Unlike most of the players on Miami’s injury report, Martin hasn’t been out a long time. Martin, who is averaging a career-high 10.3 points per game, played on Sunday.</p>
<p id="g5xEYd"><em><strong>Probable </strong></em><strong>— Jimmy Butler (illness)</strong></p>
<p id="yPJg4j">Butler may have been snubbed from the All-Star Game, but he is once again having a fantastic season. He’s averaging 21.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game, while shooting 41.5% on threes. Needless to say, his availability changes the game quite a bit.</p>
<p id="T3j9oE">Enjoy the action, Dub Nation!</p>
<p id="1H9VKq"></p>
<p id="BElGD2"></p>
https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2024/3/26/24112858/warriors-heat-injuries-trayce-jackson-davis-bam-adebayo-jimmy-butlerBrady Klopfer2024-03-25T19:58:41-07:002024-03-25T19:58:41-07:00Watch out, here come the Rockets!
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<img alt="Andrew Wiggins shooting a layup while Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun try to block it. " src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ia440r87JTRdq1SyrxQfLbrtsdk=/0x0:3555x2370/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73232902/1918748058.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jane Tyska/Digital First Media/East Bay Times via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Uh-oh. </p> <p id="1hxGBq">Just 10 days ago, <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2024/3/15/24102345/warriors-nba-western-conference-standings-lakers-kings-mavs">I took a look</a> at where the <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com">Golden State Warriors</a> stood in the Western Conference standings. At the time, the Dubs occupied the 10th seed — the final spot in the play-in tournament. But they were 3.5 games ahead of the first team out — the <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com">Houston Rockets</a>. </p>
<p id="h78VkH">The Rockets had slid to 31-35, and I wrote this about them: </p>
<blockquote><p id="epcGeY">Watch out for Houston next year. They could be very good! Until then, the Dubs will try and use them for an April win after the Rockets have likely turned the page to next year.</p></blockquote>
<p id="hQUhnH">Oh, silly, stupid me. </p>
<p id="qp0lZI">I hadn’t put any stock into the four-game winning streak the Rockets were on when I wrote that. I thought they were just being cute.</p>
<p id="aSq6d7">Since then, they’ve gone on a five-game winning streak. You can do the math on that one: they’re now on an nine-game winning streak, and while the competition has been less-than-stellar, their average margin of victory on the winning streak is 15 points.</p>
<p id="iH6p5a">They’ve slipped above .500, sitting at 36-35. The Warriors? 36-34.</p>
<p id="aCDzuP">Uh-oh. </p>
<p id="CMUB1s">The lone good news here is that the Warriors have won both games against Houston, with just one remaining, meaning they’re guaranteed to have the tiebreaker. But if the teams continue on their current trajectories — the Rockets have won 11 of their last 12 games, while the Dubs have lost seven of their last 11 — even that might not matter.</p>
<p id="DsXBfW">Golden State is still the favorite to make the play-in — they have pole position, veteran experience, and a superstar on their side — but suddenly there’s a team breathing right down their neck. And when that happens, you don’t have the margin for error to screw around and lose close games — <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2024/3/24/24111088/warriors-timberwolves-114-110-steph-curry-film-breakdown">as they did on Sunday</a>. </p>
https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2024/3/25/24112144/warriors-rockets-standings-western-conferenceBrady Klopfer2024-03-22T23:09:51-07:002024-03-22T23:09:51-07:00Player grades: Warriors vs. Pacers
<figure>
<img alt="Steph Curry leaping forward, attempting a layup, while Myles Turner chases him from behind. " src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/LDDBWjqN6kxE4XBbvZAjMIMisFI=/0x0:3876x2584/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73227571/2105600575.5.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Assessing every Golden State player’s performance from the team’s 123-111 loss to Indiana.</p> <p id="beDfPt">The <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com">Golden State Warriors</a> suffered a tough setback on Friday night, losing at home to the Indiana Pacers. While the Dubs looked ready to run away with the game in the second quarter, the Pacers went on a mad dash to end the frame, and carried it over into the third quarter. A fourth-quarter push by the Warriors never got close enough, and <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2024/3/22/24109369/steph-curry-draymond-green-warriors-squander-lead-loss-pascal-siakam-tyrese-haliburton">they lost 123-111</a>.</p>
<p id="gZVXb3">You have better things to do with your Friday night or Saturday morning than read more about this game, but give you grades I must. So here they are. As always, grades are based on my expectations for each player, with a “B” grade representing the average performance for that player.</p>
<p id="4MyAQp"><em>Note: True-shooting percentage (TS) is a scoring efficiency metric that accounts for threes and free throws. Entering Friday’s games, league-average TS was 58.1%. </em></p>
<h3 id="iEV1DK"><strong>Draymond Green</strong></h3>
<p id="291D1t"><em>33 minutes, 11 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, 4-for-10 shooting, 0-for-1 threes, 3-for-4 free throws, 46.8% TS, +4</em></p>
<p id="fgXAuz">The Warriors don’t deserve a lot of credit in this game, but I think Draymond does. He did a highly-admirable job guarding a very good — and significantly larger — center in Myles Turner. He nearly matched Turner in rebounds, and held Indy’s center to 5-for-15 shooting (Turner still had a good game due to his defensive impact, but that’s not Draymond’s fault!). </p>
<p id="8YxI2Z">Furthermore, with the game slipping away in the second half and the team combining poor decisions with inexplicably-absent effort, Green seemed to be the lone veteran still giving it his all. Even with a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter, he was busting his butt down the court for transition opportunities, and flying around on defense. </p>
<p id="kCoW5B"><em><strong>Grade: A-</strong></em></p>
<h3 id="zHCxS6"><strong>Jonathan Kuminga</strong></h3>
<p id="dAhQrn"><em>30 minutes, 11 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, 4-for-17 shooting, 0-for-3 threes, 3-for-4 free throws, 29.3% TS, -13</em></p>
<p id="SyvN64">This was one of Kuminga’s rougher games in a long time. Against a hyper-athletic Pacers squad, a long-and-athletic Pascal Siakam, and a beastly rim protecter in Turner, Kuminga spun his wheels trying to make things happen. After failing in a few attempts to drive, he started to settle for some poorer-quality shots, and it was clear he was forcing the issue. </p>
<p id="uVfCfQ">I’ll give Kuminga this: he hustled all game long. He desperately tried to get his offense going, and rebounded well. But his struggles led to frustration, and his frustration hurt him. With every missed shot and every foul call that he thought he deserved but didn’t get, you could see Kuminga grow more and more frustrated, and it led to more forced shots, more questionable decisions, and more turnovers.</p>
<p id="mSZ81f">That happens to all players, and especially to young ones. It’s nothing to worry about, but it definitely hurt his performance a lot on Friday.</p>
<p id="kq5ZR1"><em><strong>Grade: D+</strong></em><br><em><strong>Post-game bonus: </strong></em>Tied for the worst plus/minus on the team.</p>
<h3 id="yCvXeR"><strong>Andrew Wiggins</strong></h3>
<p id="4FjfMa"><em>22 minutes, 8 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 foul, 4-for-11 shooting, 0-for-3 threes, 36.4% TS, -12</em></p>
<p id="91xB4V">Just kind of a nothingburger for Wiggins. Didn’t really do much of anything. He’s doing a much better job not turning the ball over than he was early in the year, though.</p>
<p id="4U7uPr"><em><strong>Grade: C</strong></em></p>
<h3 id="ZNopem"><strong>Steph Curry</strong></h3>
<p id="CG6xyc"><em>35 minutes, 25 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 turnover, 9-for-24 shooting, 6-for-18 threes, 1-for-1 free throws, 51.1% TS, -13</em></p>
<p id="Ura7ZO">A tale of two games for Steph, at least offensively. In a highly-entertaining first quarter, which ended knotted at 38, Curry dropped in 13 points on 5-for-6 shooting. Over the final three quarters, however, he had just 12 points on 4-for-18 shooting.</p>
<p id="YYpyKT">That sounds worse than it was, as a handful of Curry’s misses came late in the game, forcing up low-percentage shots as the team was quickly running out of time. But still ... after making his mark in a strong way in the opening frame, he kind of failed to do that the rest of the way.</p>
<p id="D6f1Y9">Still and all, Curry grabbed double-digit rebounds and only had one turnover. He certainly wasn’t the reason the team lost, but it certainly wasn’t a game he’ll remember too fondly, either.</p>
<p id="dQD96B"><em><strong>Grade: B-</strong></em><br><em><strong>Post-game bonus: </strong></em>Led the team in points and rebounds, tied for the worst plus/minus on the team.</p>
<h3 id="xqSBW5"><strong>Brandin Podziemski</strong></h3>
<p id="PnMzwy"><em>27 minutes, 13 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, 5-for-8 shooting, 3-for-5 threes, 81.3% TS, +6</em></p>
<p id="TSeQQW">Really nice to see Podz have such a bounce-back game. He came out of the gates firing, with some big early buckets; he finished the first quarter with eight points on 3-for-4 shooting. Those eight first-quarter points were more than he’d scored in the last three games <em>combined</em>. </p>
<p id="MuI5Mm">Podziemski also played as hard as anyone on either team. He never stopped fighting, never stopped defending, and certainly never stopped rebounding. Had a few shots gone different ways, we might have remembered this game for the way that Podziemski kept possessions alive en route to a nice comeback.</p>
<p id="zOTFFt">Ahh, well.</p>
<p id="e2WUf7"><em><strong>Grade: A</strong></em><br><em><strong>Post-game bonus: </strong></em>Best plus/minus on the team.</p>
<h3 id="LT7u2u"><strong>Trayce Jackson-Davis</strong></h3>
<p id="DT8qhJ"><em>26 minutes, 9 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 1 turnover, 1 foul, 4-for-5 shooting, 1-for-3 free throws, 79.1% TS, -9</em></p>
<p id="BuyzfF">Apparently TJD is just one of the most efficient scorers in the NBA right now. You know what? I’m here for it.</p>
<p id="mSyWEa">Another good game for him, and his second half minutes gave the team hope. Unfortunately, hope wasn’t good enough on Friday night.</p>
<p id="3ih78s"><em><strong>Grade: A-</strong></em></p>
<h3 id="ta96Ri"><strong>Chris Paul</strong></h3>
<p id="OYTQ6J"><em>25 minutes, 12 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 turnovers, 4 fouls, 5-for-10 shooting, 2-for-5 threes, 60.0% TS, -2</em></p>
<p id="iZyZKw">A good but not great game from CP3. The Warriors bench is really good, but they were outplayed a bit on Friday ... in part because the starters struggled enough that Steve Kerr had the bench try their luck against Indy’s starting five a few times (the Pacers starters played 20 more minutes than the Warriors starters). </p>
<p id="2qqu7f">Paul had a few huge shots that would be remembered fondly had the Warriors pulled off the comeback.</p>
<p id="L2UXlx"><em><strong>Grade: B</strong></em></p>
<h3 id="KRiZzT"><strong>Klay Thompson</strong></h3>
<p id="NhVSEC"><em>28 minutes, 17 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, 6-for-15 shooting, 3-for-10 threes, 2-for-2 free throws, 53.5% TS, -7</em></p>
<p id="hhGW87">Like his Splash Brother, Thompson’s performance dropped off after a hot start. He entered the game halfway through the second, and splashed in five points, then rattled off 10 more within the first four minutes of the second quarter. Then had just two points the rest of the way out, and didn’t do much else, with a few very costly turnovers.</p>
<p id="hN3ukv"><em><strong>Grade: C</strong></em></p>
<h3 id="HRdHcp"><strong>Gary Payton II</strong></h3>
<p id="WO6AwI"><em>8 minutes, 1 point, 1 rebound, 1 turnover, 0-for-1 shooting, 1-for-2 free throws, 26.6% TS, -10</em></p>
<p id="qYRmGr">I expected GPII to play more in this game, given that the Pacers are a top offensive team (they’re <a href="https://cleaningtheglass.com/stats/league/fourfactors">second in the NBA in garbage time-adjusted offensive rating</a>). But honestly, the Warriors defensive effort was solid, and they just needed more offensive execution ... which is why Payton didn’t play much, presumably.</p>
<p id="16CJx4"><em><strong>Grade: C</strong></em></p>
<h3 id="n7neFx"><strong>Moses Moody</strong></h3>
<p id="amqCZ6"><em>6 minutes, 4 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal, 1 foul, 2-for-5 shooting, 0-for-3 threes, 40.0% TS, -4</em></p>
<p id="669O62">I’d like to see Moody play more minutes. Perhaps shooting about once a minute isn’t going to be what convinces Kerr to give Moody more minutes, but ... I’d like to see him play more minutes.</p>
<p id="CZMH4E"><em><strong>Grade: B-</strong></em></p>
<p id="n5VeVM"><em><strong>Friday’s DNP-CDs: </strong></em>Kevon Looney, Lester Quiñones, Jerome Robinson, Dario Šarić</p>
<p id="4leXDt"><em><strong>Friday’s inactives: </strong></em>Usman Garuba, Pat Spencer </p>
https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2024/3/22/24109415/warriors-pacers-grades-steph-curry-klay-thompsonBrady Klopfer2024-03-22T15:51:41-07:002024-03-22T15:51:41-07:00Warriors vs. Pacers injury report
<figure>
<img alt="Moses Moody looking up while dribbling the basketball. " src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kqZe7J_h9KDvGMXGFQetwmZQktk=/0x0:4425x2950/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73227121/2064222085.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Draymond Green is also on the injury report.</p> <p id="V8IsRb">The <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com">Golden State Warriors</a> are about to embark on a five-game road trip, and a stretch of schedule in which they play nine of 11 games outside the comfy confines of Chase Center. But before they go wheels up and head to new cities, they have one more home game. That game is tonight, against the 39-31 Indiana Pacers. </p>
<p id="KVIS8X">Golden State has been hot and cold lately, so it’s at least good news that the bulk of their team will be healthy. Here’s the complete injury report.</p>
<h3 id="FGxs3B"><strong>Warriors</strong></h3>
<p id="7lBAMj"><em><strong>Questionable </strong></em><strong>— Moses Moody (left knee soreness)</strong></p>
<p id="3caHRt">Moody was questionable for Wednesday’s win over the Memphis Grizzlies. He ended up <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2024/3/20/24107435/warriors-grizzlies-grades-andrew-wiggins-jonathan-kuminga-klay-thompson-steph-curry">playing four minutes in the second quarter</a>, and then not returning to the court ... even during garbage time. Hopefully the knee is feeling better.</p>
<p id="tAVlLp"><em><strong>Probable </strong></em><strong>— Draymond Green (low back soreness)</strong></p>
<p id="nGXiZn">Green was also questionable against the Grizzlies on Wednesday and, like Moody, he played. If he played when questionable, then I’d put a lot of money on him playing when probable.</p>
<h3 id="uXdZst"><strong>Pacers</strong></h3>
<p id="pFxSuG"><em><strong>Out </strong></em><strong>— James Johnson (personal reasons)</strong></p>
<p id="Zlubpg">At this point you know the drill with “personal reasons.” Life and family are bigger than hoops. Hopefully all is okay with Johnson and his people.</p>
<p id="PfqXzQ"><em><strong>Out </strong></em><strong>— Bennedict Mathurin (right shoulder labral tear) </strong></p>
<p id="jVNPMm">It hasn’t been quite the year that Mathurin was hoping for after making the All-Rookie first team a year ago. His play has mostly improved, but his scoring has dipped a bit, and he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury a few weeks ago.</p>
<p id="7T52ag"><em><strong>Questionable </strong></em><strong>— Obi Toppin (left ankle sprain)</strong></p>
<p id="6AKgsQ">Toppin, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2020 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nba-draft">NBA Draft</a> by the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com">New York Knicks</a>, was traded over the summer for a pair of second-round picks. He’s responded well, and in his fourth season setting career bests in minutes per game (21.6), points per game (10.1), rebounds per game (3.9), assists per game (1.5), steals per game (0.5), blocks per game (0.5), field goal percentage (56.4%), and three-point percentage (39.0%). That’s almost everything!</p>
<p id="4TrccN">Enjoy the action, Dub Nation. </p>
https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2024/3/22/24109268/warriors-pacers-injury-report-moses-moody-draymond-greenBrady Klopfer