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Stephen Curry snapped out of his mini taking pictures funk and scored 31 factors with eight 3-pointers to maintain the Warriors rolling with a 110-99 win over the New York Knicks on Thursday.
Curry had a double-double within the first half and completed with a season-high 11 rebounds, serving to the Warriors to their twelfth win in 15 video games.
Jonathan Kuminga had 25 factors, eight rebounds and two blocks for the Warriors (31-27). Klay Thompson added 16 factors and 5 rebounds. Draymond Inexperienced had seven factors, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. Chris Paul chipped in with 11 factors, six assists and three steals.
Golden State, which entered half a recreation behind the Los Angeles Lakers for the No. 9 spot within the Western Convention, by no means trailed regardless of an uneven night time offensively however made up for it with one among its higher defensive video games of the season.
The Knicks (35-25), No. 4 within the East, shot 36.8 % from the ground and dedicated 12 turnovers.
The Warriors received their second straight with out Andrew Wiggins, who stays away from the group as a result of private causes. Moses Moody began in Wiggins’ absence and had eight factors with 4 rebounds.
Listed below are the takeaways from Thursday’s recreation at Madison Sq. Backyard:
Quick begin units the tone
The Warriors set the tone early after they opened up the second cease on this highway journey with a dominant 14-0 run that would have and doubtless ought to have been greater. That early spurt, Golden State’s longest to start a recreation since 1977-78, put the Knicks on their heels and matched the second-longest game-opening streak within the NBA throughout the 2023-24 season.
Curry led the cost and nailed his first three 3-pointers, whereas Moody took a go from Inexperienced beneath the basket, pump-faked then scored and was fouled. The three-point play put Golden State forward 20-4.
The Knicks, who have been held scoreless for the primary six minutes of the sport, made a run and bought inside 55-46 at halftime when former Warrior Donte DiVincenzo made two of three free throw makes an attempt after getting fouled by Inexperienced with one-tenth of a second left within the second quarter.
That quick begin was essential as a result of the Knicks managed a lot of the second half and bought inside 89-85 within the fourth quarter earlier than Kuminga helped the Dubs draw back.
Steph’s bounce again
A lot for Curry being drained and sporting down.
The 2-time MVP, whose taking pictures contact had been off within the earlier two video games, discovered his rhythm early and by no means let up. That it got here at Madison Sq. Backyard is definitely no shock. Curry’s gentle has at all times shone its brightest within the Huge Apple the place he’s traditionally had a few of his most sensible video games.
This time round it was one other classic efficiency by the Warriors’ ace shooter.
Curry scored 11 of his factors within the first quarter and snagged seven rebounds, tying probably the most he’s had in any quarter of his profession. He notched a double-double by halftime and was 11 of 26 taking pictures.
That ought to put to relaxation any fear or concern over Curry’s stamina. As he identified a couple of days in the past, there are going to be ups and downs in any season, and the downs are magnified extra after they occur to a participant of Curry’s caliber. Seems like he’s again on the upswing now.
Battle of the boards
The sport was a matchup of two of the highest rebounding groups within the NBA. This time, the Knicks bought the higher hand with a 67-62 edge.
New York, second within the NBA for offensive rebounds, bought the sting there, too, however couldn’t money in sufficient on the extra scoring alternatives.
A part of that was as a result of Golden State’s protection, which made up for a lot of the errors the group elsewhere. That, alone, is an encouraging signal for this group because the season heads into the ultimate few months.
