The Golden State Warriors’ new mantra can perhaps be summed up
best by a classic line by late rapper Tupac Shakur. Through every
dark night, there’s a bright day after. In Sunday’s 114-109 loss to
the host Oklahoma City Thunder, the Warriors once again fought back
to make it close after getting down early.
OKLAHOMA CITY
The Golden State Warriors’ new mantra can perhaps be summed up best by a classic line by late rapper Tupac Shakur.
Through every dark night, there’s a bright day after.
In Sunday’s 114-109 loss to the host Oklahoma City Thunder, the Warriors once again fought back to make it close after getting down early. And, once again, they fell short. It was the fifth time they were down double-digits early and lost after getting within a couple of baskets late in the game.
But the consolation prize of not caving seems to be losing its luster. Now, having lost eight of their last nine, the Warriors have nothing left but to keep plugging away and clinging to the hope they see on the horizon.
“I believe we have a good basketball team,” coach Keith Smart said. “I just have to keep selling that and they have to believe that because this game could have been over. So without a doubt, I think we are going to be a good team when it all is said and done.”
The Warriors (8-12) got 39 points from point guard Stephen Curry. Guard Monta Ellis had 29 points and five rebounds.
Golden State held Oklahoma City to 43.5 percent shooting. The Warriors held Thunder star Kevin Durant to 28 points (he averaged 35.5 points last year against the Warriors) and point guard Russell Westbrook had 19 points on 4-for-16 shooting, his 13 assists somewhat compromised by five turnovers.
But Golden State trailed by 15 entering the second quarter. It was the 10th time they’ve trailed after one quarter, the fifth time by double digits.
Sunday, it took Oklahoma City (14-7) four minutes, 50 seconds to build an 18-2 lead, capped by a 3-pointer from Durant. The Thunder got five layups and three free throws during the game-opening run.
The Warriors offense stalled at the starting blocks. They were 1 for 9 with three turnovers over the first five minutes—the one basket a hook shot by center Andris Biedrins to break an 8-0 run to start the game. Golden State went on to miss 14 of its first 20 shots and trailed 32-17 entering the second quarter.
The locker room was short on answers for how to stop the trend of sluggish starts. But they hope eventually things start to click, some injured players heal and inject some life, and these hard lessons harvest experience.
“We’re doing things that a winning team does,” Curry said. “Defensively, we’re rotating well, we’re talking. Offensively, we’re moving the ball, everybody’s getting involved. Those things are really important if we’re going to win. You just can’t get too devastated after seeing losses.”
The Warriors trailed 90-70 entering the fourth quarter. It was down to 12 after reverse layup by Ellis at the 5:19 mark. It was down to 104-94 after a 3-pointer by swingman Reggie Williams with just over three minutes left. Another layup by Ellis had it down to 108-102 with 1:14 left.
Golden State got as close as three, but Oklahoma City made six of eight free throws in the final minute, and the Warriors missed four of their next five 3-point attempts.
When the final horn sounded, there was dejection on the face of the players.
Not long after, they seem to already have moved on, looking forward to their bright day.
“It’s a long season,” Ellis said. “We’re in a great position. We’ve just got to keep playing together, keep chopping at it, and we’re going to get better. It’s going to turn for us. I know it is. It’s frustrating at this point, but at the same time, we’ve got to look at the positives.”
— Story by Marcus Thompson II, Contra Costa Times
