It appeared Stephen Curry’s sprained right ankle was just fine for most of Monday night. Ditto for Monta Ellis’ mental state.
The Warriors’ star guards led Golden State to its first win of the season, 99-91 over the visiting Chicago Bulls. Curry and Ellis combined for 47 points on 17-for-29 shooting and 17 assists. And they did it against a Bulls backcourt boasting reigning league MVP Derrick Rose and veteran Richard Hamilton.
Ellis and Curry struggled in the season opener Sunday. Curry, dealing with ankle issues, missed 10 of his 12 shots and finished with four points and five turnovers in the loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Ellis, dealing with a sexual harassment lawsuit and the death of his grandmother, needed 19 shots to get 15 points. He totaled four turnovers and scored just one fourth-quarter point.
But Monday’s performance was much more like the titillating backcourt that Warriors fans have grown to love.
A big difference was their aggression early. Both penetrated instead of settling for jumpers, which resulted in good looks and trips to the free throw line. They both also set up other teammates, which scattered the Bulls defense.
They made 10 of 11 from the foul line in the first half. Curry scored 15 points in the second quarter, seven from the line, as the Warriors built a lead as large as 19 points.
It seems, though, that Curry’s ankle issues will continue. He tweaked his right ankle midway through the fourth quarter. He tried to walk it off but was taken out with 5:52 to play and never returned. Curry finished with 21 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds and six steals.
But the Warriors still had Ellis, who scored seven of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, stunting the Bulls’ comeback bid. About a minute later, he got free for a breakaway dunk. Then, after the Bulls cut the deficit to single digits on a Luol Deng 3-pointer, Ellis dropped in a finger roll from the baseline. Golden State led 93-83 with 4:03 left.
– Eager for more minutes, swingman Brandon Rush was happy to get out of Indiana. If the season opener was any indication, being traded to the Warriors was a wish fulfilled.
Rush totaled three practices and no exhibition games with Golden State. Yet, against the Clippers on Sunday, he was the most-used reserve, logging more than 28 minutes. Monday, his 27 minutes off the bench were the most among reserves.
“He’s earned those minutes from the first day he came to this team,” coach Mark Jackson said. “He’s not going to hurt you. He’s going to make solid plays. He’s going to rebound the basketball and he’s going to battle defensively. There’s a reason why we wanted him.”
Rush was acquired from the Pacers on Dec. 19 for forward Lou Amundson. The signing of Kwame Brown, and the progress of second-year forward Ekpe Udoh, allowed Golden State to cash in one of their big men to get more depth on the wing. Rush – who is 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds – seems to have done just that.
Not only can he play multiple positions, but he has the defensive mindset that Golden State wants. Rush, in his fourth year out of Kansas, has built a reputation for using his size, length and Jayhawk pedigree on the defensive end. Sunday, he had two blocks and a steal. Monday, with 2:35 left, he prevented a C.J. Watson layup, giving the Warriors a critical stop.
“My main thing is defense,” Rush said. “Scoring will come. I just focus on defense and getting key stops.”
Rush is in the final year of his rookie contract, earning a prorated version of $2.9 million. He became expendable in Indiana with the emergence of Paul George, now in his second season. The Pacers have little time at small forward, where All-Star Danny Granger dominates the minutes.
Rush also has had some off-the-court issues. He was suspended five games at the start of last season after violating the league’s drug policy. He failed a marijuana test for the third time, according to the Indianapolis Star. This offseason, he caused a stir with some homophobic tweets. Rush said his Twitter account was hacked.
“It’s definitely a fresh start,” he said. “I’m embracing the opportunity and running with it.”
– Coach Mark Jackson tinkered with the rotation again Monday. To combat the Bulls’ second unit (known for its physical, defensive play), Jackson’s key guys in the first half were Rush and Brown, who totaled six rebounds in 23 minutes.
Sunday, Jackson said he was able to go with a small lineup (rookie swingman Klay Thompson at small forward and Udoh at center) because the Clippers had Brian Cook on the floor, a power forward who plays from the perimeter.
Monday, Jackson needed size and strength to bang with Chicago. So Thompson, the first off the bench in the opener, logged just 12 minutes. Udoh totaled 14.
“You have to pick and choose when you can do it,” Jackson said of his small lineup. “I wouldn’t do it against Pau Gasol or LaMarcus Aldridge or guys like that. It wouldn’t be the wise thing to do.”
