Injured Spurs Outlast Warriors Without Stephen Curry
Everyone available got playing time for the San Antonio Spurs as they defeated the Golden State Warriors 126-113, and everyone made the most of their minutes. Gregg Popovich emptied the benches in the first quarter, and all ten available Spurs saw the court.
Devin Vassell and Victor Wembanyama did not play, but the Spurs were able to put forth a combined effort to dispatch the Warriors, who did not play superstar Steph Curry.
Mar 9, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Devonte' Graham (4) grabs a loose ball away from Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during the first quarter at Chase Center.
© D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports
Keldon Johnson led the way for the Spurs with 22 points, and Tre Jones dished out 10 assists with only one turnover, continuing his efforts as one of the most efficient passers in the league.
While the Spurs had their postseason hopes dashed by the Sacramento Kings in their previous game, the Warriors--the tenth seed in the Western Conference--need to capitalize on every game. In all honesty, this game should have been a cakewalk for Golden State.
Scoring efforts from Klay Thompson and Jonathan Kuminga made the game close down the stretch, but a dominating 20-point fourth-quarter lead by the Spurs was simply too much for Golden State to overcome.
The Warriors managed to close their 20-point deficit to 11 points, but it was just too little, too late, as the Spurs reserves were able to power through.
Dominick Barlow and Malaki Branham continued to play well, scoring 19 and 20 points, respectively. Barlow added eight rebounds for good measure, suggesting that he can be a fixture of the Spurs as they continue to rebuild.
With fresh wind in their sails, the Spurs will return home to have a rematch with the Warriors at the Frost Bank Center on Monday.
