Injured Warriors run out of steam in Philly, fall 118-106
The Warriors were well aware of the challenge that lies ahead with Stephen Curry sidelined indefinitely with a shoulder injury.
Down three starters, Golden State had to be nearly perfect Friday night against a tough Philadelphia 76ers team led by Joel Embiid and James Harden. The Warriors led for most of the first three quarters but ran out of steam down the stretch as the Sixers pulled out a 118-106 win over the shorthanded reigning champs.
Jordan Poole scored 29 points, Kevon Looney dished out a career-high nine assists and Donte DiVincenzo got Golden State going Friday but it wasn’t enough as the Warriors lost their fifth straight road game and fell to 14-16 overall on the season.
Despite being without Curry, Andrew Wiggins (thigh muscle strain) and Draymond Green (quad bruise), the Warriors were locked in on both ends from the get-go. They made nine of their first 10 shots and finished the first quarter up three after going 9-for-12 from 3-point range in the first quarter. They also assisted on all but one of their 15 first-quarter baskets.
DiVincenzo played a big part in Golden State’s red-hot start. He made his first five 3s and had 15 points by the end of the quarter. It was the most points he’s scored in any quarter in his six-year career.
Golden State continued to grind it out against the Sixers, holding them to 41.9% from the field in the first half. Meanwhile, the Warriors shot 50% from the field and 55% from 3-point land.
The Warriors, though, cooled off in the second half as the Sixers started to close in. Still, Poole scored 15 points in the third quarter to keep the Warriors within striking distance. After trailing for most of the first three quarters, the resurgent Sixers were up 88-81 heading into the fourth.
A wide-open Klay Thompson corner 3 cut the Sixers’ lead to 101-93 with just over 6 minutes left in the fourth. But the Warriors ran out of steam. Key turnovers, surrending too many free throws and poor shooting led to the Warriors’ demise. The Sixers scored 25 points from the foul line.
“I liked the effort, I liked the ball movement… I didn’t like the fouling,” coach Steve Kerr said. “They shot 31 free throws to our 13, made 14 more than us and it was a 12-point game. There’s the game.”
NBA-leading scorer Embiid finished with 34 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocks for the Sixers. Harden contributed 27 points, nine assists and four rebounds.
Meanwhile, Looney finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists, two steals and two blocks. DiVincenzo added a career-high 17 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Poole shot 50% from the field and went 4-for-9 from 3.
Poole acknowledged the responsibility he has in stepping up in place of the injured Curry.
“Keep playing my game, try to lead these guys to a couple wins,” he said. “Really try to lock in and get into the rhythm while we’re on the road.”
Even though they showed a lot of promise against the talented Sixers, a top-5 Eastern Conference team, the Warriors still lost for the 14th time in 16 road games this season.
Golden State will have the opportunity to snap this three-game losing streak Sunday in Toronto against the Raptors.