Nikola Vucevic goes off for 43 points to help Bulls hand Warriors 132-118 loss
CHICAGO — So much for all that talk about momentum building after the Warriors’ blowout win over the San Antonio Spurs Friday in front of a record-setting crowd.
The Warriors took one step forward at the start of this road trip only to take another step back Sunday afternoon, falling 132-118 to the Chicago Bulls.
Klay Thompson finished with 26 points with eight 3s and Stephen Curry added 20 but this was Nikola Vucevic’s game. The Bulls big man earned loud “Voo” chants from the crowd as the game went on before he finished with a career-high 43 points on 18 of 21 shooting and 5 of 10 from 3-point land. He also grabbed 13 rebounds and had four assists to help the Bulls snap a three-game losing skid and earn their first win over the Warriors since 2017.
The Warriors looked out of sync from the tip. It was a slow and sloppy start for Golden State, who had more turnovers in the first quarter (six) than they did in the entire first half of Friday’s game in San Antonio (five.)
The Warriors were able to overcome their rough start and climbed out of the 15-point hole they found themselves in after the first quarter. They opened the second with a 14-4 run to come within five at the 9:24 mark. After a timeout, the home team started to pull away again.
Golden State responded, closing out the half with a 19-5 run to take a 3-point lead heading into the locker room.
But it wasn’t sustainable. After Golden State jumped out to an eight-lead early in the third, the Bulls took over.
The Bulls, who were without DeMar DeRozan, scored 31 points off the Warriors’ 23 turnovers. They also took 12 more shots than the reigning champs.
Sunday was another reminder that the only thing the Warriors have been consistent on this season is their inconsistency, and that won’t change until they look themselves in the mirror.
They better do that fast as they’ll have a quick turnaround, playing in Washington D.C. Monday in less than 24 hours after the final horn in Chicago.
Curry should be good to go for the game against the Wizards, but Thompson won’t play. Andre Iguodala, who missed Sunday’s game with hip soreness, could also miss the Wizards game along with Jonathan Kuminga (sprained foot), James Wiseman (sprained ankle) and JaMychal Green (infection.)
The Warriors remain optimistic that Thompson could play in games on consecutive nights at some point this season, though it won’t be on this trip.
“We’re going to continue to be cautious with Klay but you never know how these games are going to go,” Kerr said. “… just gotta kind of wait and see after each game.”