SAN FRANCISCO — Even without Steph Curry, Andrew Wiggins, and the majority of their frontcourt depth, the Warriors managed to win a game on Monday in double overtime. A week ago, it would have been difficult to believe this.
Last week, the Warriors returned from a 1-5 road trip without the star they revolve around, and there was little reason to believe they would be able to muster the willpower to string wins together without him. Draymond Green attributed their incompetence to a “fragile” mental state.
Green changed his mind during Tuesday’s arduous and laborious victory over the Atlanta Hawks, though.
“I think since I said that, we’re starting to build an M.O., which is being gritty, no matter the situation. This is a team that’s going to keep fighting,” Green said. “I don’t think this team had built an identity all year and we’re starting to build an identity. And it’s coming at a great time.”
Five straight victories for the Warriors. They prevailed in this game with to some outstanding performances from Klay Thompson (54 points, 10 3-pointers), Kevon Looney (20 rebounds, game-winning put-back at the buzzer), and Gerald Green (yet another defensive masterclass).
The calluses they’ve developed, though, are helping them win close games – four of their previous five victories have been decided by five points or fewer.
Despite having a rotation of just nine players, the Warriors persevered. They fought back after blowing a 17-point halftime advantage. Twice.
This homestand might have a significant impact on the rest of the Warriors’ season because Curry is anticipated to return by the end of it and because they are poised to either be a high-seed contender or a play-in team. They returned home sick, injured, and playing poorly. 500 set for an eight-game homestand against mostly tanking teams. They could have easily wilted, lazed and fallen into obscurity.
Not only have they stayed relevant, but they’re uncovering an identity. Without Curry to hide behind, the rest of the team is learning to brave the elements.
Naturally, the expense of operating with a reduced roster became apparent as Green spoke with reporters. Four of the five starters, including Green, played for at least 44 minutes.
As Green changed at his locker, he grumbled and berated his sore muscles. Draymond Green is taking the brunt of too many intense, long games with JaMychal Green and James Wiseman out. His back hurts as a result of it.
Though he moans in pain, Green didn’t play for more than a month late in the previous season due to a back ailment.
“I’m paid to play basketball,” he said. “It is what it is, regardless of how I feel, it don’t matter. I gotta play and we gotta win.”
In the 58-minute contest, Green played 44:35. Tuesday’s star player, Thompson, played for about 46 minutes. The Warriors needed every second of it for Thompson’s hot hand because Jordan Poole only made 11 of his 31 shots.
“It’s going by so fast, we’re almost at the halfway point,” Thompson said. “And after this year there’s only one year left on my deal. So I told myself I have to enjoy every day in a Warriors uniform.”
But in the Warriors’ last four games, Thompson has logged 37 minutes or more of playing time. Despite the fact that Thompson’s conditioning has significantly improved since the season’s beginning, his workload may become an issue given that the Warriors’ coaching staff requires him to sit out one half of every back-to-back set to prevent further damage to his surgically repaired ACL and Achilles.
Last season, the Warriors needed to show some grit to return to the top of the Western Conference. They can only pray that their difficulties along the way don’t prevent them from taking another step if they are able to return up there.