The Golden State Warriors have been tight-lipped about their interest in the Western Conference standings. Some have admitted to keeping an eye on them. Others have described them as a last-minute addition.
But no one in Golden State’s locker room was unaware of the implications of Saturday’s game against the Utah Jazz.
A win would put the Warriors in third place, one game behind the Dallas Mavericks. It would also give them the tiebreaker over the Jazz, securing a top-five finish in the West if both teams finished with the same record.
“Oh, we knew,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “We didn’t discuss it much as a squad, but the men know. I told the coaching staff, and Steph Curry told a few players.”
The Warriors defeated the Jazz 111-107, securing a playoff berth and potentially earning home-court advantage in the first round. It was their second victory in nine games.
The Warriors needed something to build on after losing to the Phoenix Suns the night before. Against the Suns, their defense, which was previously ranked first in the league, resurfaced, as did their offense. They couldn’t close. It was all about closing against the Jazz.
After the Warriors cut the Jazz’s advantage to single digits late in the third quarter, Utah exploded for 16 points early in the fourth. A 3-pointer by Klay Thompson forced a Jazz timeout at 6:58.
That’s when Draymond Green’s pep talk turned the game.
“He just had so much enthusiasm. Encouragement and encouragement, especially in a stressful situation, “Poole remarked. “He speaks for the squad. We basically rode the wave.”
Andrew Wiggins scored a 28-foot pull-up jumper after the timeout. Thompson followed with a 3. It was his second possession. In 80 seconds, the Warriors moved from down 16 to up 4 and took their first lead of the game.
“Wow,” Kerr said. “Klay and Jordan’s skills amazed me. Draymond’s intensity and passion, Andrew’s methodical defense and energy, and Otto’s (Porter Jr.) incredible final performance.”
Poole had 31 points, his 16th consecutive 20-point game, while Thompson had 36 for the Warriors.
Thompson’s performance was a breakthrough after a string of poor performances. A lack of rhythm has caused his recent struggles, according to the Warriors.
A few times seeing the ball go through the hoop is all it takes,” Kerr remarked. This was not a huge increase in shot selection, but having that midrange shot allowed him to get into a rhythm and then he started making impossible shots.
Thompson: “I know I can do that. After yesterday’s game, I told myself that it was just one game and I would move on. I promised Kenny Atkinson I was going to have a huge night tonight, and it happened. I’m pleased.”
The Warriors’ fourth-quarter offensive explosion was bolstered by Utah’s continuous drop coverage defense, which kept Rudy Gobert in the paint, allowing the Warriors easy looks.
Unlike in previous games, the Warriors made those open shots this time. Instead of slacking, they delivered. For Poole, every game is critical at this point. But the Warriors’ locker room understood this one had a special edge, and they weren’t going to let it slip away.
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That’s what Green told his team during a timeout in the fourth quarter, sparking the Warriors’ late-game rally. “It was critical,” Poole added. “We needed to win the game now.”
