Story By: Sol Tucker
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Washington, D.C–
Coming off a tough loss to the Knicks on Friday night. the Wizards certainly had their hands full today with Golden State, but they weren’t going to just roll over and die either.
The Warriors came into Capital One Arena with a 4-17 road record, and they also came without Klay Thompson in the line-up, so there was a good chance the Wizards could pull this one off, well the final few minutes were not their friend again tonight.
Washington was able to get things going early behind Kristaps Porzingis who led Washington with 32 points. Kyle Kuzma added 16 points, 11 rebounds and five assists, but struggled from the field, where he was only 5 for 20.
The Wizards reached their biggest lead of the night, 89-80, following a Deni Avdija layup with 4:33 to play in the third quarter. But the Warriors quickly closed back within two points at 93-91 on a Curry 3-pointer, then tied the game on an Anthony Lamb layup. Neither team maintained a lead for more than a spurt through the first three quarters, which had 12 ties and 12 lead changes and finished tied, 93-93.
The Warriors trailed 106-105 when Curry made a fall-away 3-pointer against a double team. He made another basket, assisted on the next, and hit a 3-pointer to put the Warriors in front 115-111 with 3:58 to play. Curry made another step-back 3 with 2:01 to play and Poole hit one with 1:29 to play to vault Golden State in front 123-114.
“This was a big win,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “When you’re .500, every win is a big win.”
Curry finished the game with 41 points and Jordan Poole 32 points.
“You have to give it to those guys tonight. They found a way to battle back late in the game. They were able to stop KP and Kuz forced a couple of shots that we could have played a bit better, but I know these guys left it all out there today,” said Wes Unseld Jr.
With the loss today the Wizards fall to 10-11 at home and 18-26 on the season. The question remains how many games are the Wizards able to limp by without Bradley Beal in the line-up?