By JANIE McCAULEY | AP Sports activities Author
SAN FRANCISCO— These second-half comebacks have gotten a factor for the Golden State Warriors, very like these previous third-quarter surges that used to outline this bunch.
Stephen Curry scored 34 factors, Jordan Poole dazzled down the stretch to attain 30 and the Warriors didn’t lead till the 8:29 mark of the fourth quarter on the way in which to beating the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder 136-125 on Tuesday evening.
Of their last regular-season house sport, the Warriors moved into fifth place within the Western Convention standings.
For a day, that's. The winner of the Clippers-Lakers sport Wednesday jumps to fifth and can drop Golden State to sixth. The Warriors will likely be watching intently, and may win their last two video games on the street and safe their spot.
“It’s enjoyable, that is all what it’s about. We love the competitors and despite the fact that we’d desire to be house free within the playoffs proper now, that is the place we're,” coach Steve Kerr mentioned. “Actually happy with the blokes what they’ve accomplished right here in latest weeks to place ourselves on this place however now we’ve bought to go end the deal and get into the highest six.”
On an evening Klay Thompson was a late scratch with low again tightness — “completely surprising,” based on Kerr — Poole and his backcourt mates got here by means of. Poole raised his palms to make a 3 signal whereas celebrating his large make from deep with 3:17 to play that put the Warriors up 131-120. He added a 360-degree layup the subsequent time down off Draymond Inexperienced’s steal.
Poole is glad he’s taking part in a few of his finest basketball throughout a vital stretch.
“All of them matter. You attempt to lock in as a lot as attainable and put us in a extremely good place to achieve success,” Poole mentioned.
Inexperienced contributed 17 factors, 10 rebounds and 5 assists with a pair of blocked pictures and steals.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 factors, 21 within the first half, for the Thunder. Jalen Williams added 19 factors however the Thunder misplaced their third in a row and fourth of 5.
Moses Moody’s dunk with 4:57 left within the third pulled the Warriors inside 92-91 after they trailed by 10 at halftime. He completed with 13 factors and 5 rebounds in his first sport scoring in double figures since Jan. 13.
“It positively had that playoff really feel to it being out right here in these video games, how a lot every sport issues, how a lot every possession issues,” Moody mentioned.
Donte DiVincenzo added 16 factors and Kevon Looney grabbed 11 rebounds because the Warriors held a 54-38 benefit on the boards.
The defending champions bought a pleasant elevate earlier than the sport seeing Andrew Wiggins again with the crew after he had been away since mid-February coping with a household matter, although he received’t be able to play instantly as he works to get his conditioning again. Wiggins obtained a heat ovation when introduced in the course of the first quarter and he grinned ear to ear.
“To have him again and see his feelings and see him smiling, that’s a vibrant spot for the crew,” Moody mentioned.
HOME SWEET HOME
The Warriors received their last three at house and completed the common season 33-8 at Chase Heart and with their 471st consecutive sellout.
WIGGINS RETURNS
Wiggins has rejoined the crew after being away for six weeks coping with a household matter and is working his means again to taking part in once more. That received’t be within the subsequent few days, Kerr mentioned.
“If you’re in a sure state of affairs and your loved ones wants you, it requires your consideration and your love, that’s my first precedence,” Wiggins mentioned. “My profession, every thing, household’s all the time first for me. It should all the time be that means.”
Wiggins missed his twenty third straight sport and hasn’t performed since Feb. 13 versus Washington.
TIP-INS
Thunder: Oklahoma Metropolis shot 15 for 26 within the opening quarter and 59.6% within the first half. … The Thunder misplaced the season sequence 3-0 final yr and 3-1 this season.
Warriors: Golden State has received 5 straight in opposition to the Thunder at house and hasn’t misplaced on its house ground within the sequence since a 100-97 defeat on Nov. 25, 2019, in Chase Heart’s preliminary season.
UP NEXT
Thunder: At Utah on Thursday evening trying to snap a four-game skid on the Jazz’s house ground.
Warriors: At Sacramento on Friday evening trying to win the season sequence in opposition to the playoff-bound Kings and former high assistant Mike Brown.
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