The Golden State Warriors entered Saturday’s showdown with the Phoenix Suns mired in a prolonged slump, having dropped 12 of their last 15 games to fall to a disappointing .500 record. But Jonathan Kuminga’s career-night and some timely plays from recent addition Dennis Schroder fueled a much-needed 109-105 victory that the team hopes can be a turning point in their season.
Kuminga Ties Career-High in Breakout Performance
The seventh overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Kuminga has been a frequent topic of discussion around the Warriors this season, from not receiving a contract extension in the preseason to his recent removal from the starting lineup by coach Steve Kerr. But the talented young forward silenced the noise with a monstrous 34 points on 12-of-20 shooting, tying his career-high. Kuminga lived at the free throw line with 12 attempts and crashed the glass for 9 rebounds, while also making an impact on the defensive end against Kevin Durant down the stretch.
He’s one of the most talented guys on the team, by far. It’s good to see him playing the way he’s playing. We just need him to stay that aggressive.
Draymond Green on Kuminga’s performance
Schroder Steps Up in Clutch
Schroder, acquired in a trade from the Brooklyn Nets two weeks ago, has struggled to find his footing with his new team. But the veteran guard made his presence felt when it mattered most. His go-ahead three-pointer with 1:23 remaining put the Warriors up for good. Schroder then followed it up by forcing a Durant turnover and knocking down a pair of crucial free throws to help seal the win.
Green’s Scoring Surge
Though Stephen Curry had a quiet scoring night, Draymond Green picked up the slack with 16 points, all coming in the first half. The defensive anchor and facilitator showing off his scoring chops helped keep the Warriors within striking distance.
Kerr Optimistic About Turning Point
The hard-fought win snapped a frustrating string of close losses for Golden State in recent weeks. Head coach Steve Kerr expressed hope that this could mark a shift in momentum for his squad.
We’ve lost a lot of these. We need to regain our confidence, for sure. So, I think this will help.
Steve Kerr on the significance of the win
The victory kicks off a six-game homestand for the Warriors, although it features tough matchups against contenders like the Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Miami Heat. To build off this success and resurrect their season, Golden State will need to stack more wins and establish consistency.
Draymond Green believes this could be a turning point akin to how a pair of close road losses against the Spurs and Nets sent their season into a tailspin. But he acknowledges they have work to do to pull out of their 16-15 hole.
There’s no reason why this can’t be a turning point to turn it back. But you got to build on it though. It just don’t happen.
Draymond Green on building momentum
If the Warriors have truly righted the ship, this gritty win over Durant and the Suns could very well be the turning point we reflect on down the line. With Kuminga emerging, Schroder settling in, and leaders like Green and Curry at the helm, Golden State may still have time to salvage their season and recapture their championship form.
