Ronald Cortes/TNS
Eric Gay/Associated Press
Eric Gay/Associated Press
Eric Gay/Associated Press
Eric Gay/Associated Press
SAN ANTONIO — The Golden State Warriors reclaimed sixth place Sunday in the Western Conference standings again.
They also lost forward Jonathan Kuminga to an injured right ankle.
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The Warriors finished a 148-106 thrashing of the shorthanded San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center without the explosive fourth-year wing, who left in the second quarter with right ankle soreness and didn’t play the last 30:49. He bent around a ball screen from Stephen Curry in the second quarter to attack through contact. He jumped toward the basket, landed awkwardly on his right foot and crashed his backside onto the court.
After taking a minute to gather himself, he walked gingerly through the tunnel next to Golden State’s bench with 6:59 to play in the first half. He’s due for evaluation Monday, a Warriors spokesperson said postgame. In passing in the visiting locker room, Kuminga said he’s “straight,” hoping he doesn’t miss any games.
Kuminga sustained a severe right ankle sprain Jan. 5 against the Memphis Grizzlies, missing the ensuing 31 games. He returned to lineup March 13, averaging 14.3 points (43.7% shooting, 15.8% 3-point shooting), 3.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists in eight games he finished healthily.
In his first 40 games, mostly as a reserve, he’s averaged 16.3 points (45.5% shooting, 31.9% 3-point shooting), 4.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists. Head coach Steve Kerr said he spoke to Kuminga at halftime: “Such a bummer. Just coming back. Finding his rhythm. Playing well. Hopefully it’s nothing too serious.”
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Brandin Podziemski had 27 points via a career-high seven 3-pointers to lead the Warriors, who established their season-high scoring output on 57.7% shooting. Moses Moody added 20 points and three steals. Buddy Hield had 19 points, five rebounds and four assists.
Golden State (43-31) also set season highs for assists (42), steals (17), and fastbreak points (34), making 21 triples to snap its two-week shooting slump while reclaiming sixth place by a half-game over Minnesota (43-32).
The Warriors next play Tuesday against fifth-place Memphis (44-30), concluding their six-game trip Thursday against the fourth-place Lakers (45-29). Third-place Denver (47-28) comes Friday to the Chase Center. Second-place Houston (48-26) follows them Sunday.
“It’s a sprint to the finish,” Moody said. “If somebody wins, somebody loses, whatever. I just know if we win, then stuff is going to go how we want it to. So, focusing on that. Winning the game after that, just sprinting to the finish.”
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Golden State had stumbled to sizable deficits in each of its previous opening quarters — against the Hawks, Heat and Pelicans — en route to a 30-point first-quarter deficit aggregated atop the 14-day trip. At practice Saturday, Kerr emphasized the importance of stronger starts, he shared pregame.
Podziemski said there was “an emphasis on moving the ball, getting up early shots, playing good defense, and just kind of putting the two things together.”
As they planned against the Spurs (31-43), absent star big man Victor Wembanyama and guard De’Aaron Fox, the Warriors seized a 19-6 lead, pairing unified defense with passing and pace. By sprinting, screening, cutting, converting and forcing eight of San Antonio’s 21 turnovers, they secured a 44-27 first-quarter lead with 17-of-24 shooting, 12 assists and 22 points in the paint.
The second quarter resembled the first. The second half resembled the first.
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Podziemski made four third-quarter triples as Moody scored 13 third-quarter points. The starters — Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, Moody and Podziemski — watched the fourth quarter from the bench, improving as a unit to 11-0. Kevon Looney made a fourth-quarter triple, his first since March 19, 2021. The bench erupted with enthusiasm as a smile spread across his face.
“Steve finally drew up a play for me, so I had to shoot it,” Looney said through a laugh. He’s made 11 career 3-pointers. “He asked me, ‘Did I want one?’ I said ‘Yeah.’ So I got one.”
The Warriors are 17-2 when Curry and Butler both play, albeit mostly against undermanned or overmatched opposition. The most significant junction of their season awaits after cultivating more confidence against the Spurs.
“Everybody feels good,” Kerr said. “You get a night where nobody plays more than 25, 26 minutes. That’s very helpful. Big game coming against Memphis. We’ll be well rested and in rhythm for that. … Big stretch coming.”
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Briefly: Gary Payton II (left thumb partial ligament tear) was out for Golden State. … The Warriors are 12-0 when Hield scores 19 or more. … They hadn’t scored at least 148 points since April 9, 2023, when they scored 157 against Portland. … Golden State’s 44 first-quarter points matches its season high for points in a quarter. … The starters all scored in double figures for the third time this season.
Reach Sam Gordon: [email protected]
