The Warriors celebrated SF/PF Harrison Barnes’ return the best way they could—with a win. The Warriors beat the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night, 106-93. The Warriors got off to an uncharacteristically slow start; their offense was off and their defense looked even worse during a rough first quarter. As the game advanced, so did their energy, and it wasn’t long before Golden State regained control. It was a good win for the Warriors, and it proved exactly how valuable Harrison Barnes and the Warriors’ bench is to their success.
The Warriors bench picked up the slack in the first half of the game. The aggressive and physical style of play from Jermaine O’Neal (who left the game early to receive stiches in his chin), Draymond Green and Marreese Speights gave the Warriors the pickup they needed in the first half.
Barnes was a game-time decision, and entered the game during the first quarter. In his first game since October 7—he has been out due to a left foot inflammation—the forward scored 14 points in 14 minutes. Barnes’ return was better than anyone could have hoped for. He didn’t play as if he had missed five preseason games, four regular season games and only participated in one practice since October 7—the Barnes we saw last season was back.
However, at the 8:41 mark in the third quarter point guard Stephen Curry got tangled up with Ricky Rubio, evidently hurting his knee. He left the game, but returned just three minutes later only to be taken to the locker room with a bone bruise in his left foot. The Warriors didn’t let the superstar’s exit derail them, and after Curry left the game, the Warriors stretched a nine-point advantage to as many as 18 points.
Klay Thompson finished the game with 30 points—19 of which were scored in the fourth quarter. After the game, Thompson said that the result proved that Golden State isn’t a one-man team, and while Curry is one of the best players in the NBA, they’re also “a very deep team” this year. Thompson was right—David Lee had 22 points and 15 rebounds and Andre Iguodala added 20 points in the victory.
So far, all of Golden State’s wins have been by double-digits. On Friday, the Warriors (4-1) are set to play San Antonio (4-1), who knocked them out in six games in last season’s Western Conference Semifinals. Curry said that his injuries won’t be long-term and that he expects to play on Friday in the third game of the Warriors’ four-game road trip.
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