Late in a close game Monday night, when James Michael McAdoo hit a corner three-pointer to inch the Warriors within two points of the Jazz, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Kevin Durant rose from the bench to signal their approval.
Dressed in uniform, they were healthy enough to play. It wasn’t necessary. With home-court advantage throughout the playoffs already secured, Golden State’s core players were free to watch as their less-touted teammates faded down the stretch in a 105-99 loss.
It was as feel-good of a streak-snapping loss as they come.