OAKLAND — “Strength in Numbers” had become a tired, outdated Warriors’ slogan this season, but not anymore.
Not since Kevin Durant went down with a calf strain that has kept him out of the past two games and leaves his possible return date in question.
The Warriors’ bench was regarded as a weakness much of the season, with coach Steve Kerr often shrinking his rotation and relying on the team’s stars. But the bench has delivered big-time in Durant’s absence.
The reserves scored 33 points in the clinching Game 6 victory at Houston last Friday, and they upped that to 36 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists in the Warriors’ 116-94 win over Portland in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals on Tuesday night at Oracle Arena.