The Golden State Warriors kept the good times rolling this past week, and we're here to get you up to speed with the fun that was and the excitement to come with this edition of Warriors Weekly.
The Week That Was
Four more games, four more wins. The Warriors are 11-0 for the first time in franchise history, thanks in large part to Stephen Curry's continued ascent into the rarefied air NBA legend. Curry scored a combined 130 points in wins over the Detroit Pistons, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves and Brooklyn Nets. His worst of the bunch was a sub-40% shooting, 22-point night in Monday's 109-95 home win over the Pistons. However, the unreal part of that is that 22 points is his SEASON LOW.
Curry went on to put up 28 and 46 respectively on the Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves in back-to-back road wins, before turning on the gas late with 21 of his 34 points after halftime in the team's 107-99 comeback OT win at home against the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday. While Curry is far from the only Warriors contributing during the team's molten-hot start, it's easy to get carried away talking about the unreal roll he's on to open the 2015-16 campaign.
What's Next?
Golden State opens up a four-game week at home on Tuesday against a streaky Toronto Raptors (7-3) squad which opened up 2015-16 with five straight wins, lost three straight, before coming back with a duo of convincing wins over the Philadelphia 76ers and New Orleans Pelicans. It doesn't get much easier from there, with a road game against the rival Los Angeles Clippers (6-4) on Thursday followed by the second half of a back-to-back at home on Friday against the Chicago Bulls (6-3). The week wraps up with a road game on Sunday at the Denver Nuggets (5-5).
We're not here to rain on the Warriors' parade, but Saturday's escape job against a lowly Brooklyn Nets squad is a sign that any team can beat any other team on any given night. We're starting directly at the back-to-back against the Clippers and Bulls as the most obvious place for at least one slip. With Klay Thompson's health a question mark for now (more on that in a second), we're predicting the Warriors to go 3-1 with a letdown loss to the Bulls on Friday ending the team's season-opening win streak at 13.
Injuries
Klay Thompson has been dealing with intermittent back stiffness this year which has played a part in an inconsistent shooting start to the 2015-16 campaign. He sat out Saturday's win over the Nets -- just the seventh game he's missed in his career. All signs point to him being back on Tuesday, but his back problems remain something to keep an eye on.
Leandro Barbosa did not make the trip with the team to Minnesota, nor did he play against Brooklyn due to a personal matter back home in Brazil. He's expected to return Monday and suit up for the team's game against Toronto on Tuesday, Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Promotions
Golden State will host Hardwood Classics Night on Tuesday, breaking out throwback "The City" jerseys originally released during the 1966-67 NBA season. You can get more info on the unique event as a whole at this link. The team will also be hosting Asian Heritage Night on Tuesday, along with giving away one of five unique "Splash Towels" slated for this season to every fan in attendance.
Friday's home game against the Chicago Bulls will be a big one for collectors, as the first 10,000 fans through the gates will receive a replica championship trophy commemorating the team's run to a title this past summer. In addition, as part of Authentic Fan Friday, all fans will receive an Andrew Bogut Authentic Fan Cheer Card. Additional swag will be given away to fans sitting in the Authentic Fan section (212).
All upcoming Warriors promotions can be found on their official website.
What They're Saying About The Dubs
Andrew Bogut making his case to start again (SF Gate)
Stephen Curry passes his dad on all time 3-point list (ESPN)
Warriors now know they can't take a defensive break (SJ Mercury News)
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