The Golden State Warriors entered their game against the Phoenix Suns on Friday with a short-handed lineup due to injuries and recent trades. Even so, the Dubs still managed to thump the Suns, 101-97, at Mortgage Matchup Center.
With Kristaps Porzingis still not with the team, Golden State relied heavily on Gui Santos and Al Horford to anchor their defense, and on Pat Spencer, De’Anthony Melton, and Gary Payton II for some offense.
“It felt like we won the championship. We needed that,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said postgame. “Everything has just been tough the past week; it felt like a great team win where everybody competed.”
No Steph Curry, No Problem
In the absence of their focal point on offense, Golden State leaned on the services of Spencer, who scored a career-high 20 points en route to the victory.
In the dying seconds, Santos and Melton converted fast-break layups to cap off a 22-5 run to end the game victorious.
The win puts an end to the Warriors’ two-game losing streak and gives them much-needed momentum ahead of their matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.
The Suns Were Missing Stars as Well
Like the Warriors, the Suns also had a short-handed lineup, as Devin Booker missed the game with an ankle injury, while Grayson Allen had to leave early due to a leg injury.
Additionally, newly acquired players Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey were also unable to play, as they were not with the team yet.
Defensive wing Dillon Brooks paced the Suns with 24 points in the losing effort.
