November 7th 2024.
The Warriors had been talking about their defensive identity since training camp in Hawaii and finally, on Wednesday night at the TD Garden, they proved that it was more than just talk. Despite facing the defending champions, the Celtics, who had the best offense in the league, the Warriors showed that their second-best defensive rating was not just a fluke against weaker teams.
Andrew Wiggins stepped up to the challenge and locked down Jayson Tatum for much of the game. The Warriors' rotations were on point, limiting the Celtics to only 16 points in the second quarter and a dismal shooting performance in the first half. And even though the Celtics made a run in the third quarter, the Warriors were able to clamp down in the back-and-forth fourth quarter.
The end result was a season-low 112 points for the Celtics, as the Warriors extended their winning streak to five with a 118-112 victory. Steph Curry had a season-high 27 points, along with nine assists, seven rebounds, and four steals, leading the Warriors to an upset against the team widely regarded as the best in the league.
After the game, Warriors coach Steve Kerr acknowledged the Celtics' absence of Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis, but still recognized their talent and considered it a tough win in a hostile environment. The game certainly had an intense vibe, as the Warriors had closed out their fourth title in eight years in the same building and the Celtics had previously dominated them in a 52-point win last year.
The TD Garden crowd made sure to remind Kerr of their feelings towards him, as he was booed throughout the game for his decision to limit Tatum's playing time during the Olympics. But the Warriors coach brushed it off, focusing on the game at hand. The rest of the boos were directed towards the referees, as the crowd took issue with some of the foul calls.
While it's important not to put too much weight on a regular season game, especially in November, this matchup against the Celtics was considered the Warriors' first true test of the season. And it didn't start off well, with the Warriors missing 10 of their first 11 shots. However, the Celtics were unable to capitalize and went on a five-minute scoring drought in the sloppy first quarter.
The Warriors then took control in the second quarter, winning it 32-16 behind a surprise performance from Kyle Anderson, who hit three consecutive 3-pointers to put Golden State ahead. By halftime, the Celtics, known for their 3-point shooting, had only made 6 out of 20 attempts and shot 35.1% overall. The Warriors' defense had forced them into 10 turnovers, with four coming from Tatum.
In the third quarter, Tatum found his rhythm and scored 17 points, but the Warriors' defense that had been so dominant in the first half suddenly faltered, allowing 41 points and a barrage of 3-pointers from the Celtics. The game was neck and neck heading into the fourth quarter, and Curry came back in with eight minutes left, showing that his minutes restriction had been lifted.
Curry's presence sparked an 11-2 run for the Warriors, who took the lead and never looked back. Even though the Celtics made a late push, the Warriors held on for the win, with key contributions from Kevon Looney and Buddy Hield. And despite a rough shooting night, Draymond Green hit crucial free throws in the final minute to seal the victory.
In the end, Tatum, who could have used this game to prove Kerr wrong, walked off the court with his head down as the Warriors celebrated their hard-fought win. It was a statement game for the Warriors, proving that their defense is indeed their identity and that they are a force to be reckoned with this season.
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