December 6th 2024.
On a chilly Thursday night in San Francisco, the Golden State Warriors faced a daunting challenge. With star players Steph Curry and Draymond Green sidelined due to injuries, the team needed to find alternative sources of scoring in order to break their losing streak and maintain their impressive record against the Houston Rockets.
Stepping up to the task was Jonathan Kuminga, who was inserted into the starting lineup for the sixth time this season. With determination and efficiency, the fourth-year wing delivered an impressive performance, scoring a season-high 33 points on 13-of-22 shooting and helping his team secure a hard-fought 99-93 victory. His teammate Andrew Wiggins also had a stellar game, contributing 23 points and nine rebounds.
The Warriors have a remarkable track record against the Rockets, having not lost to them since February 2020. This win extended their winning streak to 15 regular-season games, just one game short of the longest active streak against a single opponent in the NBA. They will have the opportunity to match the New York Knicks' 16 consecutive wins against the Detroit Pistons next week, when the two teams face off again in the NBA Cup.
The Warriors are hopeful to have Curry and Green back in the lineup soon, with coach Steve Kerr stating that they could potentially return for their next game against the Timberwolves. Both players were dressed in their team gear, with Green sporting a Golden State Valkyries jersey over his green sweats. This game marked the first time this season that the Warriors played without their two stars, but they were able to overcome this challenge and secure a much-needed win.
Despite missing two key players, the Warriors dominated the game from the start, quickly building a 15-point lead in the second half. Though the Rockets made a comeback and closed the gap to just two points, Kuminga's timely tip-in and a clutch Euro-step by Gary Payton II helped seal the victory for the Warriors. Curry and Green even rushed off the bench to celebrate with Kuminga after his final basket secured the win for their team.
The Warriors now have a 24-39 record when playing without Curry and Green, a testament to the depth and resilience of their roster. Wiggins played a crucial role in this win, scoring 12 points in the second quarter and helping his team maintain their lead heading into halftime.
Kuminga, who was starting in place of Green, made his presence felt from the very beginning of the game. He scored eight points in the first quarter and continued to lead the team in scoring throughout the game. Despite a slow start in the first quarter, the Warriors never trailed until the final minute of the period.
Overall, it was an impressive and hard-fought win for the Warriors, who were missing two of their key players. With this victory, they snapped their season-long losing streak and sent a clear message to the rest of the league that they are a force to be reckoned with, even when facing adversity.
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