Warriors shoot down Hawks in riveting Double-Overtime, 143-141
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT PhilBoxing.com Tue, 03 Jan 2023
Klay Thompson poured in 54 points in a season-best performance, leading the Warriors over the visiting Hawks, 143-141, Monday night.
In dramatic fashion, Kevon Looney rectified a Thompson miss with an offensive board, and followed up his own miss with a last-second, game-winning, tip-in shot we will be talking about for weeks.
The unassuming Looney had his shining moment, posting 14 points, a career-best 21 rebounds, and 5 assists.
We can be sure Klay would not mind sharing the spotlight, for what matters with Golden State and their loyal fans is the all-around team effort as they improve to 17-2 at home and 20-18, overall, in this roller coaster season of theirs.
Thompson made 21-of-39 baskets and his ten 3-pointers matched his season high.
Klay made a trey with 18 seconds left in the first overtime after his trey with 1:55 to go in the first OT. His 54-point masterpiece was just 6 short of his career-best 60 points way back on December 5, 2016.
Every Warrior took turns effectively defending and scoring, so much so, that the home crowd were unable to discern who were the starters or bench warmers.
Jordan Poole dropped 28 followed by Kevon Looney 14, Anthony Lamb 17, Patrick Baldwin, Jr. 8, Donte DiVincenzo 8, Moses Moody 6, Draymond Green 5, and Ty Jerome 3 points.
Donte DiVincenzo showed poise as he grabbed a crucial offensive rebound then knocked down a game-tying 3-pointer with 0.6 seconds left in regulation to send the game into OT. Just prior to DiVincenzo’s own heroics, Thompson and Poole had consecutive misses from beyond the outer arc. DiVincenzo grabbed another important rebound with 1:23 left in the first overtime.
Jordan Poole sank a 3-pointer that pushed Golden State ahead 129-126 with 1:35 left in the first OT. Poole finished with 28 points, six rebounds and five assists to follow his previous 40-point performance in a 118-112 victory over Portland last Friday night.
The depleted Warriors squad were without Steph Curry (partial shoulder separation), Andrew Wiggins (adductor strain), James Wiseman and Jonathan Kuminga (ankle injuries), JaMychal Green (health and safety protocol)- all were at the sideline cheering for their team, all night long, as they extended their win-streak to five games.
Draymond Green added fuel to the fire finishing with 13 rebounds, 11 assists to go with his 5 points, including his only 3-point try with 43.8 seconds left in the second OT.
As a team, Golden State sank 54-of-122 baskets (44.3% FG), 19-of-59 treys (32.2% 3-PT), made more assists (35-30), made more points after turnovers (21-18) despite making more turnovers (19-13), and controlled the boards all-around with more offensive rebounds (23-10) and defensive grabs (46-43). They blew their largest lead of 21 points before halftime.
By contrast, a gutsy Atlanta team not only erased a 21-point deficit before the half but also kept up with the reigning and defending champions, almost stealing a win. In the third quarter, Atlanta rallied to tie the game at 95-all.
The Hawks made 53-of-109 baskets (48.6% FG), 11-of-35 treys (41.4% 3-PT), blocked more shots (10 to 6), scored more in the paint (72 to 58 points), and led by as much as 9 points.
Atlanta’s starting five posted double digits - D. Murray 25, J. Collins 25, D. Hunter 17, O. Okongwu 16, A. Holiday 5, and A. Griffin 2 points- with Bogdan Bogdanovic scoring 21 off the bench.
Trae Young’s layup tied the game, 141-all, with 8.2 seconds just before the Warriors sealed the win. Young, in an All-star-like game, made 4 free throws late in the first OT and posted 30 points and 14 assists.
Upcoming:
Golden State Warriors (20-18): Host the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night.
Atlanta Hawks (17-19): Visit Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.
Note of Appreciation:
Photos, stats and video are courtesy of the NBA and brought to you by PhilBoxing.com.
Aloha to fellow scribe and RCP Tom Macasaet who is enjoying the warm beaches of Hawaii along with his better half Cindy and their children Jasmine, Grace and Nathan.
