OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) – The Golden State Warriors displayed that familiar swagger, celebrated in front of the home crowd as they so love to do and got contributions on both ends of the floor from up and down the roster.
They were playing with the kind of joy coach Steve Kerr talks about when things just click.
“You see like the morale, like everybody’s shoulders are up and smiles, and just aggressiveness all over the floor” Stephen Curry said. “Whether that’s setting a screen, swing or cutting hard, all that type of stuff. When you create good shots that way, it’s fun for everybody.”
And he means everybody.
Before the Western Conference finals began, Kerr told his team this series against Portland might allow for more guys to play key minutes and have opportunities for the two-time defending champs.
Golden State’s bench players provided the perfect complement to Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green in Game 1 as the Warriors withstood the absence of Kevin Durant for another impressive win. The Warriors lead the best-of-seven series 1-0 after beating the Trail Blazers 116-94 on Tuesday night.
“Strength in numbers has been the motto for this team, and it’s been proven over the last couple of years,” reserve guard Quinn Cook said Wednesday after contributing eight points and a pair of 3-pointers in the win. “Obviously, we have the star power. But I think what makes this team so special is the guys who don’t get the recognition who come in off the bench and who put the work in daily.”
Kerr reiterated that the Warriors expect to know more ahead of Game 2 at Oracle Arena on Thursday about whether Durant can return during this series once he is re-evaluated.
He has noted that until Durant can do significant on-court work to test the leg he will not be ready.
