The Golden State Warriors learned that senior leader Chris Paul will be gone for the foreseeable future only moments after winning back-to-back games at home.
Paul fractured his left hand in Friday night’s 113-109 win over the Detroit Pistons and will need surgery next week. He’s anticipated to make a comeback this season.
“I feel for him, but at the same time, it’s next man up,” rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis said. “Chris never loses his voice, so being on the bench, being able to talk to us, that’s one of his biggest assets and something he won’t lose.” He’ll remain immersed in the game.”
Stephen Curry hit a pair of 3-pointers in the final 1:32 seconds to score 12 of his 26 points, emphatically responding to Bojan Bogdanovic’s go-ahead 3 with 1:41 remaining as the Warriors held on to upset the last-place Pistons.
With 6:08 left in the third quarter, Paul missed a 3-pointer from the right wing and rushed to try to get the long rebound when he collided with Detroit’s Javey. Paul took his hand and led him to the locker room.
Curry termed it a fluke injury, and it was only the latest in a long line of hand problems for the 19-year veteran. Curry praises Paul for always “giving everybody on the team something motivational or inspirational.”
“I guess in the short term hopefully he can be on the bench and be vocal,” Curry said in a statement.
Paul had started the previous four games but has also coached the backups this season.
“It’s going to take a collective effort,” said guard Brandin Podziemski, who might replace Paul in the starting lineup.
Cade Cunningham of Detroit knotted the game at 100 on a driving reverse layup with 2:10 remaining and finished with 30 points. He also scored five baskets in a row down the stretch to move the Pistons to 95-94 at the 4:20 mark of the fourth quarter.
Klay Thompson led the way with 19 points until Splash Brother Curry got rolling. Dario Saric chipped in with 17 points off the bench.Curry went 7 for 19 and missed his first eight 3-point attempts before connecting from the baseline with 2:58 remaining.
Jonathan Kuminga had 11 points and six rebounds in his 12th straight start during Draymond Green’s indefinite league suspension after the third-year forward didn’t play the final 18 minutes of Thursday night’s last-second loss to the Nuggets, which coach Steve Kerr attributed to Andrew Wiggins’ strong second-half play.
Golden State won this game just 24 hours after blowing a late 18-point lead after a 44-point third quarter and witnessing Nikola Jokic make a 40-footer as defending champion Denver won 130-127.
Kerr attempted to come to terms with what had transpired.
“There wasn’t a whole lot of sleep last night I can tell you that,” he went on to say. “That was the most difficult loss I’ve experienced since I’ve been here.” But that’s the NBA; you go through the 82, and there are nights like tonight where you can’t believe what just occurred.”
The Pistons (3-32) lost another close game as James Wiseman made his first return to Chase Center since being traded to the Golden State Warriors last February. When the big guy returned to the game in the first quarter, he was greeted warmly.
Warriors player Moses Moody felt the love from the fans as well, entering the game in the fourth quarter to a standing ovation after sitting out three straight games. There were chants of “Moody! Moody!” all game long.
Moody will be called upon to play more now.
Kerr was immediately concerned about Paul.
”I saw him holding it and instantly was worried. Just got the word after walking off the floor. “Obviously, guys will step up and be ready to play,” Kerr said. “We’ve got to hold down the fort without him.”
Golden State went 1 for 9 on 3s in the opening period and 3 of 15 by halftime before finishing 16 of 38.
