Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Klay Thompson and Draymond Green injury updates; plus more

Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole (3) takes a shot against Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) in the first half at the Chase Center on Sun Jan 23, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 Talk about Draymond Green and Klay Thompson’s injury updates.

#2 The Warriors really started hitting those threes and limiting the turnovers against the Jazz.

#3 The Warriors will be meeting the Jazz again Feb 9. This could be an even tougher game than Sunday’s game was.

#4 Next up for the Warriors will be the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday. How do you see this game.

Barbara Mason does the Golden State Warriors podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors edge Jazz 94-92

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, left, tries to get the ball to the basket against Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley at the Chase Center on Sun Jan 23, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Edge Jazz 94-92

By Barbara Mason

After winning a buzzer beater courtesy of Stephen Curry Friday night against the Houston Rockets, Golden State (34-13) was back at Chase hosting the Utah Jazz (30-17) on Saturday night. This will be a tough game for the Warriors and they cannot afford the turnovers and the missed open shots that we have seen lately. The Warriors would just get by the Jazz 94-92.

The Jazz will play without Donovan Mitchell tonight out on concussion protocol but will have Rudy Gobert available despite some ankle soreness. Mike Conley is playing probably the best of his career and so the Warriors will have their hands full.

Both of these teams depend heavily on shots from downtown. The Warriors have recently struggled with three point shots and will need to start making those starting tonight against Utah. The Jazz are the highest scoring team in the league and will give Golden State a run for their money.

The first quarter was a high energy start from both teams. The Warriors led at the end of one 33-29. The Warriors were shooting at 54% and the Jazz 53% in this evenly matched game. The Warriors had four from downtown and the Jazz shot five.

Damien Lee had a crazy first half going 4 of 5 from downtown. Early in the second quarter the Warriors had taken a ten point lead 39-29. Damien Lee was a big part of this Golden State lead. The Warriors were moving the ball beautifully keeping the Utah defense off balance. What hurt Golden State were the empty possessions. The Jazz fought back to pull within two points and nothing about this game was going to be easy for either team.

Both teams were playing at a high level and as expected it was raining three’s for both teams. At the half the Warriors led by a single point 55-54. The Warriors shot ten from downtown and the Jazz had seven from beyond the arc. Lee was the Warriors point leader with 12 points and the Jazz’s Bojan Bogdanovic led with 15 points.

The Warriors needed to slow down Bogdanovic in the second half. They were protecting the ball having only four turnovers in the first half. This was a great first half for Golden State but there was still a lot of ball to be played.

It would prove to be a wild second half going right down to the wire. With eight seconds left on the clock the Jazz took a shot trying to tie up this game but the Warrior defense denied Utah. Golden State would win their second game in a row 94-92. The Warriors only scored eleven points in the fourth quarter but managed to come away with the win. The Jazz had a low scoring fourth as well with 17 points but just came up short.

Every starter for Golden State shot double digits, Poole being the high score with 20 points. Bogdanovic was the high for Utah with 21 points. This was a great win for the Warriors. The three’s starting dropping and the turnovers were kept to a minimum. This was exactly what the Warriors needed to win this game and they sure delivered.

Tuesday night the Warriors will take on the Mavericks at Chase. This will be another tough team with a lot of talent and it will be another exciting game. It seems as if Golden State really rises to the occasion when it comes to elite teams. Can the Warriors make it three in a row? We will find out Tuesday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Golden State Warriors game wrap: Curry hits game winner to beat Rockets 105-103

Curry Hits Game Winner to Beat Rockets 105-103

Things to do and places to go for Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, left chases after the basketball after committing a foul on Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. (3) at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Fri Jan 21, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Warriors (32-13) were still reeling from the loss last night to the Pacers when they went right into a back-to- back game against the Houston Rockets (14-32). The Rockets are a young team with amazing energy featuring Christian Wood and Kevin Porter Jr. The Warriors came away winning a thrilling just getting by the Rockets 105-103 at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday night.

Houston had a miserable start to the season but have picked it up and have won three of their last four games. Friday night the Rockets were aiming to make it four wins of their last five games at the expense of the Warriors.

After Thursday night’s game Golden State was looking to protect the ball and execute. Turnovers and miserable execution were their undoing.

The Rockets started the first quarter with amazing energy, and a strong fast start. They led30-24 after one. The ball movement for Golden State was sluggish and the turnovers horrendous.

In the second quarter it was more of the same for Golden State. They had 12 turnovers in the half and Houston scored 17 points off those turnovers. Execution was awful with the Warriors only scoring 43 points in the first half.

Playing this poorly against the worst defensive team in the league was not going to win many games. Houston’s Wood and Porter Jr. had really good quarters to start this game both with 12 points in the half. Houston led 54-43 after two quarters.

Forty-three points in a half for the Warriors is unimaginable for a team that customarily scores well over a hundred points a game. Golden State had a lot of work to do in the second half.

Golden State started the third quarter with more turnovers and they had to start taking this game possession by possession. Trailing by 15 points Stephen Curry and company needed points and stops. Mid-way through the quarter the Warriors got those points and those stops trimming the Rocket’s lead to 63-62.

The Warriors kept their foot on the pedal and with some greatly improved execution managed to stay on pace with Houston. After three quarters this game was about as tight as a game could be tied at 76. Golden State won the quarter 33-22.

The Warriors three’s were falling in the fourth quarter but they desperately needed stops. The shots that Houston was missing in the third quarter started hitting in the final quarter. It would come down to execution and stops in this game.

Houston started taking more three’s than Golden State and they were making them. With the score tied at 103, the Warriors had 5.1 seconds left to win this game. (There was exactly 5.1 on the clock in last night’s game) The baby-faced assassin Curry hit a two and the Warriors won 105-103 in this marathon. It was crunch time and Curry came through as he has so many times in the past.

Kevon Looney would finish with 12 rebounds. Curry had two pts which included the game winner and Jordan had twenty points. It just was another game winner for Curry. The entire team had to grind it out and they did just that.

Sunday the Warriors take on the Utah Jazz with a 5:30 PM tipoff.

Pacers Shock Golden State 121-117 in OT; Warriors lose six of last nine games

Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry (left) and Klay Thompson (right) go over some strategy to try and defeat the Indianapolis Pacers at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Thu Jan 20, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Pacer’s Shock Golden State 121-117

Thursday night the Golden State Warriors (32-13) had their 400th sell-out as they took on the Indiana Pacers (17-29). The Pacers are at the end of a back to back and unfortunately for Indiana they are four players short. They did have a win over the Lakers last night but lost a number of players in that game including Caris Levert who shot for 30 points.

The Pacers had their hands full in this game against the NBA leaders in defensive efficiency. The Pacers have lost ten of their last twelve games and with so many players sidelined a win will be a stretch for Indiana.

In the first quarter, the Pacers were able to keep up with Golden State. They came out with a lot of energy and would have to work hard to sustain that energy. Jonathan Kuminga had a great start to this game and continues to amaze. He was 5-6 from the free-throw line. Kevon Looney has had 10+rebounds in his last three game and already had four in the first quarter as did Kuminga. The Warriors led after one 30-23.

Despite being depleted the Pacers continued to play hard into the second quarter. The largest lead that the Warriors were able to establish was eight points. Coach Kerr gave a lot of minutes to the bench and after two quarters five bench players had entered the game. Kevon Looney had 9 rebounds and 9 points in the first half leading the team to a 63-55 half-time lead.

At 8:26 in the third quarter the feisty Pacers took the lead for the first time in the game 68-66. 14 turnovers in the game, too many of them in the third, did the Warriors no favors. After three quarters this game was tied at 83. A lot of credit to Indiana who looked nothing like a team who’s roster was depleted.

It got to be very tense in the fourth quarter. The Pacer’s Goga Bitadze was ejected with his second technical in a close encounter with Gary Payton. The Warriors continued with the turnovers giving the Pacers a four point lead 100-96 with under six minutes left in the game. Golden State had to start protecting the ball. As the quarter came to an end this game would go into overtime with the score tied 110 apiece.

More turnovers in overtime, and momentum in favor of the Pacers gave Indiana the shocking win 121-117. It was a tremendous effort by the Indiana Pacers. They took the perimeter away from Golden State taking away a lot of those three point attempts. The Warriors were even missing open three point attempts.

Stephen Curry finished the game with 39 points and once again Looney had a 10+rebound game and 13 points. There were just too many missed open shots and turnovers. This was one of the most difficult losses for the Warriors this season.

Tomorrow night the Warriors will be taking on the Houston Rockets. Tipoff is schedule for 7:00 PM.

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Prescott sorry for giving credit to Cowboys fans for throwing garbage at officials; Seahawks retooling ask to talk to Denver defensive coordinator; plus more

Dallas Cowboys fans throwing garbage and trash at NFL officials and Cowboy players after the Cowboys loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sun Jan 16, 2022 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington (Daily Snark news photo)

On Headlines podcast with Jessica:

#1 “Credit to them. Credit it to them” Famous last words from Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott after learning fans were not throwing trash and garbage at his teammates but rather to officials on Sunday after the loss to the 49ers blaming officials for not spotting the ball in time as time ran out and the Cowboys were eliminated from the post season. Prescott had since apologized on Tuesday for what he said.

#2 The Seattle Seahawks front office kept busy this week as they fired their defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr and defensive passing game coordinator Andre Curtis in what was the worst season for the Seahawks in more than ten years under head coach Pete Carroll. The Hawks have asked permission to speak with the Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Ed Donatell.

#3 According to head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers Mike Tomlin all options are on the table as his starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is presumed not to be returning for the 2022 season after 18 seasons as starting quarterback Roethlisberger will most likely be hanging it up and Tomlin will be searching for a new quarterback for next season.

#4 Golden State Warriors minority owner Chamath Palihapitiya (polly who said 15 minutes into an interview on Saturday that “Nobody cares about what’s happening to the Uyghurs, OK?” Palihapitiya continued saying “I’m telling you a very hard, ugly truth, OK, of all the things that I care about, yes it is below my line.” The Uyghurs Muslims are being are reportedly being persecuted and suffering from genocide in China according to the US Government. The Warriors embarrassed by the comments are reportedly keeping themselves away from Palihapitya and his remarks and sources say Palihapitya share of the team could be bought out depending on how much the team has to do damage control over the remarks.

#5 Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving re-enforced his no Covid 19 vaccine stance telling the media on Tuesday that his life outside of basketball is his choice not be vaccinated. Irving is not eligible to play in Brooklyn his home building the Barclay Center where the vaccine shot is mandated to be able to play.

Join Jessica for Headline Sports every other Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors Back On Track With Win Over Pistons 102-86

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) goes for the jump shot against the Detroit Pistons guard Corey Joseph (18) at Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue Jan 18, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Back On Track With Win Over Pistons 102-86

By Barbara Mason

After a most discouraging four game road trip, the Golden State Warriors (32-12) are back home for a seven game home stand. The Warriors lost three of the four games they played on this road trip. They lost to the Timberwolves, the Bucks and the Grizzlies: the only win being a punishing victory over the Bulls 138-96. Well they got another win punishing the Detroit Pistons (10-33) on Tuesday night at the Chase Center in San Francisco 102-86.

There is a lot of good news for the Warriors in tonight’s game. Of course being home is a plus, but the team will also have not only Stephen Curry back on the court but also Gary Payton II.

Payton’s status was upgraded from questionable to probable. He shared duties off the bench with Jordan Poole for extended minutes. The prediction for this game gives the Pistons less than a ten percent chance to win the game.

In the absence of Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga got the chance to start in this game tonight. He has earned it and will now get the experience of starting with Curry and Klay Thompson. He needed to continue to run the floor and keep it simple. He has been playing at a very high level and hopes to continue at the same pace against the Pistons.

After one quarter the Warriors had established a nice lead 33-22. They were shooting at 52% and had knocked down 6 of 10 from downtown. Andrew Wiggins had 9 points and Kevon Looney already had 8 rebounds in 9 minutes of play.

At the the half the Warriors led 66-38. The splash brothers had combined for 31 points, 21 of them from downtown. Thompson had a new high in a half with 17 points since returning to action. The Pistons Isaiah Stewart shot for 14 shots but his team just could not keep up with the Warriors. The ball movement, the three’s, the efficiency, and ball control were all working for Golden State.

Although the Pistons made a move in the second half it was too little too late. This game was all but finished at half time. The Warriors had built a tremendous lead that was insurmountable. The final was 102-86. The Warriors had won their 19th home game of the season.

Kuminga had his first double double of his career in this game. He finished with 10 rebounds and 12 points. Thompson had his best game yet since his return finishing with 21 points. Thompson certainly looks nothing like a player that has missed two plus years of basketball. It is nothing short of amazing. It was great to see the splash brothers back in action again. All in all the entire roster had a nice game after a tough stretch last week.

Thursday night the Warriors will play the Indiana Pacers in their only meeting at Chase. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Towns carries Timberwolves to finish line to beat Golden State

Minnesota Timberwolves leading scorer center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) takes a shot over Golden State Warriors forward Otto Porter Jr. (32) at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Sun Jan 16, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 Barbara, the Minnesota Timberwolves Karl Anthony-Towns was the key difference in the Timberwolves win over the Golden State Warriors on Sunday night at the Target Center 119-99 scoring 26 points and getting 11 rebounds.

#2 The Timberwolves Jaylen Nowell (17 pts) and Malik Beasley had (16 pts) both combined for five three pointers in the second half also making a big difference in beating Golden State.

#3 The Warriors allowed the Timberwolves to score 40-19 against them in the closing 16 minutes of the game and the defense simply looked out of place compared to other games where the Warriors had success.

#4 The Warriors who were without Stephen Curry and Draymond Green really depended on Jordan Poole (20 pts) and Jonathan Kuminga (19 pts) the Warriors dropped their fifth game out seven on Sunday.

#5 The Warriors trail the Phoenix Suns by 2 1/2 games in the Western Conference, Klay Thompson had 13 points on Sunday how much will the Warriors be leaning on Thompson on night when Curry and Green are out of the line up like they were Sunday?

Join Barbara Mason for the Warrior podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Weary Warriors Lose to Minnesota 119-99; Golden State has now lost five of last seven

Talk of the Towns, the Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) is thrilled after scoring against the Golden State Warriors at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Sun Jan 16, 2022 (AP News photo)

Weary Warriors Lose to Minnesota 119-99

By Barbara Mason

After crushing the Eastern Conference leading Chicago Bulls Friday night, the Golden State Warriors (31-12) played their last road game of this current series against the Minnesota Timberwolves (21-22) Sunday night. The Timberwolves froze out Golden State on Sunday night at the Target Center 119-99

The team will continue to play without Draymond Green who is expected to miss the entire month of January, a major loss for Golden State. The Warriors will also be missing Stephen Curry and Gary Payton in this game.

Curry suffered a hand injury in the game against the Bulls and Payton is dealing with back tightness. Three invaluable players not taking the floor will be a challenge for Golden State. The good new for the Warriors is the depth that they have on their roster. Klay Thompson will more than likely see more minutes in the absence of Curry and Payton.

After the first quarter, the Timberwolves led by the score of 30-22. The Timberwolves had scored twenty points in the paints while the Warriors were relying heavily on shots from downtown which were not dropping.

The Warriors needed to start hitting more mid-range points in the second quarter. Golden State was able to hold D’Angelo Russel to three points in the quarter and Anthony Edwards was held scoreless.

The Warriors were playing a very nice defensive game and none of the team was in foul trouble so there were some good things going for Golden State. In the later minutes of the quarter Anthony Edwards finally hit a shot from downtown.

This was one player that you did not want to get involved in the game. He can really dominate when he gets going. The three’s were not hitting for the Warriors going 5 of 22 as those woes continued.

As the quarter came to a close the Warriors had made a nice surge. They trailed by the score of 56-53 but had really starting heating up. Jonathan Kuminga and Thompson both had 11 points for the half. For the Timberwolves the high score was Karl-Anthony Towns with 13, the only Minnesota player with double digits

Knowing that the Warriors are a second half team the question would be do they have enough legs to finish off Minnesota. The Warriors would take the lead mid-way through the third quarter 68-64. The Warriors continued their great ball movement and defensive effort attacking the basket in the third quarter in a very tight game.

Minnesota got their first double digit lead of the game at the end of the third quarter. The Warriors had worked hard in the quarter to take the lead but the Timberwolves denied shot after shot with some great defensive play. Minnesota led 91-81.

This game was very tight through the third quarter but it all turned around in the fourth quarter and it was all Minnesota. Some questionable calls in the third quarter seemed to take the air out of the Warriors sails and it all seemed to fall apart.

It was a tough stretch for Golden State with Steve Kerr getting a technical in the midst of it. With under eight minutes left in the game Minnesota had taken a 105-84 lead.

This was a tough loss for Golden State. They had a rough time knocking down shots and the Minnesota 19-1 run in the fourth quarter just did the Warriors in. One of the bright spots for Golden State was the 19 shots from Jonathan Kuminga. The Warriors now come home, regroup and get that energy back. Right now there is no place like home for the Golden State Warriors.

The seven game home stand could not come at a better time. They will be taking on the Pistons Tuesday night with the tipoff scheduled for 7:00 PM. We will be waiting to hear of the status of Payton and Curry and will hopefully be seeing them take the court on Tuesday.

Warriors Provide Electric Play To Trounce Bulls 138-96

Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole, left, dribbles against Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu (right) at the United Center in Chicago on Fri Jan 14, 2022 (AP News photo)  

Warriors Provide Electric Play To Trounce Bulls 138-96

By Barbara Mason

After last nights game against the Milwaukee Bucks the Golden State Warriors were not entirely sure what they would be seeing from the Golden State Warriors going forward. The Bucks put the hurt on the Warriors in a blowout 118-99. At the half in that game the Bucks led by the score of 77-38.

Friday night the Warriors (31-11) took on another great team the Chicago Bulls (27-13). The Bulls are the leaders in the Eastern Conference and were probably pretty confident going into this game especially seeing what the Bucks had done to Golden State last night. Going into the game the Bulls were favored by four points.

We knew that it was just a matter of time before the Warriors shook off the funk they were in. We know what this team is capable of. What we saw in this game was a reversal of fortune. Golden State totally cleaned up the turnovers and the shooting in this game was a thing of beauty.

After the first quarter the Warriors led 37-28. In the second quarter it was the Warriors who took a significant lead into the locker room 78-47. Instead of giving up 77 points in the first half, Golden State scored 78 points.

Andrew Wiggins had 20 points at the half followed by Jordan Poole with 15. Jonathan Kuminga and Stephen Curry both had double digits. With only two turnovers in the game and 11 of 24 from downtown plus shooting at 57% it was clear that the Warriors were on a mission.

The Warriors had held the Bulls to 45% shooting and forced eleven turnovers which turned into 21 points for Golden State. There was a bit of a scare in the second quarter when Curry fell on his hand and favored his wrist for a bit.

He was able to shake it off and it appeared that he suffered no ill effects from the fall. Going into the third quarter the Warriors kept the pressure on the Bulls. Four of the Warriors starters had shot in double digits mid-way through the quarter.

Kevon Looney had a double double with 11 rebounds and 10 points. It was an amazing turnaround for the team. It was Warrior basketball at it’s finest. It was all Warriors through three quarters. When they should have been fatigued from back to back games, the Warriors were sharp and refreshed and showing not a sign of lethargy or weariness.

As the third quarter came to an end the Warriors were still tearing it up 112-72 for a 40 point lead.

In the fourth quarter it was Jonathan Kuminga who was attacking the rim like a pro shooting for 23 points. This was as complete a game offensively and defensively as one could ask for. In the fourth quarter Curry went to the locker room to have his hand evaluated. He returned without a wrap on his hand and appeared to be just fine. The final was 138-96 in a blowout.

Off the bench Kuminga had 25 points in an excellent game, his best of the season. Starters Poole had 22 and Andrew Wiggins had 21. They finished with only seven turnovers.

“We needed this win, it was important. We’ve got to be strong and show them what we are about,” said Wiggins after the game. “We have a lot of guys who can dominate,” he said.

The Warriors will be taking on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday to end their road trip. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM. Golden State will head home after this game for a 7-game home stand.

Bucks cruise past Warriors 118-99; Golden State has now lost four of last five games

Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry attempts to find a teammate to pass to against the Milwaukee Bucks’ Bobby Portis and Wesley Matthews at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on Thu Jan 13, 2022 (AP News photo)

Bucks Cruise Past Warriors 118-99

By Barbara Mason

It is not a happy time for the Golden State Warriors (30-11) of late. In their last four games they are at the bottom of the NBA for offensive rating, points per game and three-point FG.

They are averaging 95.5 points per game, they are shooting 25% from downtown and the offensive rating is 95.5. Very un-Warrior-like play; they are struggling right now immersed in a true winter chill. That chill continued like frozen bricks as Golden State lost their fourth out of five games 118-99 to the Milwaukee Bucks (27-17).

Thursday night the Warriors were facing yet another challenge traveling to Milwaukee to play the Bucks. The world champs are led by superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and once again Golden State will be missing Draymond Green out with a left calf issue. He is doubtful for the remainder of their road trip. This is a big loss for Golden State; taking the court without the defensive prowess and leadership that Green provides.

The Bucks came into the first quarter in a perfect start for Milwaukee. They established an early lead 37-21. In the early part of the second quarter the Bucks were shooting 62% to the Warriors 37% and Golden State was getting drummed out of the building.

They were four of 20 from downtown, missing open shot and had those turnover issues once again. It seemed that the Bucks could hardly miss a shot in the first half. They led 77-38 at the half and continued to shoot 62% while the Warriors could only manage 27% shooting by the end of two quarters.

Not a single Warrior had double digits at first half’s end while the Bucks had four players, Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis and Grayson Allen shooting at will practically unable to miss. These guys were going crazy having the time of their lives at the expense of Golden State. It was an unbelievable deficit going into the third quarter.

Mid-way through the third quarter two Warriors finally reached double digits. Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins had 10 and 14 respectively. By third quarters end the Warriors had cut their deficit to 97-72. They had really dialed their game up winning the third quarter 34-20. While it was too little too late it was certainly a positive in an otherwise disastrous game for the Warriors.

The Warriors went on to win the fourth quarter outscoring the Bucks in the second half by 20 points. When you allow 77 points in the first half odds are that you have little to no chance to come away with a win.

Curry, Wiggins, and Klay Thompson all had double digits and off the bench Jonathan Kuminga had a great game with 15 points in 19 minutes. He continues to improve and is showing a lot of promise,

The Warriors continue their road trip taking on the Chicago Bulls Friday night. Tipoff is schedule for 4:30.