How Stephen Curry’s Warriors Game 5 vs. Lakers won
NBA Analytics NetworkThe Golden State Warriors were in a position they were not used to. They faced elimination…
The Golden State Warriors were in a position they were not used to. They faced elimination in Game 5 at the Chase Center, facing the Los Angeles Lakers with their backs to the wall. With Steve Kerr as head coach, Golden State has enjoyed great success in NBA playoff elimination games and Wednesday was another count in the win column.
The Warriors were able to stave off elimination at least one more game, winning 121–106. The tone for the game was set from the opening tip by none other than Draymond Green, who was aggressive from the start.
That aggressiveness can be attributed to a call from player development coach Jacob Rubin. He lit a fire under Green, telling him that his presence hadn’t been felt much against the Lakers.
“That comes across as aggressive on both ends of the floor. That’s verbal so everyone on the floor hears you. I felt a little disrespected when he said it,’ said Green. “I knew it was up to me to come out and set the tone for our guys. … The season is on the line, back to the wall. You have to come out and give it all you’ve got. That was my mentality.”
Green is more known for his defense and playmaking, but it was his scoring that took center stage on Wednesday night. He poured 20 points, went 7-for-11 from the field, 1-for-2 on 3-pointers and a perfect 5-for-5 at the charity streak.
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It was certainly surprising to see Green attempt so many shots considering he had only made 28 in the first four games and nine in the last two combined. He remained present on the glass, grabbing 10 rebounds to go along with four assists, two steals and one block in a well-rounded game.
“I think you just expect it in a situation like this where you get knocked out,” Kerrr said. “Draymond is one of the great competitors I’ve ever been to. So you just expect him to bring it. I didn’t say anything to him. He doesn’t need pep talks from me, that’s for sure.”
Green was one of six Warriors to score in double digits in the game. Stephen Curry led with 27, while Andrew Wiggins also threw in 25. It was a welcome change to see Curry not having to carry the burden himself, as Wiggins stepped forward with Klay Thompson struggling with his shot.
“This was the best game Wiggs has played since he got back” Kerr said about Wiggins, who returned to court on April 15 for the Warriors’ first game of the playoffs after missing two months due to a family matter. “We ask so much of him defensively, and in every playoff series he ends up on the opposing team’s best player. In this series, of course, that’s LeBron. And thank God we have Wiggs because he can play all night.”
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While it was certainly nice to extend the series with a dominant Game 5 win, Golden State knows their job is far from done. Green continues to set the tone, proverb, “Our work is not done. We are still facing elimination and we will be eliminated for the rest of the series. So must have the same mindset. Back against the wall, you have to come out fighting.
The Warriors head back to Los Angeles for Game 6 at the Crypto.com Arena. They are now 8–2 in elimination matches under Kerr as they always seem ready for the occasion when a good performance is most needed.
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Golden State could get a huge break depending on the status of Anthony Davis. He was hit in the head midway through the fourth quarter and reportedly felt dizzy and needed a wheelchair to get him into the locker room.
While no concussion has been named for Davis, his status is certainly up in the air. If he is sidelined, the Warriors’ chances of winning Game 6 and forcing a decisive Game 7 increase exponentially over the weekend. But you can bet they’ll be ready no matter who takes to the track in purple and gold on Friday night.
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