Short-handed Warriors, proud of effort, take chances vs. Wizards
Riding the momentum of an impressive performance as an undermanned visitor in New York on Sunday, the Golden State Warriors hope the potential return of three key players will help them snap a five-game losing streak at the expense of the host Washington Wizards on Monday.
Getting contributions from a total of four players on either two-way or 10-day contracts, the Warriors battled the Knicks to the final horn Sunday before falling 110-107 in the opener of a six-game trip.
The Warriors played without four injured players -- Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III, Al Horford and Moses Moody -- and three others who might return Monday on the second night of a back-to-back -- Kristaps Porzingis, De'Anthony Melton and Draymond Green.
Golden State managed to stay within striking distance of New York, an Eastern Conference contender, despite having to press two-way player Malevy Leons into the first start of his career and 10-day pick-up Omer Yurtseven into 13 minutes of action off the bench.
Even in defeat, Warriors coach Steve Kerr saw a lot of positives on the eve of a winnable game against the Wizards, who have dropped 11 in a row.
"The guys were amazing. I could not ask for anything more," Kerr told reporters after the game. "We're beat up and short-handed, but they keep giving themselves a chance to win and it's beautiful to watch. We're going to get rewarded for this."
The Warriors and Wizards will be dueling for the first time this season. They will meet again in San Francisco on March 27.
The Wizards have lost twice in the wake of their embarrassing 150-129 drubbing at the hands of Bam Adebayo (83 points) and the Miami Heat last Tuesday, but have been more competitive in doing so. After taking the Orlando Magic to overtime in a five-point defeat on Thursday, they came on strong late against the Boston Celtics on Saturday night before settling for a respectable 11-point defeat.
Most eyes have been on Trae Young, a four-time All-Star guard, as he attempts to find his game after a shocking in-season trade from the Atlanta Hawks. But at the same time, another "tray" - rookie Tre Johnson -- has emerged as a potential backcourt partner of the future for his namesake.
Johnson, the No. 6 pick of last year's draft, has played 20 or more minutes in seven straight games. During that stretch, he has notched 15 or more points three times, eight assists once and at least three 3-pointers three times.
Johnson has shot poorly the last two games -- going a combined 4-for-24 after having hit 19 of 38 his previous three times out. Wizards coach Brian Keefe, however, warned reporters last week to look deeper when assessing his improved play of late.
"You can just see him growing week to week, month by month," the coach said. "You, obviously, see the efficiency that he can shoot the ball, but I like how he has developed into a playmaker. Teams have adjusted to him because of the gravity that he has."
Young has benefitted from some of that playmaking in the last two games, totaling 26 points on 10-for-17 shooting as his minutes have been bumped up from 21 to 24.