Heading into Sunday’s Golden State vs. New York matchup, fans had little reason to think that the Warriors would be able to hang with no. 3 team in the Eastern Conference. After all, the injury-riddled Warriors had just nine players to field against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
To the surprise of viewers, the Warriors got off to a hot start, leading 35-21 at the end of the first quarter and going up by as many as 21 points in the second frame. On social media, fans expressed their disbelief that a Warriors squad sans key rotation players like Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Al Horford could perform as well as this. The Knicks, meanwhile, were on the receiving end of some mockery and criticism.
“Is this score real? Or is it an early April Fools joke?”
“This lineup is blowing out the Knicks right now, what a freaking embarrassment”
“I can’t believe this Knicks team is down to this warriors with this many of its stars out.”
“And these pieces of s*** still find a way to be losing this game so far”
“GP2 has two 3 pointers”
“The Knicks are down 19 to the AI generated Warriors. What is this defense???”
When the Warriors announced their starting lineup of Brandin Podziemski, Will Richard, Malevy Leons, Gui Santos, and Quinten Post, there was little to no doubt among fans that the Knicks (led by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns) would have a breeze on Sunday. However, the likes of Podziemski, Post, and Pat Spencer would get off to a hot start, allowing the Warriors to build some cushion before halftime.
“The Ball Is Everything!”: Warriors HC Furiously Yells at Will Richard After Failed Fastbreak Attempt
To the credit of Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, he continued to coach hard despite his decimated lineup for this game against the Knicks.
Late in the second quarter, with the Knicks cutting the deficit to 13, Warriors guard Will Richard failed to control the ball on a fastbreak attempt, leading to a turnover. Moments later, an animated Kerr yelled at Richard.
“The ball is everything!”
The Warriors may have been in a comfortable situation at that moment, but Kerr refused to let the teachable moment pass.
