Last game the Golden State Warriors lost to the Denver Nuggets who played without Nikola Jokic. Tonight, they decided to impart some of those lessons from the Nuggets. Without Stephen Curry, the Bay managed to shut down a prolific Milwaukee Bucks offense when they visited the Chase Center tonight. Jimmy Butler led the forces but to Steve Kerr, he did see some of his reinforcements make a return.
Notably, after missing 31 games, Jonathan Kuminga played in his fourth straight game. He didn’t have an efficient night. However, he did everything that coach Kerr would want from him in the 93-104 win. “Yeah, he’s still trying to find some rhythm but it’s a long absence. So he’s coming he’s playing hard, he’s playing with energy, he is getting us to the foul line he is doing some good things,” Kerr said about JK.
The 22-year-old sizzling forward shot just 2 for 10 from the floor. But he was able to put the Bucks’ defense under pressure, getting to the line six times. Only Jimmy Butler, a player Kuminga feels he can learn a lot from had more attempts than him for the Warriors. On the other hand, it seems not everyone takes time to find their game after an injury.
Brandin Podziemski returned from a lower back strain tonight against the Bucks and resumed playing with tenacity right away. Steve Kerr felt the few weeks of rest proved beneficial to the young guard. “Sometimes if you have a mid-season injury and it keeps you out a week or two, you come back really strong because you’re already in really good shape. But you get a little bit of rest and you come back with a lot of force and energy and you can see it right away,” he said about Pod’s performance.
Podziemski added 17 points while shooting 60% from the field. He was also alive and engaged defensively, getting five deflections to disorient the Bucks’ organized offense. For Steve Kerr, he got everything he would have wanted. Curry got much-needed rest after suffering back pain and the Warriors bounced back after an upsetting loss.
But the season is taking its toll on the team.
The Warriors are feeling the weight of the NBA season
In terms of health, the Golden State Warriors seem to be on a recovering curve at this moment. Stephen Curry got to relax and give his body some much-needed time to replenish avoiding a highly physical matchup. Furthermore, Kuminga’s return from a long-term absence gives Steve Kerr a deeper pool of players to choose from every game.
However, what remains a fact is that the NBA season is grueling. For any player, the rigorous traveling and constant games lead to wear and tear. And during the Bucks games, that’s what 24-year-old Quinten Post spoke about. With close to 70 games players, even recovery doesn’t completely wipe off physical strains players suffer.
Maybe not for Jimmy Butler who has only just begun playing at full intensity after his cold war with the Miami Heat. But for the rest of the Warriors, each game requires them to be resilient and play through their fatigue. “It’s a little rough, you know? I mean, we’re in game 70 of this season. Everybody’s a little banged up, but we play through it. That’s what we do—we’ve got a tough group, and we’re just pushing to keep it going,” Post claimed.
That’s the case for most NBA teams. But this is where having Jimmy Butler could yield great success for the Warriors. Usually, he can preserve the best of himself for the postseason even after playing games in the regular season. So is the case for Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.
Although age isn’t on their side, wisdom is the greater attribute. Playing through such tough stretches requires mental fortitude. The Warriors having such leaders and resonating voices can help motivate the young players and prepare them for the biggest stage of the NBA season.
Still, Kerr may have to walk with some caution. Curry and the other veterans can’t recoup at the same pace. Hence, even if their stronghold on the sixth seed isn’t firm, periodic rest for them may still be on the table.
