The Golden State Warriors dropped their third straight game on Thursday night, falling 118-111 to the Cleveland Cavaliers at Chase Center. The loss stings. What is coming on Sunday has the locker room buzzing.
Gui Santos was asked about the excitement level surrounding Stephen Curry‘s expected return. He did not hold back.
For Santos, there was only one way to describe it.
What Santos Said About Curry’s Return
Santos scored 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting in Thursday’s loss, one of the few bright spots on a difficult night. After the game, the conversation quickly turned to Curry.
“You cannot measure it, brother,” Santos said. “We’re very, very happy to have him back. Steph for me, the greatest of all time.”
It is the kind of quote that captures the mood inside the Warriors facility right now. Curry went through his second live scrimmage on Thursday, and all signs continue to point toward a Sunday return against the Houston Rockets. Steve Kerr stopped short of making it official but left little doubt about what he saw from his franchise player.
“He’s pretty good,” Kerr said. “He looks like Steph Curry.”
That is all the Warriors needed to hear.
Gui Santos on the excitement level to get Steph back
How Thursday Unfolded for the Warriors
The loss itself was a frustrating one. Golden State trailed by as many as 13 points and looked headed for a blowout before rallying back. Back-to-back threes with eight minutes remaining gave the Warriors their first lead since the opening minutes, and the game came down to the final minute before Cleveland pulled away.
Santos and Brandin Podziemski were the two 20-point scorers, each finishing with 25 points. Podziemski scored 18 of his 25 in the second half. Santos scored 16 after halftime. Kristaps Porzingis added 16 points and seven rebounds while Draymond Green fell just short of a triple-double with eight points, nine rebounds, and nine assists.
The shooting from three was the story. Golden State went into halftime making just 22.2 percent of their three-point attempts. The second half was only marginally better, with the Warriors shooting 27.3 percent from beyond the arc on the night. Donovan Mitchell scored 25 for Cleveland, Max Strus added 24, and James Harden contributed 19.
Why Sunday Matters
GettyStephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors.
Golden State has now dropped three straight and fallen to 36-41. The play-in tournament is still locked in, but the path is getting no easier. Curry’s return cannot come soon enough.
The three-point shooting numbers tell the story of what his absence has meant. Curry’s presence alone changes how defenses approach this team. Shots that are contested with him off the floor open up considerably when he is on it. Thursday was another reminder of that reality.
Pat Spencer provided a spark off the bench with 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting in 16 minutes, and his role once Curry returns will be worth monitoring. LJ Cryer hit three straight triples in the second half to keep the Warriors in it. The depth has been admirable throughout this stretch. It has not been enough.
Sunday is the target. Kerr will not make it official until he is certain. But the scrimmages have gone well, the signs are encouraging, and Santos already knows exactly what it will mean when No. 30 walks back onto the floor.
Final Word for the Warriors
Santos called Curry the greatest of all time. He said the excitement cannot be measured.
Three straight losses. A play-in tournament looming. A franchise player on the verge of returning after 27 games away.
The Warriors need Curry. Sunday cannot come soon enough.
Warriors Get Major Quote on Steph Curry Ahead of Sunday Return