Keep up with all the action with live updates and scoreboard statistics as the Golden State Warriors take on the San Antonio Spurs in Game 2 of their NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals.

The biggest game-changing event in the Warriors’ Game 1 double-overtime loss to the San Antonio Spurs was probably the moment guard Klay Thompson fouled out.

What unfolded afterward was almost too tough to watch.

THOMPSON: “It was killing me to watch from the sidelines. I’ve got to be smarter than that. I play aggressive, but maybe limit to three or four fouls a night, just for the sake of our team because I need to be out there.”

But the Warriors weren’t missing Thompson’s to-die-for jumper. They were missing his defense. As soon as he came out, San Antonio guard Tony Parker took over the game.

Thompson has become Golden State’s defensive stopper. His ability to play on-ball defense keeps the Warriors from having to switch and double-team, a big bonus for Golden State’s scheme. He has been especially adept at defending smaller quicker point guards. He was effective slowing down Denver’s Ty Lawson. Monday against the Spurs, he gave Parker fits.

Read the rest of this entry »

Stephen Curry is the first Warrior on the cover of Sports Illustrated in more than 15 years.

The Warriors point guard is pictured on the popular magazine regionally this week, shooting a jumper with the Oracle Arena faithful in the background.

The last time Golden State was on the Sports Illustrated cover was December 1997, when All-Star guard Latrell Sprewell choked coach P.J. Carlesimo. The last time they were on the cover for on-court performance was in December 1980 when Lloyd “World B.” Free was featured.

So if Curry has a rough shooting night, would the SI jinx be to blame? The last time the Warriors were the cover, they went through a 16-year All-Star drought.

Stephen Curry didn’t even have full control of the ball. Trying to execute a crossover, he lost the handle for a second and the ball rolled to his left. Curry, a step inside the 3-point line, picked it up and immediately hoisted at three. And there was no doubt in his mind it was going in.

CURRY: “I was feeling good. The easy answer say I practice that over the summer … Ask the coach to throw a bunch of bad passes, or in a drill just mess up a dribble move and pick it up.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Warriors All-Star forward David Lee will be active during the San Antonio series. That in and of itself is a feat.

He is supposed to be out for the year. His right hip flexor was completely torn after an awkward land in the fourth quarter of Game 1. But not even two weeks later, he was back on the court. How is that possible?

Mark Jackson calls it a miracle. Stephen Curry calls it inspirational. David Lee calls it him doing whatever he can for his team. Many others will call it a reason to be mad at Derrick Rose. Here are the details, so you can call it what you want.

Read the rest of this entry »

Admittedly, I underestimated Stephen Curry in the Denver series. I also overestimated the Nuggets. But I picked Denver in six mostly because I figured Curry could get 30 points and the Warriors still lose. It’s happened before.

What I didn’t account for was the impact stars make in playoffs series, good and bad. Their ability to change games, seize momentum, do the prolific, it matters so much more in the postseason. It’s not that Curry can score, it’s that he impacts nearly every single aspect of the game: how the opposing defense responds, the amount of pressure on the opposing offense to score, the confidence of the supporting cast, the looks they get, the adrenaline and feel good that helps on the defensive end, the momentum they create.

That’s what stars do in the playoffs. And Denver didn’t have that.

Such is factored into my prediction for this series: Spurs in 7.

My first impulse was to say San Antonio in five games. But I can’t shake the feeling the Warriors will win one in San Antonio. Why? Because that’s the type of thing stars pull off. And if the Warriors win one in San Antonio, this isn’t the route many are expecting. In the first meeting here, on Jan. 18, the Warriors trailed by 4 inside of three minutes – without Curry (Spurs didn’t have Manu Ginobili). In the second matchup at San Antonio, March 20, Golden State trailed by 4 inside of four minutes left. So both games were close. It’s not like this Warriors’ team can’t win in San Antonio.

Golden State is 2-0 against San Antonio in Oakland. Andrew Bogut didn’t play in either game, and Oracle wasn’t the ridiculously raucous arena it has been for the playoffs. Still, San Antonio is good enough to get one in Oracle. Especially if the Warriors steal one of the first two in San Antonio and put the Spurs in must-win mode. But will their role players be as good in such an environment?

Even if the Warriors lose the first two in San Antonio, I can certainly see the Warriors going 2-0 at Oracle and heading back to San Antonio for a pivotal Game 5.

Another reason I think this series will be close: Manu Ginobili is not the same Ginobili. He’s good enough to torch the Warriors for a big game. But over a seven-game series, his injuries and age might get the best of him. I certainly see the Warriors being able to manage him. If so, who’s the third scorer for the Spurs. It could be one of five people. But if the Warriors stay home, not fall into trapping and doubling so much, those extra guys can be held in check. After Ginobili, they’re relying on Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green and Gary Neal for offense. So if Bogut can guard Tim Duncan and keep the Warriors’ defense honest, and Klay Thompson can hold his own against Tony Parker, the Warriors are not in bad position.

Here is an in-depth look at the match-ups:

Read the rest of this entry »

Golden State Warrior beat writer Marcus Thompson II will host a live chat from San Antonio as the Warriors prepare to take on the Spurs in Game 1 of their NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals.

Clear here for all of the new renderings.

By Marcus Thompson II

mthomps2@bayareanewsgroup.com

OAKLAND — It might’ve taken all the defibrillators in the Bay Area to revive the nearly 20,000 fans at Oracle Arena whose hearts stopped Thursday.

Golden State nearly squandered an 18-point lead, and another star-like performance from point guard Stephen Curry — who changed the tide of the game with another big third quarter before his home crowd. But in the end, after a compilation of turnovers, guard Jarrett Jack made a pair of free throws in the final seconds to seal the 92-88 win over the Denver Nuggets, clinching the riveting first-round upset, 4-2.

The sixth-seeded Warriors advance to the second round against the No. 2 San Antonio Spurs. Game 1 is Monday in Texas.

“When we were down in the first half,” coach Mark Jackson said. “I pulled him aside and said, ‘There’s going to be a point in this game where you’re going to take over because you’re the best player on the floor. And what will happen is everybody else will follow you. And sure enough …”

Read the rest of this entry »