Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Trading Willie Cauley-Stein to Dallas last week was virtually universally approved by Warriors fans; gaining a second-round pick and roster flexibility for a big man whom many view as ultimately replaceable was a coup.
And a vibrant white flag on a season that already was forfeited, really.
Again lacking the presence of a big man underneath to grab stray rebounds and unable to be the marksmen they need to be to compensate, the Warriors were no match for the Celtics in Boston on Thursday, falling 119-104 at TD Garden.
Golden State’s fifth loss in a row and 15th in 16 games saw them get drastically outrebounded, 51-30, with Gordon Hayward, Daniel Theis & Co. out-talenting, out-heighting and outdoing the Warriors in virtually every facet.
When the Warriors are at a talent and height deficit, they need to be shooting well. On this night, Boston was far better from behind the arc, going 15-for-35, as opposed to the Warriors’ 12-of-39. While D’Angelo Russell is often the only reason Golden State is in games, his 3-for-11 from deep helped bury them.
Golden State started poorly, down 17 in the first, and finished poorly. They did well just to hang around in the middle quarters, but hanging around is sometimes the best they can muster.
The second game of a five-tilt trip, with stops in Cleveland, Washington and Brooklyn coming, gave the Warriors a glimpse at the rejuvenated Hayward, who shot over the Warriors unless he was cutting backdoor on them. He had a game-high 25 points on 8-of-15 shooting.
Without Cauley-Stein, Marquese Chriss started and somehow grabbed just three rebounds in 23 minutes. Omari Spellman was a minus-8 and finished with three rebounds. Damion Lee, all 6-foot-6 of him, led the team in boards with seven.
Pasch-off
Even if you tuned in, you may have missed Eric Paschall’s presence.
The rookie was invisible and not resembling the force he was earlier this season. He was held bucket-less until the closing minute, his only pair of points previous to his jumper coming from the line, and got a single rebound in 23 minutes.
Early in the fourth, with the Warriors trying to mount a comeback, Paschall had a fastbreak layup that was swatted by Jayson Tatum. Paschall got little lift and looked tired.
He’s now 10-for-28 in his past four games. After a terrific start and then smacking into the rookie wall before buoying back up, he’s riding the rookie roller-coaster.
Starry blight
The Warriors will not be represented at the All-Star Game.
As obvious as that reality is to anyone who’s watched the team this year, it’s still another reminder of how quickly the dynastic run ended. Last year, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson were at the festivities — as was Russell, then a Net.
The reserves were announced Thursday, and while Russell has put up solid numbers, stat-stuffing on a bad team was not rewarded.
The team of All-Stars is now a team without All-Stars. Their 10-39 record will justify that.
Curry on Kobe
Curry will play this season, Steve Kerr told reporters before the game. He will return to a sport in mourning.
Curry joined the masses in eulogizing Kobe Bryant, lost Sunday in a helicopter crash.
“Not a lot that you can say about how much Kob meant on and off the floor,” Curry said on the broadcast interview. “You see the pouring of videos and the way he embraces kids every single chance he could. … Just love with each and every one of us. I mean, honestly this whole situation sucks. Pray for the family through this whole process that they feel comfort and support the best that they can.
“It hurts as a father knowing the hole he’s not able to fill anymore.”
Before the game, the TD Garden had a 24-second moment of silence in Bryant’s memory.
Steph Curry on Kobe Bryant's passing: "It hurts, as a father, knowing the hole he's not able to fill anymore."
Via TNT pic.twitter.com/2WaweN6IQi
— 🏀 NBA Latest 🏀 (@SwishCheck) January 31, 2020
