Warriors Grind Out Road Win Over Nets, Bid Farewell to Key Coach
the Golden State Warriors secured a hard-fought 109-105 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night, improving to 17-16 on the season. This win followed a taxing game in Toronto and marked a notable moment as the team said goodbye to defensive coach Chris demarco. Let’s break down the key takeaways from this contest.
A Tale of Two Defenses
The Nets entered the game boasting the league’s best defense, having limited opponents to just 103 points per game over their recent 7-3 stretch in December. Brooklyn’s size – featuring four players over 6-foot-8 – was a key component of that success. Though, the Warriors flipped the script, outscoring the Nets 56-30 in the paint, a stark contrast to the 70 points allowed inside against Toronto.
Managing the Load & Finding Contributions
Recognizing the fatigue from the previous night, Warriors coach Steve Kerr utilized a deep 13-man rotation. This allowed him to manage starters’ minutes and provide opportunities for less-frequent players.
* Gui Santos, Pat Spencer, and Jackson-Davis all saw first-half action.
* Jonathan Kuminga remained a healthy scratch for the fifth consecutive game.
This depth proved valuable, contributing to a 59-57 halftime lead. Jackson-Davis, battling illness, provided a spark with 11 points and strong rim protection in 22 minutes. Butler then took over late in the third, scoring 10 straight points to propel the Warriors to an 89-85 advantage heading into the final quarter.
Key Performances & Strategic Adjustments
The Warriors’ victory wasn’t built on one star performance, but rather a collective effort. Several players stepped up in crucial moments.
* Trayce Jackson-Davis: Showed resilience despite illness,providing energy and interior defense.
* Andrew Butler: his late third-quarter surge was pivotal in establishing the Warriors’ lead.
* Gary Payton II: Returned to the rotation after resting against Toronto, contributing eight rebounds and a team-high +22 plus/minus. The team is carefully managing his return from an ACL tear, limiting his minutes and avoiding back-to-back games.
* Al Horford: Received a night off after playing in Toronto, also as part of a back-to-back management strategy.
DeMarco’s Departure: A Significant Loss
Beyond the on-court action, Monday’s game marked the final appearance for defensive guru Chris DeMarco as a Warriors assistant. He’s taking the helm as head coach of the WNBA’s New York Liberty.
DeMarco expressed immense gratitude for his time with the Warriors, reflecting on his journey starting with Mark Jackson in 2012 and continuing through four championship runs under Kerr.He’s now poised to lead one of the WNBA’s premier franchises, tasked with maximizing the potential of star Sabrina Ionescu.
Kerr acknowledged the profound impact DeMarco had on the organization, calling his departure “almost surreal” and praising his 12 years of invaluable contributions.”He’s kind of done it all,” Kerr stated.
Looking Ahead
The Warriors (17-16) conclude their three-game road trip with an early matchup against the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday. They’ll look to build on this hard-fought win and continue to refine their rotations as they navigate a competitive Western Conference.
This victory, coupled with the emotional farewell to DeMarco, underscores the warriors’ resilience and adaptability as they strive for consistency throughout the season. You can expect Kerr to continue prioritizing player health and strategic rotations as the team aims to solidify its position in the playoff picture.
