The Golden State Warriors’ irritating season continued on Tuesday night time, as they have been handed a shock defeat by the Oklahoma City Thunder, 137-128, regardless of 40 factors from Steph Curry in his second sport again from damage. After 5 straight wins, they’ve now misplaced two in a row and are about to embark on a troublesome four-game stretch that would decide whether or not they’re a play-in staff or not.
If they need the reply to be no, they are going to want some improved play from Jordan Poole, who had one other stinker in opposition to the Thunder and has actually struggled for the reason that All-Star break. He completed with 11 factors on 4-of-12 capturing from the sector, and to make issues worse he was concerned in two weird moments.
The first got here with lower than a minute remaining within the first half. Poole tried to go to work on the wing, however was lower off and compelled to select up his dribble. As he did so, Draymond Green flashed to the center of the ground and referred to as for the ball. Poole both did not see him or did not assume he had the angle for the move, so he threw it to Klay Thompson as an alternative. Green, upset about not getting the ball, then turned his again on the play and walked off, proper as Thompson was about to move it to him.
Later on, with the Warriors trailing by three early within the fourth quarter, JaMychal Green was referred to as for an offensive foul. Poole had the ball on the time, so he threw it to the referee. It gave the impression to be a standard bounce move with none further drive, and went straight to the official. But for no matter cause, the ref felt Poole crossed a line, and hit him with a technical foul.
While Poole maybe ought to have tried to search out Green, that sequence was on the veteran. Likewise, he did not do something fallacious on the technical, which ought to be rescinded. But even when these two particular performs weren’t on him, his poor kind in latest weeks is a matter he wants to repair.
This has been a making an attempt, drama-filled season for Poole since earlier than play even started. He was punched within the face by Green throughout coaching camp, signed an enormous contract extension, which introduced with it elevated strain and expecations, and has had his function altered on a frequent foundation attributable to Curry’s damage issues.
But even accounting for these exterior components, this has been a disappointing season for the younger guard. His scoring common is up barely — 20.7 factors from 18.5 — because of the next utilization charge, however he is been much less environment friendly and is popping the ball over extra. Since play resumed from the All-Star break, issues have been significantly tough. In the Warriors’ final eight video games, Poole is averaging 18.5 factors and 4.9 assists, however is capturing 33.3 p.c from the sector and 25.4 p.c from 3-point land on 8.4 makes an attempt per sport.
Poole’s expertise will not be in query, and he confirmed final season throughout the playoffs that he can carry out on the highest stage. But if he cannot recuperate his outdoors shot, there will not be many huge video games for him and the Warriors to play in. They have only a half-game lead within the race for the sixth and last assured playoff spot, and are solely 2.5 video games forward of the Eleventh-place Thunder.
