The Golden State Warriors opened the season 0-3 and gave up 123 points a night doing it, in losses to the Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies and Phoenix Suns. Nine days later they are 5-3, with wins in Denver and Minnesota and three straight at Chase Center. Here is what changed, by the numbers.
1. Stephen Curry is shooting like it’s 2016
Stephen Curry played four of the five games and averaged 33.3 points on 49.4% shooting, 47.8% from three (22-of-46) and 33-of-34 at the line. He went 8-of-8 from the field in Denver, scored 44 in Minnesota with a 16-of-16 night at the stripe, and put up 34 with a +21 in Monday’s three-point win over Phoenix. When Golden State needed a run, he was the run.
2. Yaxel Lendeborg became a real second option
Yaxel Lendeborg averaged 23.2 points across the five wins. He opened the streak with 31 points and 12 rebounds in Denver, added 26 in Minnesota, and then carried the Clippers game with 37 points on 13-of-19 shooting (6-of-11 from three) with Curry and Draymond Green both out. It hasn’t been clean every night: he had six points, five turnovers and fouled out against the Lakers. But the Warriors now have someone other than Curry who can win them a game.
3. The second quarter belongs to Golden State
The Warriors outscored opponents 170-110 in second quarters during the streak, a +12 average. That matters because they trailed after the first quarter in four of the five wins: by 4 in Denver, by 8 against the Clippers, by 12 against Phoenix and by 23 against the Lakers. That Lakers game is the template. Down 38-15 after one, Golden State won the second quarter 38-15, was tied at the half and won by 17.
4. The threes are coming in volume
Golden State made 90 threes in five games at 41.7%, including 22 threes in three separate games (Denver, the Lakers and the Clippers). It isn’t only Curry. De’Anthony Melton hit 6-of-8 from deep for 21 against the Clippers, Brandin Podziemski averaged 16.8 points over the streak, and Al Horford went 3-of-3 from three in Denver. Spacing like that is what gives Curry and Lendeborg room to work.
5. The defense closed a 13-point gap
In the three losses, Golden State allowed 123.0 points per game. In the five wins, that number is 109.6. The best example was the Lakers rematch: Los Angeles scored 95, shot 28.2% from three and turned it over 22 times, with Draymond Green chipping in nine assists and three steals. That is the same Lakers team that put up 127 on the Warriors on opening night.
The side eye
Two of the five wins were close. Minnesota came down to five points, and Phoenix to three, with Golden State leaning on 31-of-37 free throws to get there. The schedule stays friendly for now: Miami on Thursday, Orlando on Saturday and New Orleans next Monday, all at home. If the Warriors are still winning second quarters after that stretch, this stops being a hot streak and starts being who they are.
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