After a rough first few months of this NBA season, the Golden State Warriors may start getting their groove back. They put together a five-game winning streak to get over .500, and although that winning streak ended on Wednesday with a 130-125 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, there is a newfound optimism surrounding the team.
When the Warriors defeated the Phoenix Suns 113-112 on Saturday, there was some trash talk between Draymond Green and Suns big man Jusuf Nurkic. Green was suspended for whacking Nurkic about two months ago, and after the game, Nurkic said that Green hadn’t learned anything from the incident and its fallout.
Stephen Curry fired back in the media, and Green did the same on his podcast by calling Nurkic a “clown.”
Phoenix is another team that has been surging lately, and Nurkic has given it some defense, rebounding, and inside toughness. He’s averaging 11.8 points and 10.2 rebounds a game and has even contributed 3.7 assists a contest this season.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors, Jusuf Nurkic, Phoenix Suns Updates
While Golden State has risen to 10th place in the Western Conference, the Suns have elevated themselves to fifth place, and they’re starting to take on the look of potential dark horse contenders.
The Warriors have had to deal with the decline of Klay Thompson, who clearly isn’t the player he used to be following his ACL and Achilles injuries a few years ago, as well as poor play from former All-Star starter Andrew Wiggins. But Wiggins has started shooting better lately, while third-year man Jonathan Kuminga has blossomed.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors, Jusuf Nurkic, Phoenix Suns Updates
Meanwhile, Curry is back on top of his game. In his team’s loss on Wednesday, he scored 41 points and hit nine 3-pointers, which put him in an exclusive club that he inhabits by himself.
Golden State will visit the Utah Jazz on Thursday before heading home for the All-Star break, which will end on Thursday of next week when it hosts the Los Angeles Lakers.
