It was only the 2nd preseason game for the NBA superteam this 71st NBA season. But the Golden State Warriors is already sending a message to the rest of the league.
On Kevin Durant's first game at Oracle Arena, the Golden State Warriors demolished their rival, Los Angeles Clippers, 120-75.
The Super 4 of the NBA superteam Warriors proved that they can co-exist on the basketball floor. Klay Thompson scored a game high 30 points in just 14 shots. Kevin Durant played an all-around game with 21 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 blocks. Draymond Green played his usually versatile game with 8 points,9 rebound and 5 assists. Stephen Curry finished with 14 points and 5 assists, per NBA.com. And each of the Super 4 only played under 25 minutes.
At the start of the game, Kevin Durant scored an open three-pointer from a pass by Steph Curry. But it was Thompson who shined at the opening period, scoring 10 big points. The Warriors had an 18-2 run that turned a 7-5 score into a 35-19 huge lead.
It could have been worst for the Clippers if not for ex-Warriors Marreese Speights who scored 10 points in the first quarter.
The Clippers could still come back to the game after the opening quarter letdown. But Thompson still has a hot hand to lead the Warriors in the second quarter annihilation, scoring 12 more points. The Warriors finished the first half with a gigantic lead over the Clippers, 71-33.
The Warriors entered the second half on an 18-3 run. With Stephen Curry's three on 6:50 mark of the third quarter, the Warriors had their biggest lead of the night at a score of 89-36. After that, Steve Kerr pulled his stars out of the floor and let others do the finishing blow.
After the game, Clippers' head coach Doc Rivers called out his team for not showing intensity into the game. During a postgame interview, he said, "I thought we showed up to play an exhibition game, and they came to play a game," per Dan Woike.
With a victory at Oracle Arena, the Warriors even their preseason record at 1-1. They will host the Sacramento Kings in San Jose on Thursday.
This is just the preseason. And this is just the 2nd time that we've seen the Super 4 played together. But the overwhelming favorite to win the NBA Championship this season already showed a glimpse of their greatness on the court. Can they live up to, or maybe surpass the expectations?
