In today’s Dub Hub:
- Steve Kerr explains why the Warriors’ 115-113 win over the Rockets “felt like a playoff win.”
- Warriors reportedly called the Clippers about Kawhi Leonard’s availability before the trade deadline, per ESPN.
- Celtics star Jayson Tatum is set to make his debut against the Mavericks 10 months after suffering a torn Achilles.
The Golden State Warriors were massive underdogs entering Thursday night’s matchup against the Houston Rockets.
Already shorthanded without Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Kristaps Porzingis, the Warriors were dealt additional blows with Moses Moody, Will Richard, and Gary Payton II also unavailable. As a result, Golden State had to lean on its entire available roster for a nine-man rotation, including three two-way players: Nate Williams, LJ Cryer, and Malevy Leons.
The challenge was even greater
considering the opponent. The Rockets entered the night holding the fourth seed in the Western Conference with a 38–22 record while ranking among the NBA’s top five in both offensive and defensive rating.
On paper, everything pointed toward a difficult night for the Warriors.
But Golden State has a long history of thriving in Houston, and that familiarity seemed to fuel the group once again. The Warriors jumped out to a strong start, building a 30–20 lead after the first quarter. Houston responded and eventually erased the deficit, but each time the Rockets made a push, the Warriors had an answer.
That resilience ultimately pushed the game into overtime, where Golden State held its ground to secure a gritty 115–113 victory.
Afterward, head coach Steve Kerr explained the significance of Thursday’s hard-fought win.
Draymond Green helped set the tone for that kind of effort. The four-time champion brought defensive intensity throughout the night, battling Houston’s Kevin Durant while anchoring the Warriors on that end of the floor. Despite the injuries and adversity, Green emphasized that the team continues to hold itself to a championship standard — a mindset that has helped carry Golden State through this injury-riddled stretch.
For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Friday, March 6th:
Warriors News:
Kristaps Porzingis’ ‘mysterious’ illness and the Warriors’ uncertain future | ESPN
IN THE LEAD-UP to the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 5, the Warriors checked in on Jaren Jackson Jr., Giannis Antetokounmpo and were among the teams to make a call about Kawhi Leonard when it appeared the LA Clippers might be open for business, league sources said.
None of those deals materialized, so the Warriors pivoted to their backup option in return for the disgruntled Kuminga, who was on an expiring contract.
Gary Payton II ‘absolutely’ wants to play for Sonics if NBA expands to Seattle | The Athletic
So as speculation swirls about NBA expansion and bringing the Sonics back to Seattle, Payton II’s answer about bringing a team back to his second home was immediate.
“Request a trade to Seattle,” Payton II recently told The Athletic. “Probably.”
He (probably) isn’t kidding. The love for Seattle and the Sonics is still in his heart.
“Respectfully. I love it here so much. But if we do (have a Seattle team) when I’m still here, I definitely want to go back and play there,” he added.
Draymond Green details a recent text conversation with Steph Curry: ‘I know it’s tough, but promise you, I’m coming back’
NBA News:
LeBron James breaks Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s NBA record for career field goals | NBA
James hit a turnaround 12-foot jumper over Zeke Nnaji with 12 seconds left in the first quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers’ 120-113 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night to surpass Abdul-Jabbar’s mark.
“My name being mentioned with some of the greatest to ever play this game has always been humbling and pretty cool,” James said. “It’s a pretty cool thing. I grew up watching and reading, idolizing a lot of the greats. And if I ever was able to be a part of the NBA, I wanted to be in position where I could be named with some of the greats by doing something right.”
The record-breaking bucket gave James 15,838 career field goals in his unprecedented 23rd NBA season. Abdul-Jabbar had 15,837 baskets when the skyhook-wielding big man ended his 20-year career in 1989 as the NBA’s career scoring leader. Karl Malone is a distant third with 13,528 field goals.
Celtics’ Jayson Tatum available to play on Friday vs. Mavs
In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:
What if Kristaps Porziņģis doesn’t play for the Warriors again this year?
Golden State needs a big man, or possibly two. Trayce Jackson-Davis is gone, and Al Horford’s status is up in the air: he has a player option for next year, but it’s unclear if he’ll exercise it, return to free agency, or retire. Regardless, Porziņģis is an intriguing fit for the Warriors over the summer, and potential contract offers are surely something that Mike Dunleavy Jr. and the front office are already mulling over.
A post to end the week:
Follow @unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.
