The Warriors knew they would face a re-adjustment period once Klay Thompson rejoined the fold. Well, that time is here.
Thompson made his triumphant return earlier this week at Chase Center and has played in three games with the Dubs so far. But he sat in Friday night’s game, as Jordan Poole started and scored 22 points in a 138-96 win over the Chicago Bulls.
Poole finished with a whopping plus-38 in his 29 minutes on the floor, as he went 8-of-19 from the floor and 5-of-9 from 3-point land. Despite playing without leading assist man Draymond Green, the Warriors found the offensive rhythm and energy which preceded their recent team-wide slump.
Poole’s explosion coincided with a (now) rare start. Following the game, Poole acknowledged that there’s a big process with the re-integration of Thompson. After initially rebuffing a question from a reporter, Poole shared his thoughts on the topic.
“We’re still trying to figure it out,” Poole said. “It’s different. I wouldn’t say it’s difficult. But it’s a change and I think we all were expecting it. We just gotta figure it out. We’re a really good team. We know that Klay’s a really, really good player. So just acclimating him back into the way we play. He’s been out for two years. A little bit of a different team than he had when he left. Just trying to put all the pieces together.”
Poole started the first 28 games he played this season but his role will change the most. Thompson’s addition affects the entire rotation for coach Steve Kerr, but Poole is expected to take on a key sixth-man role off the bench.
His primary role is to provide instant offense. In 30 starts this season, Poole is averaging 17.8 points in about 30 minutes per game. In six games off the bench, Poole is averaging 13.8 points per game in 23 minutes per contest.
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Steph Curry appeared to hurt his hand Friday when Lonzo Ball hit it trying to block a shot and he fell on it. He said he thinks he avoided a “bad” injury but still was wincing hard on the court.
“Anything that involves the hand, especially the right one, you get a little concerned,” Curry said. “But the feeling came back, the strength came back. It hurts but I’ll be all right. … I have some PTSD from two years ago when I landed [and broke it]. Felt kinda the same, but we’ll get it looked at and figured out. Should be all right.”
If Curry is healthy to play, Poole will likely be back to a bench role when the Warriors take on the Minnesota Timberwolves Sunday. There’s no signs of discontent, but Poole is clearly trying to adjust to his new role with the Warriors.
“I just played my game, I guess,” Poole said of Friday night’s success.
