Friday night must have felt cathartic for the Warriors.
A total of 68,323 fans filled the Alamodome in San Antonio to set an NBA record, a football-sized crowd to make basketball history. The reigning champs put on a show. They also exorcized some demons in the process. They won on the road. They beat a team they were supposed to beat.
The Warriors also set a season high in points scored in the 144-113 blowout.
It seemed like more of a spectacle than a game. The Spurs commemorated their 50th NBA season and broke the previous attendance record by more than 6,000. Icons of yesteryear’s dynasty were in the house, including David Robinson, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and even Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who won two rings with Gregg Popovich in San Antonio.
"I got emotional before the game," Kerr told reporters. "They played the video and introduced me. To get an ovation from 68,000 fans -- it gives you chills. This was a really special night. The Spurs made it special."
The Dubs want to show that their contemporary dynasty run isn’t over. Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala are all still going.
What made Friday’s game so satisfying, though, was that everyone on Golden State contributed. Eight Warriors scored at least 12 points as they eclipsed the 143 points they scored in double overtime against the Atlanta Hawks a couple weeks ago. No doubt, it was the Warriors’ best road win of the season. Hell, there’s only been four of ‘em in 20 tries.
The buckets came easy against a young Spurs squad with the league’s worst defense. Golden State followed up its 40-point second quarter with a 41-point third quarter to make it a laugher.
Jordan Poole led the Warriors with 25 points off the bench, while Donte DiVincenzo added 22. Both players were familiar with the Alamodome, as DiVincenzo’s Virginia squad beat Poole’s Michigan team there in the 2018 NCAA title game.
"It was pretty electric," Poole said. "Really special occasion being able to play in front of the largest crowd in NBA history. Shoutout to the NBA, shoutout to the Warriors, shoutout to the Spurs for putting together an amazing event. And I'm glad we got the win."
The Dubs veterans look like they’re shaking off the rust.
Steph Curry sat out the entire fourth quarter and looks like he’s still getting in a rhythm in his second game back from his left shoulder injury. Curry finished with 15 points in 23 minutes. Andrew Wiggins (16 points) looked markedly improved with his activity on both sides of the ball as he continues to gain strength from his 11-game absence. Andre Iguodala is also firmly in Kerr’s rotation and looks like a defensive force. In his third game of the season, the 38-year-old threw down a dunk and hit a 3-pointer for good measure.
Look at the young legs on Andre ✈️ pic.twitter.com/1jpnxGRmqx
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) January 14, 2023
"Andre looks great," Kerr said. "He's so smart, he's so long, athletic and versatile defensively. Another passer, playmaker on offense. Whatever lineup he's out there with, he makes better."
The Warriors also have to be impressed with the aggressiveness from Moses Moody, who scored 12 points in 18 minutes and was in the right place at the right time. Anthony Lamb actually recorded the team’s highest plus/minus at +22 while Klay Thompson went 7-for-10 from the field and hoisted just three 3-point attempts en route to an economical 16 points. Everyone got a piece as the Warriors racked up 33 assists.
Golden State has to feel good about starting off the road trip with a ‘W’ to get the boogeyman off its back. The Warriors will face the Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers in the next week.
