Jonathan Kuminga was the Warriors’ hottest offensive performer, scoring 15 of his game-high 29 points in the second quarter to power a 121-101 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday at FedExForum.
Stephen Curry, who was named a Western Conference All-Star reserve Thursday, finished with 20 points and six assists. Klay Thompson scored 14 points in his return from a game missed due to illness.
Brandin Podziemski recorded 12 points, seven rebounds, and a career-high 14 assists. His assists are the most by an NBA rookie this season, and the most by a Warriors rookie since Ky Bowman had 11 nearly four years ago.
Unlike their previous meeting on Jan. 15, when the short-handed Grizzlies couldn’t miss from the perimeter and comfortably handled the Warriors, Golden State seized control early Friday and kept a comfortable lead for the majority of the night.
The Grizzlies were once again below full strength, but unlike a few weeks ago, they did not have big performances off the bench. GG Jackson, who scored a career-high 23 points and five 3-pointers in Memphis’ Jan. 15 victory, was restricted to one point in 16 minutes in the rematch.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
The Warriors (21-24) still had defensive concerns. The Grizzlies (18-31), who made 20 three-pointers in the first game, again had easy looks from the outside, shooting 14 of 46 from beyond the arc.
Golden State’s first of five games in seven days, which is likely why coach Steve Kerr went deep into his bench, giving seldom-used guys like Gui Santos and Lester Quinones some reps. Quinones recorded a career-high 10 points and six rebounds, while Santos contributed four points.
Here are the takeaways from the Warriors’ 20-point victory.
Kuminga’s streak hits a milestone
Kuminga’s scoring explosion in the last month has been a nice boost to Golden State’s offense. The Warriors have been looking for a steady supporting scorer to Curry all season, and the 21-year-old forward has delivered, while Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins have been inconsistent.
Kuminga, who added six rebounds, has now scored in double figures in 25 straight games, including the previous eight with 20 or more. It’s the longest double-digit scoring streak by a Golden State player under 22 years old since Monta Ellis did it in 48 straight games during the 2007-08 NBA season.
JK’s current style of play has muted much of the criticism that has accompanied him from the beginning of his career. It also explains why owner Joe Lacob is unwilling to part ways with the phenom as the trade deadline approaches.