What we learned as Warriors’ comeback falls short in loss to Thunder

What we learned when the Warriors’ comeback fell short in the loss to the Thunder originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

CASH SCORE

SAN FRANCISCO – Jonathan Kuminga looked rejuvenated as he returned to the Warriors’ starting lineup with 19 points, and Pat Spencer gave Golden State a burst off the bench, but it wasn’t enough as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat Golden State 105-101 in a showdown between the Western Conference’s two best teams on Wednesday at the Chase Center.

It was the first time in four games without Stephen Curry this season that the Warriors lost. The two-time NBA MVP is resting his sore knees, although coach Steve Kerr said hope Curry is ready for Golden State’s next road trip that begins Saturday against the Phoenix Suns.

The Warriors definitely need to get their star back after losing their third straight game to fall to 12-6.

Buddy Hield scored 17 and moved up another notch on the NBA’s three-point scoring list. Andrew Wiggins had 16 points and five rebounds, and Draymond Green added 10 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists.

Spencer came off the bench to help lead the point and had six points, four rebounds and three assists.

Oklahoma City led by 19 but needed to hold off a late Golden State rally in the fourth quarter as the two teams traded leads repeatedly.

The Warriors took a 96-93 lead with 5:45 left, but couldn’t keep the momentum going. Golden State fell behind by four points late and then cut the lead to 102-101 on Wiggins’ 3-pointer with 11 seconds left.

Here are the takeaways from Wednesday’s game:

Replacing Steph

Brandin Podziemski had the first opportunity to replace Curry, but it was Pat Spencer. a two way playerwho seemed to have the biggest impact while leading the point.

Spencer, who had only appeared in three games while logging just over four minutes of playing time, provided an instant spark with shots to the rim and kick passes to open shooters. Spencer had a good overall effort in 15 minutes and even received a technical foul for arguing with the referees after a foul.

Podziemski had his typical game and made a great play to take advantage in the first half.

Kuminga returns with a vengeance

In his first start since Oct. 27, Kuminga got off to a slow start and missed all four shots he attempted in the first quarter before heating up and exiting in the second quarter.

Kuminga hit a pair of 3-pointers before halftime, but energized the Chase Center crowd with his trademark powerful, emphatic shots down the lane. He also did some real damage to the Thunder when he rolled over OKC forward Jalen Williams, sending Williams to the ground. Williams did not come out in the second half.

Before the game, Kerr said he preferred to keep Kuminga on the bench to give the second unit a reliable scorer, but with the way he played Wednesday, the coach might have to reconsider that.

Moving up

Hield has done a good job filling the perimeter shooting void created when Klay Thompson left for Dallas via NBA free agency, and the 31-year-old’s jump shot was in excellent shape against the Thunder.

Hield scored a trio of 3-pointers in the first half to move into sole possession of 18^th place on NBA career list. Hield, who had been tied with Dirk Nowitzki, finished with five triples and needs one more to tie Jason Kidd (1,988) at 17.^th place.

Hield made 148 or more 3-pointers in each of his first eight NBA seasons and is on pace to surpass that mark again.

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