By: Ben Leonard
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The Warriors wanted to send a message after falling to the Atlanta Hawks (53-15) in February, only due to Atlanta’s unsustainably hot shooting. They sent a powerful one to the entire NBA on Wednesday night at Oracle Arena, trouncing the NBA’s second-best team 114-95 and moving to an NBA-best 54-13.

Even without star guard Klay Thompson, the Warriors still thrived. As Andre Iguodala put it in a post-game interview on CSN-Bay Area, with Thompson “out…we knew we had to make three or four passes….[something that was] just working for us tonight.” Even though the Hawks sold out to double team Curry, the Warriors succeeded in “rel[ying] on one another to make tough shots.” The Warriors had five players in double figures, including two bench players, Leandro Barbosa and Iguodala, the latter scoring 21 in a winning effort.

Even without Thompson and Curry being played tight, held to *just* 16 points, the Warriors managed to play patient basketball and take good shots, making 52.4% of their field goal attempts. They did not have to rely on their stars to take the victory, all the more impressive for Golden State.

For Igoudala, this game was no different than any other, unlike many who were looking forward to this marquee matchup: as he described it, “every team is the same.” After the “Lakers…almost got us [Golden State],” Igoudala and the Warriors had to treat every game the same. Iguodala certainly put a good effort in on Wednesday, throwing down an impressive dunk on a fast break midway through the second quarter.

Small forward Harrison Barnes was also key in the Warriors’ victory, scoring 25 points while making 11 of his 13 field goal attempts. He took advantage of the easier matchups the Hawks handed him, passing the ball when needed and showing good shot selection.

The Warriors set the tone early, with center Andrew Bogut containing the dangerous Al Horford, holding him to just 8 points. Bogut might not have scored any points, but his presence down low, grabbing 14 rebounds, was instrumental in the victory. Bogut altered the dynamic of Atlanta’s offense, and keyed the victory for Golden State. The result was never in doubt for Golden State, who controlled the game throughout.The Warriors rose to the moment on Wednesday, trailing only in the early stages of the game.

Watch out, NBA. The Warriors are hungry for more.