Golden State Warriors Andrew Wiggins (left) goes for an underhand shot against the Philadelphia 76ers Paul Reed (right) in the first half at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Wed Feb 7, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

After scoring the fewest points (15) in the first quarter, the Golden State Warriors woke up and routed the Philadelphia 76ers 127-104. The Warriors beat the Sixers in San Francisco on January 30th. In that game, the Sixers’ star big man, Joel Embiid, tore his meniscus and had to leave the game.

Embiid will have surgery to repair the tear, and it is unknown how long Embiid will be on the shelf. As a result of Embiid not being in the lineup, the Sixers have lost six of the last seven games played. With the win, the Warriors have won four of their last five games and are 3-1 on the current five-game road trip. The Warriors won their tenth game on the road this season. Last year, The Warriors won 11 and lost 30. 

The Warriors could not generate any offense in the first quarter, and the Sixers won the quarter 22-15. Warrior guard Stephen Curry connected on a three-point shot and was fouled. Sixers’ coach, Nick Nurse, challenged the foul, and the call was reversed. Curry three was taken off the board, and the referees charged Curry with an offensive foul. 

In the second quarter, the Sixers increased the lead to ten, 27-17. The Warriors offense came to life as the Warriors went on a 10-0 run to tie the game 27-27. Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga paced the Warrior attack, and the Warriors finished the first half with a three-point advantage, 48-45.

The Warriors outscored the Sixers 33-23 in the second quarter. Kuminga and Wiggins had 11 points each. The Warriors’ big Three, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, and Curry, put seven points on the board in the first half. Thompson had five, and Curry did not make a basket from the floor. Curry made two free throws. 

The Warriors blew the game open in the third quarter. The Warriors scored 43 points, while the Warriors’ defense held the Sixers to 23. To start the third period, the Warriors went on a 25-7 run. Thompson, Wiggins, and Curry all made shots. The Warriors led 91-68 at the end of the third quarter.

The Dubs led by thirty, 101-71, after Thompson connected on a three.    

The Warriors’ head coach, Steve Kerr, pulled his starters from the game. Dario Saric, Lester Quinones, Cory Joseph, Gui Santos, and Moses Moody were on the floor to finish the game. The Warriors won 127-104.

Game Notes: With the win, the Warriors improved to 23-25. The Sixers fell to 30-20.

Wiggins had a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Wiggins played well on both ends of the court. Thompson and Kuminga each had 18. Curry finished the night with nine. Every Warrior player that went onto the court scored. Lester Quinones led the bench with 13 points.

As a team, the Warriors shot 50% from the floor. The Warriors knocked down 16 three-point shots. The Warriors pulled down 59 rebounds, and the offense recorded 30 assists. The Warriors had seven steals and eight blocks. 

The Sixers Ricky Council led his team with 17. Tobias Harris (13), Kenyon Martin (15), Patrick Beverly, and Tobias Harris each had 13. Former Warrior Kelly Oubre put 11 on the board. 

The Warriors finish the five-game road trip Thursday night against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis. The game will start at 5 pm.