For his 60 point scoring effort Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry can only wipe his face with his jersey (30) as the Atlanta Hawks win it at State Farm Arena in Atlanta in overtime on Sat Feb 3, 2024 (AP News photo)
By Barbara Mason
The Golden State Warriors (21-25) fought hard throughout the entire game falling in overtime to the Atlanta Hawks (22-27)141-134. Warrior guard Stephen Curry hit 22 points in the fourth quarter finishing with 60 points.
There were just too many obstacles that the Warriors had to deal with. The ankle injury to Andrew Wiggins was the last straw with Chris Paul, Moses Moody, Gary Payton Jr and Dario Saric all out for this game.
Post game wrap: The Warriors took control in the opening quarter leading after the first 12 minutes 33-28. The Hawks answered in the second quarter not only winning it 36-31 but tying up this game at halftime. Heading into the locker room these two teams were dead even at 64.
The Warriors had a very balanced offensive attack in the first half between twos and threes. They did a great job on Trae Young limiting open threes as well as keeping him off the foul line.
On top of all that Golden State kept the turnovers to a minimum. All was going great for Golden State until the Warriors lost yet another player. The Warriors who were already short-handed lost Andrew Wiggins who suffered a left ankle injury in the first half.
The second half of this game could prove to be a very tough one for Golden State.
After three quarters played this game was once again tied with the score 89 apiece. The Warriors were down negative 11 off turnovers and they were indeed thrilled to be tied in this game.
They were not playing particularly well so a tie was indeed acceptable. Golden State was in need of Jonathan Kuminga and Klay Thompson who both had quiet starts. Brandin Podziemski and Lester Quinones were both having a very nice game off the bench.
Curry came off the bench to start the fourth quarter. He already had 34 points and was doing his best to will his team to victory. The Warriors came from being eight points down to take the lead with eight minutes left in the game.
Golden State was dying from downtown going 12-of-44, an awful night from beyond the arc at 27%. The Warriors kept having to come from behind in the second half. How many times would they have to continue to do this before fatigue took over.
With under six minutes left on the clock the Warriors fell behind once again but battled back to take a 107-104 lead. It was a crazy game. Golden State was shooting at 43%, horrible from downtown yet had taken a 109-107 lead.
At 4:36 another tie, 109 apiece. The question now would be which team would have enough in the tank to finish this game. The final three minutes saw lead changes and more ties. Curry started hitting those critical three’s he is famous for.
Hitting three triples in the final minutes gave the Warriors a 121-119 lead. Curry had scored 20 points in the fourth quarter. With 1:06 left in the game it was again a tie at 121. Again it was the closer Curry who broke the tie giving the Warriors a 123-121 lead with 13.1 on the clock.
The Hawks would not be denied and tied up the game at 123 with 4.1 left in regulation. This game went into overtime . The Warriors have ten straight losses in overtimes on the road. Kuminga had fouled out and the team was without Wiggins.
Golden State would have to dig deep to win this one. Curry had 52 points in regulation, but how much more could Curry endure.
The story of the overtime was missed open shots, untimely fouls by the Warriors. In a flash the Hawks had a 134-123 lead. The Hawks went on a 15-2 run and the Warriors gas tank had run dry.
This was a tough loss for the Warriors. Curry had an amazing game with 60 points and both Quinones and Podziemski had a nice showing off the bench. The loss of Kuminga also really hurt the team in the overtime.
Post game notes: After taking of business in Memphis Friday night against the Grizzlies 121-101, the Warriors took on the Hawks Saturday night. The Hawks dismissed the Phoenix Suns Friday night 129-120.
The biggest threat that Golden State faced in this game was Trae Young who scored 32 points in Friday nights game. Young was the difference against Golden State with a team leading 35 points in the ten point win by the Hawks. Dejounte Murray was another huge threat to the Warriors, Murray tallied 19 points for the Hawks finishing fourth in scoring.
Monday night the Warriors will take on the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. The Warriors beat the Nets back in mid-December in a close game 124-120 and the Nets will be looking to even the series. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:30 PM PT.