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Golden State Warriors Show The Heart Of A Champion

By Jamal Williams

Apr 24, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston (34) congratulates forward Draymond Green (23) while playing against Houston Rockets forward Michael Beasley (8) in the second half in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Golden State Warriors won 121 to 94. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston (34) congratulates forward Draymond Green (23) while playing against Houston Rockets forward Michael Beasley (8) in the second half in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Golden State Warriors won 121 to 94. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Golden State Warriors prove they are still tough to beat, even without Stephen Curry.

Game 4 of the Western Conference first-round series saw a scenario Dub nation did not want to witness. Stephen Curry went down awkwardly as he slipped on the hardwood and hurt his knee. As they watched their leader head to the locker at the start of the second half, the Golden State Warriors could have easily given up.

They could have easily quit and set their sights for Game 5 back in Oracle Arena. But that would not be the case on Sunday.

The Golden State Warriors put on a three-point barrage in the Toyota Center as they shot 8-for-13 from beyond the arc in the period. The third quarter saw their lead balloon over the Houston Rockets, as they scored 41 points and ultimately came away with a 121-94 victory.

The Warriors also broke a playoff record for most three-pointers made by a team with 21. The record was previously held by three different teams who made 20, most recently by the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first-round series last Wednesday. It was also held by the 2011 Dallas Mavericks and the 1996 Seattle SuperSonics.

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Everyone felt the hot hand during the game. Each player stepped up to fill the huge void of their injured leader. Klay Thompson was brilliant, scoring 23 points while shooting 7-for-11 from the great beyond.

Draymond Green was plagued with foul trouble in the first half, but that didn’t stop him from making his mark on the game either. He contributed a stat line of 18 points, eight rebounds, six assists and shot 4-of-6 from three. His tenacious defense was also key as he gave the team the emotional lift they needed.

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However, the biggest contributor of the team came in the form of their sixth man. Andre Iguodala took the phrase “next man up” and carried it with ease. The former Finals MVP scored 22 points and shot an impressive 9-of-11 from the field. Not to mention knocking down 3-of-4 three pointers of his own.

The win not only showed the team is capable of winning multiple games without Stephen Curry, but that they shouldn’t be overlooked as his teammates either. The Warriors are very confident they can win this series without Curry. And if it weren’t for a last-second turnover by Green they had a shot to win Game 3 and sweep the series.

So the team knows they will be able to close this series on the Rockets with or without Curry in the lineup.

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The schedule will give Curry time to heal before Game 5 on Wednesday. However, if he is not ready to go before then, I’m sure he will have the utmost confidence that his team can get the job done without him.

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