Golden State Warriors: 3 takeaways from Game 4 vs. Spurs

The Golden State Warriors failed to complete a second-consecutive sweep of the San Antonio Spurs, losing Game 4 by a score of 103-90. Here are our takeaways.

What the Golden State Warriors avoided in Game 3, they got in Game 4. As belief decreased, pride did the opposite for the San Antonio Spurs, and the latter proved to be more valuable for this particular club. The Kawhi Leonard, Gregg Popovich-less Spurs beat the Warriors 103-90 Sunday afternoon, forcing the series back to Oakland.

The Warriors saw the supreme efficiency that marked the series’ first three games abandon them in Game 4. They shot just 37.8 percent from the field and 25 percent from 3 (7-for-28), while turning the ball over 16 times.

Klay Thompson, who averaged 25.7 points with a 63.3 field-goal percentage and 65.0 3-point percentage through the first three games, scored only 12 points on 4-of-16 shooting (2-of-6 from deep) in Game 4. Kevin Durant put in 34, but it took him 28 shots. Draymond Green had a terrific floor game — 18 rebounds, nine assists and maniacal defense — save his 4-of-14 shooting.

There is not much panic around the Warriors. They are the better team by a significant margin, and the Spurs have not proven to be able to hang at Oracle thus far. That’s why, in our Game 4 takeaways, we will focus not only on what we’ve learned about this matchup, but this team moving forward.