“We got off track emotionally and spiritually the last couple games,” Kerr said. “Our fans felt it. For the first time in 10 years, we were booed. As mentioned, our enthusiasm and competitive spirit were lacking both nights, therefore we earned it. We found that again tonight.”
Despite experiencing his worst NBA season, Wiggins emerged out of the shadows with the most vigor. For the second time since Dec. 12, he started and scored 17 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds, 1 block, and 1 steal.
Multiple league sources said the Warriors had to admire Wiggins' play after trading him. NBA scouts may too. One game can't cure a season, but Wiggins showed his value when engaged.
Kerr remarked “Wiggs was great.” “Great game. To open the third quarter, he pressured Coby White and we got tough. We had a tremendous third quarter and set up the game.”
Warriors want to keep Kuminga, who is wanted by multiple clubs. He's not untouchable. The third-year NBA forward scored 24 points and grabbed five rebounds in 24 minutes off the bench for the first time in a month.
Golden State relied on Wiggins, Kuminga, Thompson (30), and Curry (27). Outscored 45-20 in the second quarter, they were down 13 points at halftime and needed a great second half to recover. “It's kind of crazy,” Kerr remarked. It's still a contest down the stretch with 39 assists and five turnovers.
The nasty side of nightfall. Golden State's defense remained terrible. Chicago, a bottom-10 offense, is the third straight team to blow beyond 70 points in the first half, leading 75-62 at halftime. The Bulls shot 69 percent in the half, 75 percent in the second.
“The last two games, the taste was a little bit bad,” Dario Saric remarked. They weren't there. We didn't compete. Maybe we competed like players, but not as a team.
We must be mission-driven. Every position, 100%. We must return that way.” Any comeback needs “mission” attitude. It was enough to win twice tonight. Games and impressing teams monitoring the Warriors for trades.