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NBA (Basketball)

NBA Recap: Stephen Curry’s perfect 8-for-8 shooting from beyond the arc lifts Warriors in San Francisco

Stephen Curry made history on Thursday night, hitting all eight of his 3-point attempts for the first time in his career as the Golden State Warriors beat the Philadelphia 76ers 139-105 in San Francisco.

Curry ended the game with 30 points and 10 assists, becoming the first player in NBA history to make at least 8-of-8 3-pointers and have double-digit assists in the same game. The NBA record for most perfect 3-pointers in a game is 9, shared by Latrell Sprewell, Ben Gordon (twice), and Jalen Brunson.

Jonathan Kuminga contributed 20 points off the bench, while Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, and Dennis Schroder each scored 15 for the Warriors, who took advantage of a tired Philadelphia team playing the second game of a back-to-back road stretch.

Joel Embiid, who sat out Philadelphia’s loss to Sacramento the previous night, returned to lead the 76ers with 28 points and 14 rebounds.

Thunder 116, Clippers 98

The Oklahoma City Thunder earned their 13th straight victory, beating the Los Angeles Clippers at home. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 29 points, and Jalen Williams added 18, helping Oklahoma City move one win away from tying the franchise’s longest-ever win streak, which was 14 games set by the 1995-96 Seattle SuperSonics.

Norman Powell, the Clippers’ top scorer this season, had a tough game, missing his first 10 shots and finishing with just six points on 1-of-11 shooting. Amir Coffey led the Clippers with a season-high 26 points.

Lakers 114, Trail Blazers 106

LeBron James scored 38 points and provided eight assists as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Portland Trail Blazers despite missing Anthony Davis. Max Christie added a career-best 28 points, and Austin Reaves recorded 15 points and 11 assists. The Lakers won for the sixth time in their last eight games. Davis missed the game due to a left ankle sprain.

Portland’s Anfernee Simons scored 23 points, and Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija each had 19. The Trail Blazers lost their 10th game in the last 13 and their eighth straight on the road.

LeBron James – Los Angeles Lakers

Pacers 128, Heat 115

Tyrese Haliburton scored 33 points and dished out a season-high 15 assists without committing a turnover, leading the Indiana Pacers to a solid win over the Miami Heat. Haliburton had a great first quarter with 16 points and five assists.

In three games against Miami this season, he has 36 assists and just one turnover. Myles Turner added 21 points, and Pascal Siakam finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds.

For the Heat, rookie Kel’el Ware scored a career-high 25 points on 9-of-11 shooting and also blocked three shots. Bam Adebayo contributed 20 points and eight rebounds.

Celtics 118, Timberwolves 115

Jayson Tatum scored 33 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and had nine assists, helping the Boston Celtics hold off the Minnesota Timberwolves for a close win in Minneapolis. Derrick White added 26 points, and the Celtics won their second game in a row, despite missing Jaylen Brown (right shoulder strain) and Kristaps Porzingis (sprained left ankle).

Julius Randle led the Timberwolves with 27 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. Naz Reid scored 20 points off the bench, and Jaden McDaniels added 19 points.

Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves

Nets 113, Bucks 110

Cameron Johnson scored 26 points, and Cam Thomas added 24 as the Brooklyn Nets held off a late comeback from the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Nets were up 111-90 with 6:55 left, but missed their next 12 shots, allowing the Bucks to go on a 20-0 run. Damian Lillard scored five straight points, but missed a 3-pointer with Milwaukee down by three points in the final seconds. Lillard’s 35-foot shot at the buzzer also fell short.

Nic Claxton had 16 points and 11 rebounds for Brooklyn, which won the season series 3-1 against the Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 27 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists. Lillard finished with 23 points and seven assists.

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NBA (Basketball)

Stephen Curry hits perfect 3-pointers as Warriors dominate 76ers in San Francisco

Stephen Curry made all eight of his 3-point attempts for the first time in his career, leading the Golden State Warriors to a 139-105 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night in San Francisco.

Curry finished with 30 points and 10 assists, becoming the first player in NBA history to hit at least 8-for-8 from 3-point range and also record double-digit assists in the same game.

After struggling with his 3-point shooting in his previous two games (making only 7 of 24), Curry matched his career-high for 3-pointers made without a miss, hitting 6-for-6 through three quarters before adding two more early in the final period.

Curry had previously made six 3-pointers in a game twice, including a game against the Los Angeles Lakers last April. The NBA record for most consecutive 3-pointers without a miss is 9-for-9, set by former Warriors player Latrell Sprewell in 2003.

This record has been tied three times—by Ben Gordon in 2006 and 2012, and by Jalen Brunson in 2023.

Jonathan Kuminga contributed 20 points off the bench, and Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, and Dennis Schroder each had 15 points. The Warriors took advantage of the 76ers playing the second night of a back-to-back and jumped out to an early lead, never looking back.

Stephen Curry reacts after scoring (NBA)

Moses Moody shot 4-for-5 from 3-point range, and Schroder made 3 of 4, helping the Warriors hit 22 of 39 3-point attempts (56.4%).

Joel Embiid returned after sitting out a loss to Sacramento the night before and led the 76ers with 28 points and 14 rebounds. Despite this, the 76ers struggled to keep up with the Warriors, who outscored them 13-4 in the opening minutes with Curry and Schroder hitting key 3-pointers.

Golden State led by as many as 18 points by the end of the first quarter and comfortably maintained their advantage through the final three periods, securing their fifth win in the last 18 games.

Moody added 12 points, and Lindy Waters III contributed 10 points for the Warriors. Green also had six rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks.

For the 76ers, Paul George supported Embiid with 19 points, while Tyrese Maxey had 14 points, six assists, four steals, and two blocks. Guerschon Yabusele scored 13 points, and Ricky Council IV added 12.

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NBA (Basketball)

Joel Embiid and the 76ers are set to face the struggling Warriors in San Francisco

The Philadelphia 76ers, looking to bounce back from a loss without Joel Embiid, will try to start a new winning streak on Thursday night when they visit the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco.

Embiid, dealing with a sore left foot, missed the 76ers’ game in Sacramento on Wednesday. His teammates couldn’t hold on to a late nine-point lead, eventually losing 113-107 after failing to score in the final 3:34.

Interestingly, the 76ers also played on the second night of a back-to-back last January, losing 119-107 to the Warriors in San Francisco. Embiid sat out the night before in a 130-104 loss at Portland, and then scored 14 points in the game against the Warriors, but it wasn’t enough.

This time, the status of veteran Paul George is in question. He played 36 minutes and scored 30 points against the Kings, but he took a hard fall in the second quarter and had a heating pad on his back during a short break. Despite that, he returned to play later in the game.

Coach Nick Nurse has been impressed with how his team has stayed focused, even with injuries and challenges. “We’ve gone a long stretch where we are starting to take whatever has come,” Nurse said. “We are dealing with some foul trouble, and we just keep on rolling.

What I’m most happy with is that we’re starting to get a defensive mentality to us. And that can take you a long ways.”

Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves

For the Warriors, the last thing they need is a strong defensive effort from the 76ers. Golden State has been struggling offensively, failing to score 100 points in six of their last 12 games. After starting the season 12-3, the Warriors have won only four of their last 17 games.

“We’re kind of in a rut right now,” said coach Steve Kerr. “We haven’t made shots now for a while. It feels like it should turn, but we have to try to find a way to help develop the rhythm with passing, with movement, with spacing to generate better shots.”

The Warriors are coming off an 18-point loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday. Stephen Curry shot just 4-for-14, finishing with 11 points, while Draymond Green missed 9 of his 10 shots, contributing just two points. As a team, the Warriors shot only 33.3% from the field.

One bright spot for the Warriors has been Jonathan Kuminga. He scored 34 points in back-to-back games before adding 18 points and 10 rebounds in a double-double effort against the Cavaliers.

Last season, the Warriors swept the two-game series against the 76ers. They won by 12 points in January at home and followed that up with a 127-104 victory in Philadelphia, a game in which Embiid was absent due to a left knee injury.

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NBA (Basketball)

Lakers Beat Warriors but Anthony Davis Injury Poses Challenges for Upcoming Games

The Los Angeles Lakers secured a significant victory over the Golden State Warriors, but it came at a cost when star player Anthony Davis suffered a left ankle injury. Despite the team holding off the Warriors for the win, concern loomed over Davis’s condition. His absence could impact the Lakers’ performance significantly, as Davis has been a linchpin of their success this season.

Fortunately, initial assessments indicate that Davis avoided a serious injury. The Lakers announced that he is day-to-day and will be reevaluated ahead of their next game against the Sacramento Kings. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported that Davis is walking unassisted and could potentially return to action for the matchup on December 28. This news provides some optimism, though caution remains due to Davis’s injury history.

Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis (NBA)

Davis’s potential absence could be a setback for the Lakers as they fight to maintain their playoff position. With LeBron James nearing 40 years old, Davis has taken on a larger share of the offensive responsibilities, playing at an MVP level throughout the season. Losing him, even temporarily, would place additional strain on James and the rest of the team.

The Lakers have a brief respite before their next game, allowing Davis some recovery time. However, the team is expected to prioritize his health and will avoid rushing his return. With two recent wins against the Kings in Sacramento, the Lakers have already established an advantage over their rivals, giving them some breathing room in Davis’s absence.

The Lakers hope Davis won’t miss any games, but they are prepared to adapt if necessary. His availability remains crucial for their success, particularly as the season progresses and postseason implications come into play. For now, the team remains cautiously optimistic about Davis’s recovery.

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NBA (Basketball)

Warriors, Suns battling for a post-holiday victory

The Golden State Warriors will host the Phoenix Suns in San Francisco on Saturday, with both teams looking to bounce back from tough losses on Friday.

Phoenix has lost four of its last five games, most recently falling 98-89 at home to the Dallas Mavericks. The Suns struggled, scoring just 14 points in the second quarter and shooting 38.6 percent for the game. Phoenix center Jusuf Nurkic was ejected in the third quarter after slapping Dallas’ Naji Marshall on the head.

The Suns have been trying to manage without Devin Booker, who has missed the past four games with a groin injury and will be out again on Saturday. Booker averages 25.1 points per game, second only to Kevin Durant’s 27.5. Durant scored 35 points in Friday’s loss.

Durant spoke about the altercation with Nurkic, saying, “You hate to see that in this game, because guys will get suspended and lose a lot of money doing that. But that’s what happens when you compete sometimes — your temper flares up a little bit and you go overboard… Being frustrated out there, sometimes you do things that you regret after the game, so hopefully we can move on from it.”

If Nurkic is suspended, the Suns will be without his 8.8 points and team-leading 9.5 rebounds per game.

Golden State had similar shooting struggles in its 102-92 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, shooting 36.8 percent from the field and just 18.4 percent (7-for-38) on 3-pointers. The Warriors trailed 81-62 entering the fourth quarter but cut the lead to three with 2:30 left, only to lose their third straight game and sixth in their last seven.

Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors

Stephen Curry, the Warriors’ leading scorer with 22.5 points per game, missed the game for knee-injury management. Draymond Green (8.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.6 assists per game) also sat out due to a lower-back injury, but both are expected to return Saturday.

The Warriors are hoping point guard Dennis Schroder, who was traded to Golden State from the Brooklyn Nets on Dec. 14, can improve his performance. Schroder was averaging 18.4 points per game with Brooklyn but has only averaged 8.2 points in five games with the Warriors.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr said, “It’s difficult to go to a new team in the middle of the season and not know your teammates very well. It takes some time. He’s still basically in training camp. What you do is trust who the player has been for 10 or 12 years and you trust that he’ll get comfortable and settle in. It’s also been a tiny sample size that you’re talking about.”

Saturday’s game will be the second meeting of the season between the Warriors and Suns, following a 113-105 loss for Golden State in Phoenix on Nov. 30.

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Clippers defeat undermanned Warriors for the third time this season

Norman Powell scored 26 points and James Harden added 18 as the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Golden State Warriors 102-92 on Friday in Inglewood, California. The Warriors were without Stephen Curry due to knee-injury management.

Ivica Zubac contributed 17 points, 11 rebounds, and five blocks, while Derrick Jones Jr. scored 14 points, and Kris Dunn had 13 for the Clippers, who won their fourth game in the last five and improved to 3-0 against the Warriors this season.

The Clippers managed to hold on for the win despite being outscored 30-21 in the fourth quarter and nearly losing a 19-point lead.

Jonathan Kuminga scored 15 of his 34 points in the final period and grabbed 10 rebounds, while Trayce Jackson-Davis added 15 points and nine rebounds for the Warriors. The Warriors were missing Draymond Green (back) and Gary Payton II (calf) as well.

Despite missing key players, the Warriors led 21-19 after the first quarter and had a four-point lead in the second. However, the Clippers hit two 3-pointers in the last minute of the second quarter to take a 49-43 lead into halftime.

James Harden
James Harden (NBA)

In the second half, the Clippers started to take control, pushing their lead to 59-49 with 7:38 left in the third. Golden State struggled, making only one field goal in the last four minutes of the third, allowing the Clippers to extend their lead to 81-62.

The Warriors applied heavy defense in the fourth quarter, forcing the Clippers to only score one field goal in the first seven minutes, cutting the lead to 85-80. Moses Moody’s 3-pointer made it 91-88 with 2:30 left.

The Clippers sealed the win when Zubac blocked a dunk attempt by Moody with 1:11 remaining, and Powell quickly scored a layup for a 98-88 lead. Los Angeles committed 12 of their 23 turnovers in the fourth quarter.

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NBA (Basketball)

Struggling Warriors look to defeat strong Clippers

All attention will be on the player-availability report when the Los Angeles Clippers host the Golden State Warriors on Friday in Inglewood, Calif.

While the Clippers are getting closer to the season debut of Kawhi Leonard, the Warriors are considering giving Stephen Curry a rest on the first night of a back-to-back, which includes a home game against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday.

Leonard has not played this season due to a chronic knee issue, but he returned to contact practices before the Clippers went on a three-game road trip last week. Head coach Tyronn Lue stated that Leonard needs to participate in full practices before the team will consider his return.

The Clippers have won three of their last four games, marking another high point in a season full of ups and downs. One of their most impressive wins came on Monday, when they defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 114-110 on the road.

Norman Powell had a strong game, scoring 29 points and making 4 of 8 three-pointers. James Harden contributed 21 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds, playing a key point guard role. Ivica Zubac dominated inside with 20 points, 19 rebounds, and four steals.

“Everybody’s involved,” Lue said. “It’s not coaches and players. We’re all on the same team and that’s how we treat each other. It’s not this side and that side. We’re all together. We win together, we lose together, we make mistakes together. That’s who we are.”

The Clippers’ teamwork has been crucial to their success on defense, which was evident in their ability to hold Memphis to 20 points in the fourth quarter. Memphis, which averages the most points in the NBA at 122.7 per game, was limited well below their usual scoring.

Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors

“To hold them to 110 on their home floor says a lot about what we’re doing defensively,” Lue said.

On Christmas Day, Curry nearly led the Warriors to a comeback win by scoring eight points in the final 25.7 seconds, including two three-pointers in the last 12.9 seconds. However, the Warriors couldn’t overcome a 109-100 deficit with 1:30 left, despite Curry tying the game with a three-pointer at 7.6 seconds.

Curry finished with 38 points in what head coach Steve Kerr called a “hard” 36 minutes. Andrew Wiggins added 21 points and 12 rebounds.

Before the game, Curry held a players-only meeting to emphasize the importance of the upcoming stretch of games. Despite the loss, the message seemed to have been heard, with Curry leading by example.

“We’re right in that window where we can still regain some momentum for the next however many weeks before the (All-Star) break,” Curry said. “Or else we’re in a situation where we’re chasing down the stretch and nobody wants to be there.”

Although Golden State showed effort on Wednesday, the reality is they have lost five of their last six games.

“We had a great vibe early in the season and we’re going through it right now, but I love our guys,” Kerr said. “High-character guys. They care.”

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NBA (Basketball)

NBA roundup: Lakers edge out Warriors with last-second win

Austin Reaves made a crucial layup with just one second remaining to seal a triple-double, while LeBron James scored 31 points, helping the Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Golden State Warriors 115-113 on Wednesday night in San Francisco.

The Lakers lost Anthony Davis early in the game due to a twisted left ankle, but they managed to stay in control for most of the final three quarters, securing their fourth win in the last five games.

With 1:30 left, the Lakers were up 109-100, but Stephen Curry nearly turned the game around. He scored eight points in a 13-4 run, including two tough 3-pointers in the last 12.2 seconds, one of which was a game-tying 31-foot shot with 7.6 seconds remaining.

Reaves finished with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, while James also recorded 10 assists. Curry led the game with 38 points, most of which came from eight 3-pointers, tying the NBA record for a Christmas game.

Timberwolves 105, Mavericks 99

Anthony Edwards scored 26 points, leading the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves to a win over the Dallas Mavericks. Dallas played the second half without Luka Dončić, who left the game after suffering a left calf strain in the second quarter.

Dončić had 14 points in 16 minutes before the injury, and the Mavericks were down 51-38 at that time. After falling behind by 28 points in the third quarter, Dallas fought back in the fourth, cutting the deficit to 101-99 on a Klay Thompson 3-pointer with 1:05 left. Kyrie Irving, who scored 15 of his 39 points in the final quarter, missed a 3-pointer that could have put Dallas ahead. Edwards then scored on the next possession, extending the Timberwolves’ lead to four points.

76ers 118, Celtics 114

Tyrese Maxey had 33 points and 12 assists to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a win over the Boston Celtics. Joel Embiid added 27 points and nine rebounds, and Caleb Martin scored 23 points, making 7 of 9 three-pointers.

The Celtics, trailing by 15 in the fourth quarter, managed to cut the lead to 116-114 with 4.9 seconds left. However, Embiid made two free throws to seal the game for the 76ers, who have won six of their last eight games.

Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics

Jayson Tatum led Boston with 32 points and 15 rebounds, while Jaylen Brown added 23 points and seven rebounds. The Celtics suffered their second consecutive loss, which was their first such streak of the season.

Knicks 117, Spurs 114

Mikal Bridges scored 15 points in the fourth quarter to lead the New York Knicks to a comeback victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

Bridges and Victor Wembanyama combined for 26 points in a high-scoring fourth quarter, with both teams shooting over 50%. Bridges finished with a season-high 41 points, the second-most by a Knicks player on Christmas Day behind Bernard King’s 60-point performance in 1984. Wembanyama made an impressive debut on Christmas with 42 points, 18 rebounds, four assists, and four blocks.

The Knicks won their fifth straight game, improving to 15-4 since November 15. Miles McBride made a key 3-pointer with 2:43 left, giving the Knicks the lead for good. Jeremy Sochan contributed 21 points and nine rebounds for the Spurs.

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Austin Reaves’ clutch performance lifts Lakers past Warriors in Christmas showdown

Austin Reaves made a layup with one second remaining to give the Los Angeles Lakers a 115-113 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night in San Francisco, capping off his triple-double performance. LeBron James contributed 31 points, adding to his Christmas Day legacy.

Despite losing Anthony Davis early in the game due to a twisted left ankle, the Lakers maintained the lead for most of the final three quarters, securing their fourth win in the last five games.

The Lakers were up 109-100 when James assisted Max Christie for a basket with 1:30 left. However, Stephen Curry almost pulled off a dramatic comeback. After Jonathan Kuminga’s dunk and Dennis Schroder’s 3-pointer, Curry hit two incredible 3-pointers in the last 12.2 seconds, including a game-tying 31-foot shot with 7.1 seconds remaining.

The Lakers then tried to pass the ball to James, but the Warriors double-teamed him, so Reaves took control, driving to the basket and scoring the game-winning layup.

Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets

James, the all-time leading scorer in NBA Christmas games, finished with 31 points, 10 assists, and two steals, making 12 of his 22 shots. Reaves stepped up in place of Davis, scoring 26 points, including four 3-pointers, and also had 10 rebounds and 10 assists, marking his third career triple-double.

Rui Hachimura added 18 points, Max Christie scored 16, and Dalton Knecht contributed 13 for the Lakers, who have appeared in NBA Christmas games for 26 consecutive seasons.

Curry led all scorers with 38 points, mostly from eight 3-pointers, tying the NBA record for Christmas Day games. Andrew Wiggins supported Curry with 21 points and a game-high 12 rebounds for the Warriors, who have now lost five of their last six games.

Kuminga finished with 14 points, and Schroder and Trayce Jackson-Davis scored 11 each. Draymond Green had 10 rebounds, six assists, four blocks, and three points.

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NFL (American Football)

Lakers center Anthony Davis leaves Christmas Day game due to a sprained left ankle

LeBron James and the Lakers stepped up again when star player Anthony Davis went down.

Davis didn’t return to the game against Golden State on Wednesday night after injuring his left ankle midway through the first quarter.

“It’s always difficult to play without AD, so I guess our job is even more heightened, we have to do a little bit more,” James said after the Lakers won 115-113. “Everyone has to chip in, especially on the defensive end because AD is our anchor.

I thought guys did a great job of just playing off one another, getting to where we wanted to get to offensively and also being able to buckle down and get timely stops versus a really good offensive team.”

Davis rolled his ankle while moving toward the Lakers’ basket, leaving with 4:48 left in the quarter. He went to the locker room and was listed as questionable to return.

“I don’t have an update on AD,” coach JJ Redick said.

Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis (NBA)

Davis, who stands 6-foot-10, had already been questionable to play in the Christmas Day game against Stephen Curry and the Warriors due to a bruised left shoulder.

He missed all three of his shots, scoring no points and grabbing two rebounds in seven minutes of play.

Austin Reaves stepped up to help with the workload, recording a triple-double with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. He also made the game-winning layup with one second remaining.

“It got to a hand that we trust,” James said. “The play was drawn up for me, they doubled me at the top of the key. It’s always great to have great options out on the floor at the same time. AR’s been in that position before.”

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Frustrated superstars meet as Warriors take on Timberwolves

The Golden State Warriors will visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night, and one of the teams will have to bounce back from their recent losses.

Golden State is coming off a tough 51-point loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, marking their third straight defeat. Minnesota is recovering from a 26-point loss to the New York Knicks in a nationally televised game on Thursday night.

Both teams seem to be feeling frustrated right now. Timberwolves’ top scorer Anthony Edwards expressed his frustration with the team’s offense before Saturday’s game. He spoke to reporters after his team was beaten by his former teammate Karl-Anthony Towns and the Knicks.

“We don’t have any (offensive) identity,” Edwards said. “We know I’m going to shoot a bunch of shots. We know (Julius) Randle is going to shoot a bunch of shots. That’s all we know. We don’t really know anything else.”

Edwards continued, saying the problem is not with the coaches but with the players. “It’s on us,” he said. “We’re out there playing, but we’ve got to make it easier for each other. Coaches put us in a great position, too, man. We just don’t do it.”

When asked what he would like to see from the offense, Edwards added, “They’re not going to like what I say, so I’m just going to keep my answers to myself.”

The Warriors are also looking for answers during their slump. Stephen Curry spoke about the team’s need to play with urgency but emphasized the importance of staying calm.

Golden State Warriors (NBA)

“I don’t like the ‘panic’ word,” Curry said. “I like, ‘Accept where you are and try to change the momentum of the season.’ Panic kind of means you don’t have an answer. I think we do have answers. Obviously (we need) a sense of urgency, for sure.”

Curry struggled in the loss to Memphis, shooting 0-for-7 from the field and 0-for-6 from 3-point range, finishing with just two points. His previous season low had been 12 points. Curry leads the Warriors with 22.0 points per game and 6.4 assists. Andrew Wiggins (17.8 points per game), Jonathan Kuminga (15.3), and Buddy Hield (14.1) are also top scorers for the team.

Edwards leads the Timberwolves with 25.9 points per game, and Julius Randle is averaging 20.2 points. After them, the next highest scorer is Naz Reid with 11.8 points per game. Rudy Gobert has been averaging a double-double with 10.3 points and 10.7 rebounds, though he had one of his worst games of the season against New York, finishing with just three points and four rebounds in 22 minutes.

This is the third of four games between these teams this season. The first two games were held in San Francisco. Minnesota won the first game 107-90 on December 6, with Edwards scoring 30 points. Golden State responded with a 114-106 win two days later, with Curry leading the Warriors with 30 points.

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NBA (Basketball)

The Warriors are relying on Dennis Schroder to ease the burden on Stephen Curry by contributing on both offense and defense

Dennis Schroder’s young son, Dennis Jr., quickly brightened the mood after another NBA trade involving his father.

The excited boy learned they were going to Golden State and proudly wore a No. 30 Stephen Curry jersey.

“He was like, ‘Oh, we’re lucky, now it’s a good team at least,’” Schroder recalled, smiling at his 5-year-old son’s reaction. “That was the first thing, and I had to laugh because I was in a bad mood. He’s obviously a big Steph Curry fan.

He watches every game, all he does is basketball, and he’s going to be thrilled to see him. Even yesterday when I came in, he asked, ‘Was Steph Curry there?’ I said, ‘You’re not going to ask me how I’m doing?’”

Schroder is happy to watch Curry’s impressive scoring performances, but he also takes pride in being a reliable defender.

Having played alongside many great stars, Schroder is now joining Curry and Draymond Green, which will certainly ease the pressure on both of them.

“I can’t wait for Thursday to get after it with these guys,” Schroder said, after his first practice with the Warriors, his eighth NBA team. “I think it will be pretty special.”

Gary Payton II speaks at the news conference

Schroder will practice with the team again Wednesday before traveling to Memphis to make his debut with the Warriors on Thursday night against the Grizzlies. He chose jersey No. 71, inspired by his late father Axel’s favorite number, 17.

“I’ve got to stick with it, I’ll just reverse them,” Schroder said, referring to his new number after being traded from Brooklyn over the weekend.

Coach Steve Kerr would like to start Schroder alongside Curry but plans to have him play the minutes when Curry isn’t on the court.

The 31-year-old Schroder has averaged 18 points against the Warriors in the past. “Not a surprise, I’ve had enough of him,” said Kerr, who looks forward to having Schroder as a two-way player. He believes Schroder can help the team improve at closing games by keeping them organized.

“I like feisty,” Kerr said, eager for Schroder to take some pressure off Curry. “Dennis is a gamer, he’s a competitor, I like guys like that.”

General manager Mike Dunleavy hopes this partnership will extend beyond just this season.

For now, the Warriors are counting on Schroder to boost their scoring and complement Curry. Schroder is currently averaging 18.4 points and 6.6 assists this season.

“It’s no secret we need to improve offensively, and sometimes making shifts in what you’re doing and philosophically is the right way to go about things,” Dunleavy said. “So we’ll see how that unfolds… To play to his strengths, we may have to shift some things.”

The Warriors are determined to capture another championship before Curry and Green leave. Curry will turn 37 in March and is in his 16th season, while Green will be 35 in March.

Schroder is excited about playing alongside Green, a player he has faced many times before.

“Really looking forward to playing with another Hall of Famer on the court, who was always tough when he was on the other side, talking smack and being competitive,” Schroder said. Green believes the Warriors must adapt to Schroder’s style to help him adjust to his new team.

Steve Kerr speaks at a news conference

“I don’t think he was necessarily brought here to fit,” Green said. “We play a certain style of basketball that he does not really play. And I don’t think the goal is to get him to play the style of basketball that we play. We need someone who can do the things that he does. So I’m looking forward to us adjusting to him.”

In the trade, the Warriors sent injured guard De’Anthony Melton and guard Reece Beekman to the Nets. Melton will miss the rest of the season after surgery to repair his left ACL.

Golden State also received a second-round draft pick for next year, while Brooklyn got three second-round picks in 2026 and 2028 (both from Atlanta) and Golden State’s pick in 2029.

Dunleavy keeps Curry and Green updated on potential moves when necessary.

“To be clear, those guys are not banging down my door, calling me: ‘Hey, we’ve got to make a trade. We need this guy. We need that guy.’ They never do that,” Dunleavy said. “Do I keep them in the loop? Yes. Were they double thumbs up on this move? Yes.”