It’s unlikely that anyone will look at the defensive performance in the first half of Sunday’s game against the Sacramento Kings and say that the Golden State Warriors did well defensively. Golden State surrendered 71 first-half points to its Northern California rival. That was the bad news for the Warriors. The good news? Thanks to its offense, Golden State still led comfortably.
The Warriors were hitting shots out of the gate and took a 39-36 lead after the first quarter. Things got even better offensively for the defending champs from there. Golden State scored 50 in the second quarter and led the Kings 89-71 at halftime.
Up at the half pic.twitter.com/hxpX46yVbH
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) October 24, 2022
As would be expected, Steph Curry had a big first half for the Warriors, leading the way with 28 points. Andrew Wiggins had 18 while James Wiseman and Jordan Poole both scored 12.
The NBA world had a lot to say about the performance of Curry and his team over Sunday’s first two quarters.
Steph Curry on the first half:
28 points
6-8 3pt
9-13 FG
4-4 FT
2 rebs
2 ast
17 minutesWarriors have 89 points so far. Another MVP season? pic.twitter.com/r9bPLnT49i
— Fred 🌉 (@Freddd2k) October 24, 2022
Warriors really scored 89 in 1H or is that typo Lmaoooooooo https://t.co/2kdcWGzjgG pic.twitter.com/f4FnpohGT3
— Right $ide (@TheRightSideLLC) October 24, 2022
Warriors lead 89-71 at the half
Yes, 89.
— Golden State of Mind (@unstoppablebaby) October 24, 2022
Tired: Warriors defense, allowing SAC 71 points in first half
Wired: Warriors offense, rolling up 89 points, with Stephen Curry pouring in 28
— Monte Poole (@MontePooleNBCS) October 24, 2022
The 89 points first-half are the most that an NBA team has had in nearly four years. The last team to do it was also the Warriors. On October 29, 2018, Golden State scored 92 points in the first half in a 149-124 victory over the Chicago Bulls. Klay Thompson made an NBA-record 14 three-pointers in that game.
Some of the names are different and many of the familiar names are in different roles than they had four years ago. But as long as Curry is still shooting threes, the Warriors’ offense will remain dangerous.
