OAKLAND – Stephen Curry posted his third career triple-double and the Warriors played conceivably their most complete game of the season in a 115-86 rout of the Sunday on Friday night at Oracle Arena.
Curry surpassed the triple-double barrier early in the third quarter and finished with 14 points, 16 assists and 13 rebounds – more than enough to offset 5-of-17 shooting and seven turnovers.
Four other players scored in double figures, led by Klay Thompson with 21. David Lee finished with 17 and Draymond Green with 11. With the Warriors (18-13) holding an 85-64 lead after three quarters, the fourth belonged to the bench.
How one-sided was it? Every Warrior who entered the game scored.
Dynamic Suns guards Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic, who torched the Warriors in a Phoenix win on Dec. 15, were held to a combined 15 points and 6-of-18 shooting, as the Warriors dominated in every phase. They won the rebounding battle, 56-41, and shot 53 percent to 36 percent for the Suns (17-11).
This was a statement game for the Warriors, who submitted a desultory performance in that 106-102 loss 12 days ago in Phoenix. Coach Mark Jackson afterward was highly critical of his team's effort, and the players acknowledged he had a point.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES
Curry was the undisputed star of the night, of course, but he had plenty of help.
Thompson had his most efficient offensive game (9-of-11 shooting, two assists) in weeks – while also playing solid defense on dangerous Phoenix guards Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic. In addition, Barnes showed signs of coming out of his slump, making four of his first six shots prior to the garbage-time conclusion.
TURNING POINT
Up 34-32 with 7:36 left in the second quarter, the Warriors went on a 25-8 run to close the half and take 59-40 lead. Thompson, Lee and Andre Iguodala each scored 5 points during the stretch, while Curry had 6 points and four assists.
INJURY UPDATE
Centers Jermaine O'Neal (right wrist surgery), Festus Ezeli (right knee surgery) and Ognjen Kuzmic (right pinkie surgery) are out indefinitely.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Warriors on Saturday fly to Cleveland, where on Sunday they face the Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. The Warriors have won their last five against the Cavs, all by double-digit margins. It represents their longest double-digit win streak against any opponent in franchise history.
