Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
In a tense NBA Cup clash on Friday night, the Golden State Warriors edged past the San Antonio Spurs with a narrow 109-108 win, spearheaded by Stephen Curry's explosive performance. Curry scored 49 points, including a remarkable 31 in the second half, showcasing his skills in a head-to-head battle against Spurs' rising star Victor Wembanyama. His decisive free throws in the final moments secured the Warriors' first victory in the NBA Cup.
Victor Wembanyama added 26 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks in a commendable 38-minute effort, but it wasn't enough as the Spurs fell to a 1-1 record in the tournament. Curry's impressive outing marked his highest score this season, hitting 16 of 26 shots and 9 of 17 from beyond the arc. Notably, he tied Hall of Famer Michael Jordan for the most 40-point games after age 30 in NBA history, reaching 44.
Having swept the two-game series in San Antonio, the Warriors capitalized on a fourth-quarter rally to prevail in both contests. Coach Steve Kerr remarked that the series felt like playoff games, filled with intensity and fast-paced action.
The final quarter was marked by fervent confrontations, including multiple interventions by officials to separate Draymond Green and Wembanyama, who were contending fiercely for position. Wembanyama's alley-oop dunk over Green was ruled out because of a foul prior to the play, and Green voiced his displeasure after receiving his fifth foul.
In dramatic closing seconds, Wembanyama’s block on Jimmy Butler maintained a narrow Spurs lead, but San Antonio couldn't capitalize when De'Aaron Fox missed a jumper. Curry, fouled by Fox, coolly hit both free throws, giving the Warriors a one-point advantage just before Fox’s last-ditch attempt fell short.
Support for the Warriors came from Butler with 21 points, and both Brandin Podziemski and Will Richard chipped in with 10 points each. For the Spurs, Fox contributed 24 points and 10 assists, while Julian Champagnie added 14 points.
Next up, the Warriors face the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, while the Spurs welcome the Sacramento Kings the same day. This hard-fought victory underscores the Warriors’ tenacity and Curry’s enduring status as one of the NBA's elite players.
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