The Golden State Warriors were discombobulated for much of last season, with plenty of inconsistency and not much of a rhythm.
The result was a sixth-place finish in the Western Conference and a second-round exit from the NBA playoffs.
The new season is only five games old, but the early returns have been positive for the Warriors.
Since a season-opening loss to Phoenix, Golden State has won four consecutive games going into Friday night’s matchup against the host Oklahoma City Thunder.
The game is the opener of the inaugural in-season tournament for both teams. The Warriors and Thunder are in West Group C.
Minnesota, Sacramento and San Antonio are also in the same group, with play continuing with three more games for each team before the tournament moves to knockout rounds in early December.
The game counts in the regular-season standings, as do all tournament games except for the Dec. 9 championship.
Golden State is looking to keep its momentum rolling.
“I can’t name one person in there who hasn’t shown the willingness to sacrifice thus far,” Warriors veteran Draymond Green said. “And I don’t see that changing. That doesn’t mean a guy isn’t going to be mad that he is coming out the game. We’re competitors. We want to play. But when it was all said and done, I’ve got my teammates’ backs. I’m not going to be a distraction to this team.”
That was an issue at times a year ago.
“Last year, we had an awful team as far as chemistry goes,” Green said. “It was pathetic. But chemistry has been a strong suit here.”
A big piece of that chemistry boost has been veteran point guard Chris Paul, who has come off the bench over the last three games for the first time in his career.
The Thunder are familiar with the element Paul brings, having brought him aboard in 2019-20 as they began their rebuild.
That was the first year in Oklahoma City for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has blossomed into an All-Star guard with the Thunder.
However, Gilgeous-Alexander won’t be playing Friday due to a sprained left knee that he sustained Wednesday during a disappointing 110-106 home loss to New Orleans.
Rookie Chet Holmgren had a solid game with 19 points and 11 rebounds on Wednesday in a game where the Thunder led by 22 in the first half before letting the lead slip away.
Holmgren said Oklahoma City’s rebounding wasn’t up to par.
“They really put a lot of effort into it,” Holmgren said of the Pelicans. “That’s the biggest key with coming away with offensive rebounds. If you don’t put the effort in, you’re not going to get them.”
Holmgren is averaging 15.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.6 blocked shots through his first five NBA games. He missed all of last season due to a foot injury.
Oklahoma City has struggled with rebounding all season, sitting last in the league in offensive rebounding percentage at 22.1.
Golden State is coming off a 102-101 home win over Sacramento on Wednesday. Friday’s game marks the beginning of a four-game road trip. The win over the Kings was the Warriors’ lone home game in an eight-game stretch.
Friday’s game is the fourth in a six-game homestand for Oklahoma City.
It is also the first of three scheduled meetings between the teams this season — all in November.
Golden State won three of four meetings last season.
–Field Level Media