The Golden State Warriors continued their late-season surge with an exciting 121-119 comeback victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday evening.
After falling right into a 27-5 first-quarter gap, the Warriors stormed again behind a classic 40-point efficiency from Steph Curry, sealing their third straight win and ending a five-game highway journey with a 4-1 file.
However the largest story of Golden State‘s turnaround is the arrival of Jimmy Butler. Acquired from the Miami Warmth in a blockbuster five-team commerce, Butler has helped ignite a midseason revival, with the Warriors now 10-1 since his arrival.
After the sport, Curry credited Butler for his renewed power, emphasizing that the veteran star has supplied the staff with an important increase heading into the season’s remaining stretch.
Butler’s quick influence
Whereas Curry led all scorers with 40 factors on 60 p.c capturing, Butler delivered a robust all-around efficiency, contributing 25 factors, six assists, and three steals whereas capturing 53.8 p.c from the sector.
Golden State‘s post-trade resurgence has been simple, with the staff shifting to 35-28 and surging within the Western Convention playoff race.
Since Butler‘s arrival, Curry’s sport has reached one other stage. His scoring common has jumped from 22.9 factors per sport to 30.4 ppg.
When requested postgame whether or not his improved efficiency was as a result of higher well being or Butler‘s presence, Curry credited each components.
“All of it. I believe it is all related, too,” Curry mentioned. “It begins with being wholesome [and] feeling like your self. The work you set in behind the scenes prepares you to play and really feel good evening in and evening out.
“However Jimmy clearly helps. He helps quite a bit. It is led to successful as a result of we’ve got steadiness and movement, and his influence on the sport is fairly apparent.”
Golden State’s spectacular 10-1 file since buying Butler is proving that they may very well be a severe menace within the playoffs. With Curry regaining his MVP-level kind and Butler including grit and expertise, the Warriors appear to be a staff no contender will wish to face within the postseason.
