Orlando Magic won on their visit to the Chase Center in San Francisco by 115-101 against some Warriors who could not count on Klay Thompson. The All-Star guard was out at the last minute after suffering severe pain in his knee operated on in 2019.
Manager Steve Kerr ruled out any serious situation; however, they preferred to rest him as a precaution after he did the warm-up round.
“We’re talking about a guy who’s had two major injuries in the last few years,” Steve Kerr said. “You get a little bit older, you get some injuries, and you’re going to be more susceptible to certain aches and pains, and it’s something we have to deal with,” the coach explained.
Thompson has averaged 38.8 minutes over the past 7 games, including a season-high 46 minutes in a double-overtime win over the Atlanta Hawks. An important workload that has prevented him from dressing short this past dawn.
And regarding the clash, the Magic had not achieved a victory in the Warriors pavilion for more than 10 years. Rookie Paolo Banchero led their attack with 25 points and 5 rebounds; seconded by Franz Wagner, who contributed 24 goals.
They also added double digit scorers Wendell Carter Jr. with 13 points and 10 rebounds; Markelle Fultz had 16 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 steals; and reserve Cole Anthony had another 16 points.
In the Warriors, who recovered troops ahead of the game, Anthony Lamb scored 14 of his 26 points only in the first quarter through a 4/4 triple; and his teammate Jordan Poole seconded him with 21 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists.
Regresan Wiggins e Iguodala
Good news for the Warriors who, despite the defeat, are recovering troops for the second leg of the regular season. Anthony Wiggins returned to the court after missing 15 games due to a muscle strain with 12 points and 3 rebounds in just 19 minutes of play.
For his part, Andre Iguodala had not yet debuted since he signed as a free agent following a conservative preparation. The 38-year-old received a standing ovation from the Oakland crowd when he took the floor midway through the first quarter.
“It’s been amazing to play alongside Wiggins and Iggy tonight,” admitted Anthony Lamb.
(Cover Photo: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)