The Golden State Warriors extended their winning streak to seven consecutive road games by defeating the New York Knicks on Thursday night. However, their journey to Toronto was marred by delays due to mechanical issues with their original chartered flight, causing them to sit on the tarmac in Newark, N.J., for several hours after the game. Despite eventually securing a new plane, the team arrived in Toronto after 5 a.m., and didn’t reach their hotel until 7:15 a.m., leaving them fatigued for their second consecutive game against the Toronto Raptors on Friday night.
After securing victories in their first two road games against Washington and New York, the Warriors aim to maintain their winning momentum with a potential 3-0 record as they face the Boston Celtics at Boston Garden on Sunday. Despite the comfort of NBA charters, allowing players to rest, the lack of adequate rest and recovery remains a concern. Coach Steve Kerr may consider reducing playing time for veterans like Stephen Curry and Draymond Green or even resting them in preparation for the upcoming game against the Celtics, a decision likely to be made before the 4:30 p.m. tipoff.
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Lately, the Warriors have been on a hot streak, fueled by the energy of young talents like forward Jonathan Kuminga and guard Brandin Podziemski, along with forward Moses Moody, all of whom are 21 years old. Kuminga and Moody are in their third season, while Podziemski is a rookie from Santa Clara. Kuminga’s impressive performance included a 25-point game against the Knicks, and he has achieved double-figure scoring in 37 of the last 30 games, with 20 or more points in the last two outings.
Before the flight delay, Kerr expressed the team’s dual focus on winning games while also nurturing the future of the franchise. He noted the impressive development of young players like Brandin and Moses, highlighting Brandin’s unusual start as a rookie. The Warriors’ advantage lies in their relative health and a deep bench, especially with Chris Paul’s recent return and Klay Thompson’s transition into a sixth-man role. Moody has stepped up, taking on challenging defensive assignments, including guarding the Knicks’ top scorer, Jalen Brunson, in the absence of Andrew Wiggins, who is dealing with a personal matter.
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