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Kendra AndrewsESPN
SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State Warriors had a chance Sunday night to start their two weeks (at least) without Stephen Curry on a good note.
Led by Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole, they fought back from trailing the San Antonio Spurs by 10 in the third quarter. Momentum was on the Warriors’ side during the final stretch, and they had two second-chance opportunities to take the lead as the game entered its final minute.
But, two fouls — one for the Warriors and one against them — changed the tune and delivered them a 110-108 defeat instead.
“The fouls at the end were bizarre … I’m shocked,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “I don’t know how those calls can be made. To call fouls in that situation, both of them, one that went for us and one that went against us, I don’t understand. I don’t understand how we can decide the game based on plays that have nothing to do with the game. Players are supposed to decide the game.”
Thompson missed a 22-foot jump shot. Poole missed a 29-foot step-back jumper. Andrew Wiggins grabbed the offensive board, but Devin Vassell was called for the foul, sending Wiggins to the line.
Wiggins split the free throws, giving the Warriors a one-point lead, and that might have been OK if it wasn’t for the ensuing play. After the Spurs rebounded the ball, Kevon Looney was called for the foul on Jakob Poeltl. Poeltl also split his foul shots — tying the game at 108 — but Keldon Johnson grabbed the board and got the shot at the buzzer.
“Wiggs had the ball, and it’s up to him to create a little space and get it out of traffic and get someone a game-winning look,” Kerr said. “And then, on the other end, I got everybody in the locker room after the game telling me they have no idea why Looney got called for the foul. He got tangled up. This is how every play goes.”
Up until that point, Kerr was pleased with how his team played. In addition to not having Curry due to a sprained left foot, the Warriors lost
Source : espn
