The Golden State Warriors beat the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA thanks to another strong showing from Steph Curry, who hit eight three-pointers in the win. Curry told TNT Sports afterwards that the “vibes are as positive as they can be” as the Warriors improved to 20-24. The 76ers’ Joel Embiid suffered an injury scare, while the Los Angeles Lakers suffered another heavy loss
Steph Curry scored 37 points as the Golden State Warriors recorded a much-needed win over the Philadelphia 76ers, who were left sweating on an injury to star Joel Embiid.
Curry hit eight three-pointers as the Warriors, who were hit by the death of assistant coach Dejan Milojevic earlier this month, won 119-107 to improve their record to 20-24.
“It’s been an emotional ride for the whole team this whole year,” Curry told TNT Sports.
“We’ve talked about the self-inflicted wounds – we lost games we should have won, have had some things off the court in our family, dealing with that.
“So there’s always a sense of desperation for us. The vibes are as positive as they can be – but it’s just good to have a night like tonight where we get a win, and get over the hump, and go back to the locker room and have something to smile about.
“When times are hard you have to stick to and commit to the process that you’ve developed over time. That’s where the preparation develops confidence.
“Everybody is impacted by the results but it’s all about the process. You know how much work you put in on your body, your mind, your skill-set, whether you are shooting the ball horribly or in a slump, that process will hopefully get you out of it. That’s the only thing you can rely on.”
Curry is set to face WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu in a three-point contest on All-Star Weekend.
The match-up pits the NBA all-time three-point leader Curry against the WNBA single-season three-point record holder Ionescu.
“I think this is the coolest thing ever,” said Curry.
“I think the fact we can join forces and put her front and centre of the All-Star Weekend, she has the record…I love the competition, obviously I am coming to win, and she is too. It’s going to be great.”
For the 76ers it was a fourth straight loss which was compounded by seeing reigning MVP Joel Embiid limp off in the fourth quarter.
Embiid had sat out the previous two games due to soreness but started against the Warriors.
“They’re going to do an MRI tonight or tomorrow,” Sixers head coach Nick Nurse.”It’s unrelated to what’s been bothering him, so we’re just waiting on that.
“Obviously medical cleared him to play, and Joel was a big part of that. He said he was feeling good.”
Draymond Green, who recently returned from suspension, said things are starting to click for the Warriors
“It’s fun,” he said. “I think it’s starting to come together for us now. We’ve just got to string some wins together.”
It’s not looking fun for the Los Angeles Lakers at times this season as they slipped to another heavy defeat.
The Lakers followed their 16-point defeat to the Houston Rockets with a 138-122 loss against the Atalanta Hawks.
Trae Young finished with 26 points for the Hawks as the Lakers, missing the injured Anthony Davis, dropped to 24-25.
“We can on any given night beat any team in the NBA – and then on any given night we can get our a** kicked by any team in the NBA,” said Lakers star LeBron James.
“That’s where we are.”
Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics held on to beat the Indiana Pacers 129-124.
The Eastern Conference leaders led by 20 points in the first half but the Pacers fought back and took the lead in the third quarter.
The Celtics, helped by 30 points from Jayson Tatum, recovered to seal a 37th win of the season.
Elsewhere, the Toronto Raptors recovered from a 16-point deficit to defeat the Chicago Bulls 118-107.