Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
The first glimpse at what the Warriors are about to look like was piercing. It was just a glimpse — and one, to be fair, on exhausted legs — but a peek into nightmares that had seemed impossible during a dynasty they hope will be restarted next season.
The Warriors were without Alec Burks and Glenn Robinson III on Wednesday, pulling two key veterans a day before the trade deadline with rumors circulating. They are, of course, without Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, the latter unlikely to return this season. They did feature Kevon Looney for spurts, but in limited action, and Willie Cauley-Stein is playing with Dallas for a second week.
Presuming Burks and Robinson do not survive the noon deadline Thursday, the Warriors are entering an end-of-season slog that saw a starting five in Brooklyn of D’Angelo Russell, Damion Lee, Marquese Chriss, Draymond Green and Eric Paschall. Six minutes after the tip, it was 20-4 Nets — who did not suit up Kyrie Irving — and it did not get prettier from there.
The Warriors were blown away at Barclays Center, 129-88, finishing off a five-game East Coast road trip with a thud after two consecutive victories.
Golden State was buried from nearly the opening tip, the Nets making seven 3s in just the first quarter, while the Warriors finished 5-of-39 from deep. They were outrebounded 65-34 — it was that kind of game.
The Warriors will head home to host the Lakers on Saturday and are surely grateful for the brief break. In a season in which they’ve continuously dug deeper, Golden State (12-40) look on the verge of hitting bottom until Curry returns.
A couple quick thoughts from the game, which included Kevin Durant in a suit on the bench:
D’An-hello
D’Angelo Russell was abysmal, finishing with a game-worst minus-48. But there was still reason for him to smile.
In his first action back in Brooklyn since the offseason trade that followed his All-Star year, Russell was rained with praise, including a “Thank you, D-Lo!” chant as he stepped to the foul line.
The Nets crowd showered D'Angelo Russell with "Thank you, D-Lo!" chants ?
(via @APOOCH) pic.twitter.com/6lnkHVYs51
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 6, 2020
Russell emerged from infamy to stardom with the Nets, who tapped into his No. 2-pick potential after his sordid time with the Lakers. He then became expendable when Kyrie Irving brought his talents to New York, and Russell has had a solid season with the Warriors, becoming their most valuable trade chip — one that likely will not be cashed in at the deadline, with Golden State still wanting to see him paired with Curry for a spell.
On Wednesday, Russell looked gassed, going 0-for-8 from beyond the arc and his team-high 17 points nowhere near enough. Still, there are worse venues to struggle.
Kevon comin’ on
In his third game back, Looney began to resemble the intimidating big man who can be a big part of winning Warriors clubs.
He did not dominate and still looks half a step slow as a hamstring issue and a neuropathic condition have kept him out of all but 12 games this year.
He did look more agile Wednesday, though, with 11 points and five rebounds, along with three assists, in 17 minutes of gametime. His plus-3 was the only plus-minus in the green for the Warriors.
As the game finished up, Looney shuffled his feet, spun and converted an and-one. In a game that had little to watch, he provided some hope.