The Warriors have their backs against the wall in Game 2.
But even if not panicking, there is undoubtedly a sense of urgency and desperation for the Warriors. While Curry and Andrew Wiggins were both really solid on Thursday, Thompson and Green didn’t play great. And perhaps more than anyone, they’ll need their youngest star, Jordan Poole, to rise to the occasion and have a much better game than he did on Thursday.
Golden State could also use some of the defensive tenacity that Gary Payton II brings, though he was not used in Game 1 as he still recovers from his elbow fracture. He said he has no discomfort and could play 48 minutes, if asked. Does Payton play at all on Sunday? And if he does, how impactful can he be? Can Green, Thompson and/or Poole step up after their lackluster efforts in Game 1? And can the Warriors avoid dropping both home games to start a series and digging a likely insurmountable hole for themselves?
Follow along as reporters Madeline Kenney, Shayna Rubin and Can Inman and columnist Dieter Kurtenbach break down those questions and more in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.