SAN FRANCISCO – Warriors coach Steve Kerr stressed the importance of winning Sunday’s “getaway game” before Golden State embarks on a grueling weeklong road trip.
But the Warriors ultimately came up short, losing to the Spurs 110-108 after Keldon Johnson scored off a rebound of a missed free throw with less than a second remaining in the game.
Already without Steph Curry, who is expected to miss at least two weeks with a foot injury, the Warriors had to play most of the second half without Draymond Green, who returned to the starting lineup for the first time since his back injury, after he was ejected in the third quarter for arguing with an official.
Green, visibly upset after he was called for a foul for making contact with the Spurs’ Devin Vassell under the rim, was seen disputing the call with official Marat Kogut, who issued him a technical foul. Eight seconds later, Kogut handed Green a second technical, sending him to the locker room.
Green’s sudden dismissal lit a fire under the Warriors, sparking a 15-7 run to close out the quarter that led to Golden State’s first lead of the game.
Ultimately, the game came down to a set of what Kerr called “bizarre” foul calls in the game’s final seconds.
In the moments prior, Andrew Wiggins was sent to the line after getting fouled with the game tied at 107 with 3 seconds remaining in the game. Wiggins, who converted on only 39.3% of his free throws in the last 15 games, made the first one but missed the second.
Kevon Looney was called for a foul while trying to get the rebound, sending Jakob Poeltl to the line for two. Poeltl hit the first one, but missed the second, resulting in Johnson’s put-back basket to give the Spurs the win.
Jordan Poole led the Warriors in scoring with 28 points. Porter earned his third double-double of the season, finishing with 16 points and a career-high 16 rebounds. And Klay Thompson added 24 points, going 6-for-12 from three-point range.
The Warriors got off to a slow start. The Spurs led by as many as 14 points in the first half, though Golden State got within six entering halftime.
The Warriors remain in third place in the Western Conference standings – 1 1/2 game behind the second-place Grizzlies, who beat the Rockets 122-98 earlier in the evening.
The Warriors are heading out to the East Coast, where they’ll play five games in seven days, including two sets of back-to-backs. They’ll start their trip in Orlando against the 19-win Magic.
