What we learned was Kuminga’s career-high 33 in the Warriors’ win originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – In a preview of the NBA Cup quarterfinals between the Warriors and Houston Rockets, Golden State ended its five-game losing streak with a 99-93 win Thursday night at Chase Center.

After injuries to Steph Curry (double knee soreness) and Draymond Green (left calf strain), Jonathan Kuminga and Andrew Wiggins carried the load for the Warriors. Kuminga scored a career-high 33 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter, and Wiggins scored 22 for a total of 55 points.

In a game featuring two of the NBA’s best defenses, shooting issues arose on both sides, making every point Kuminga and Wiggins contributed even more valuable.

The Warriors have played 13 decisive games in their first 21 games this season, including seven straight and 10 of their last 11. This time they held their opponent back rather than collapsing on the track.

Here are three takeaways from the Warriors’ five-game losing streak.

Pick up the pieces

If the Warriors are without Curry, others will have to provide more offense than usual. Kuminga appeared to be the one ready to take on that larger role and enjoyed his second straight strong first quarter. Kuminga scored eight points with a mid-range jump shot and two 3-pointers to open the game.

But the offense stalled when he first came out. The Warriors had a 14-8 lead at 3:44 when Kyle Anderson came on for Kuminga. With Kuminga on the bench for the rest of the quarter, the Warriors led 14-4 and trailed 22-18 heading into the second.

That’s when Wiggins turned it on. He scored just three points in the first quarter and missed two of three free throws after being fouled on a 3-point shot. But in the second round, he beat the early rust, scoring 12 big points on 4-of-5 shooting while making both free throws, including one on a four-point play.

Kuminga and Wiggins combined for 25 of the Warriors’ 43 points in the first half. Just 53 seconds into the second half, a Kuminga layup forced a Rockets timeout as the Warriors led by 10 points. Through three quarters, Kuminga was up to 19 points and Wiggins was at 18 as no other Warrior had more than eight.

They then scored 19 of the Warriors’ 26 points in the fourth quarter.

Following in Draymond’s footsteps

Finding points without Curry is just one piece of the puzzle. Who would fill Green’s absence?

It turns out it’s a handful of people.

Brandin Podziemski had no assists in the first half, but did have seven rebounds. Podziemski finished with 12 rebounds, the most of his career. Kevon Looney was a team-high plus-16 in the first half and grabbed six rebounds to go and two assists. He finished the game with 11 rebounds as part of his game-high plus 20. Then there’s Anderson, the ever-trusty veteran.

Green’s left calf injury has opened up minutes for Anderson again in the last two games after he sat the entire second half two games ago in Phoenix. The Warriors needed Anderson’s ball-handling ability, as well as his length and basketball IQ.

Anderson played 14 minutes off the bench and posted eight points, two rebounds and two assists.

Attack the weakness

The Rockets selected Reed Sheppard third overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, primarily because he can impress from distance. The only problem for him and the Rockets alike is that Houston has a crowded backcourt. The fact that Sheppard was only making 33.3 percent of his threes entering the night makes it even more difficult for him to find minutes.

Sheppard played a little less than eight minutes in the first half and scored five points on one of his three 3-point attempts. But the small guard was exposed defensively by the Warriors.

Several times in the first half, the Warriors forced Sheppard into every action they could. He missed a three-pointer at the 8:40 mark of the second quarter, only to see Buddy Hield hit a trey on him nine seconds later as Looney checked on the rookie. Less than a minute later, Jalen Green replaced Sheppard, and the rookie didn’t return for the rest of the half.

Ime Udoka didn’t play Sheppard once in the third quarter, but used him early in the fourth quarter.

The real weakness that had to make every warrior smile? Let Dillon Brooks shoot. The Warriors’ long-time nemesis needed eight three-pointers and only made two. Music to Dub Nation’s ears for a much-needed win.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast