On Christmas, the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns proved why they’re the two best teams in the Western Conference.
After the pair of heavyweights exchanged a flurry of haymakers, it was the Warriors who registered a statement win on the road over the Suns in the holiday round of their battle, 116-107.
Golden State’s victory in Phoenix started with Steph Curry. After struggling over his career on Christmas, the Warriors’ Most Valuable Player candidate bounced back with a sizzling 33 point performance on 10-of-27 shooting from the field with six assists, four rebounds and three steals in 37 minutes.
As Curry helped pace the Warriors, Otto Porter Jr. came in clutch with four members of Golden State’s roster in the league’s health and safety protocol. Porter Jr. tallied 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the floor with six boards and three assists in 29 minutes. In the game’s final two minutes, Porter Jr. recorded seven points to put an exclamation point on Golden State’s win.
On the other side of the court, Draymond Green and Gary Payton II fueled another fierce defensive effort for the Warriors. Chris Paul led the way for Phoenix with 21 points on 7-of-14 shooting.
Despite four other players from the Suns scoring in double-figures, no player reached 20 or more points outside of Paul.
After the Warriors notched a victory over the Suns in a potential Western Conference Finals preview, the NBA community on Twitter chimed in with a flurry of reactions on Christmas day. Here is a look at what fans and analysts were saying about Curry, Porter Jr. and the Warriors on Saturday evening.
The post originally appeared on Warriors Wire. Follow Warriors Wire on Facebook and Twitter.
A fully healthy Warriors against the Suns is going to be a helluva Western Conference Finals
— Grant Liffmann (@GrantLiffmann) December 25, 2021
This the first time ALL SEASON Steph getting actual foul calls lol tf gon on
— Shohei Ohtani Stan Account (@AndyKHLiu) December 25, 2021
This the first time ALL SEASON Steph getting actual foul calls lol tf gon on
— Shohei Ohtani Stan Account (@AndyKHLiu) December 25, 2021
Absolutely incredible sequence by Draymond
— Brian Witt (@Wittnessed) December 25, 2021
The Warriors came out ready for this one. The ball movement has been solid, the defensive intensity has been good — and they have controlled the tempo up and down the floor. Draymond already up to 6 assists.
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) December 25, 2021
This might be Draymond Green’s best quarter of what’s been a high-level first half of the season from him.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) December 25, 2021
Is anyone else standing and screaming?
— Warriors Huddle (@WarriorsHuddle) December 25, 2021
JTA has been really good in the early going
— Brian Witt (@Wittnessed) December 25, 2021
When Kuminga turns a corner and starts gaining momentum towards the rim, its going to be fun…
— Grant Liffmann (@GrantLiffmann) December 25, 2021
Warriors don’t have a chance unless Curry makes shots. After rolling early, he’s cooled off
— Marcus Thompson (@ThompsonScribe) December 25, 2021
Warriors got GP2 shooting like Klay from 3
— Shohei Ohtani Stan Account (@AndyKHLiu) December 25, 2021
Fun Fact: This experience for Kuminga is huge for Golden State.
— Warriors Huddle (@WarriorsHuddle) December 25, 2021
Warriors fans distaste for CP3 will make this a good rivalry for the NBA lol and the NBA needs it
— Shohei Ohtani Stan Account (@AndyKHLiu) December 25, 2021
Curry now has a new Christmas Day-high of 21 points. His previous high was 19
— Marcus Thompson (@ThompsonScribe) December 25, 2021
Well, I think we have a new rivalry in the NBA: Warriors and Suns.
— Antonin (@antonin_org) December 25, 2021
JONATHAN KUMINGA WITH THE REVERSE. TIMEOUT SUNS.
— Antonin (@antonin_org) December 26, 2021
What a win for the Golden State Warriors.
Statement has been made.
— Bonta Hill (@BontaHill) December 26, 2021
The Warriors are gonna go far. Very, very far.
— Brian Witt (@Wittnessed) December 26, 2021
Otto Porter Jr. with a tremendous final few minutes, four baskets including a three-pointer and an assist. Warriors beat Sun 116-107 despite losing four players to health and safety protocols, and Golden State moves into first place in the Western Conference.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) December 26, 2021
Otto Porter Jr. said stop playing with him!
— Cameron Fields (@CameronFields_) December 26, 2021
If that’s not a statement win for the Warriors, I don’t know what is. A true heavyweight battle with a flurry of haymakers.
— Tommy Call III (@tommy_III) December 26, 2021
Suns and Warriors just on a different level than the rest of NBA right now. The pace and intensity on both sides of the floor feels as good as it gets. Really really impressive 48 minutes.
— Tommy Call III (@tommy_III) December 26, 2021
Incredibly impressive win from Golden State
Down 5 guys….
— Jason Maples (@JJMaples55_MST) December 26, 2021
GP2 outscored DBook and had the clamps on him.
— warriorsworld (@warriorsworld) December 26, 2021
Healthy Otto Porter is just great to see. Been struggling with injuries throughout his career. Just happy to see him shine on the national stage.
— Joe Viray (@JoeVirayNBA) December 26, 2021
Amazing Suns-Warriors game. Hats off to the Dubs. Think Suns played it right down stretch, just missed open 3s and Otto Porter turned into Michael Jordan 🤷🏻♂️
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) December 26, 2021
Every bucket for the Suns and Warriors felt like it was a momentum changer. Playoff vibes yes, but credit to the talent + IQ blend on both sides of the floor. A true chess match on offense and defense. Really fun game. More, please.
— Tommy Call III (@tommy_III) December 26, 2021
Give it up for Quinndary Weatherspoon who came in off a 10-Day Hardship Exception to give the Warriors some great energy and minutes off the bench in a big game where they were undermanned. 6pts, 1rb, 1stl, 1blk, 3/3 FG, with solid defense.
Don’t sleep on the G League. pic.twitter.com/3R89mc4vwV
— r/Warriors (@GSWReddit) December 26, 2021
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