Stephen Curry hit a season-high eight three-pointers and finished with 30 points and seven assists, outdueling Jordan Poole in the Washington guard’s return to Chase Centre, as the Golden State Warriors defeated the Wizards 129-118 on Friday night.
Poole, who was traded to Washington on draft day for Chris Paul, made the game’s first basket after a video tribute with highlights on the big screen, and finished with 25 points on 7-for-21 shooting but only 3 of 12 on threes.
Before the game, Curry and Poole exchanged embraces, hellos, and welcomes with former teammates, Warriors security, staff members, and other friends.
Poole scored the game’s opening basket on an 18-foot jumper, but missed his next five attempts before converting a driving layup at the 9:39 mark of the second quarter. He was 0 for 5 from deep before hitting.
Curry survived a slow start as well.
The two-time MVP started 1 for 6, but he had five assists in the first quarter. He warmed up and scored three consecutive three-pointers in the second quarter, giving him 11 points in a row. Curry felt he was fouled on a short shot that closed that stretch and clapped for a call, earning him a technical foul. It’s his second of the season and the 27th of his 15-year career.
Curry has now scored 30 points or more in three of his previous four games.
Golden State won its eighth straight home game thanks to Jonathan Kuminga’s first six field goals and 22 points on 9-for-11 shooting. Klay Thompson finished with 20 points and four three-pointers.
As the Wizards completed a four-game West Coast trip, Corey Kispert scored 18 points off the bench and Daniel Gafford added 15 points. They fell to 3-15 on the road.
Rookie Brandin Podziemski returned to the lineup and had 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists for Golden State after sitting out the second half against Boston on Tuesday night with lower back soreness.
But the Warriors without forward Andrew Wiggins because of an illness.
Another Golden State rookie, Trayce Jackson-Davis, shined again. He hit his first three shots and contributed 10 points and season-best 14 rebounds.