Poole, Thompson rally Warriors back to beat Blazers 123-105

Wed, Mar 1, 2023
NBA News (AP)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Jordan Poole had 29 points, six assists and five rebounds, Klay Thompson scored 23 points and the Golden State Warriors rallied past Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers, 123-105 on Tuesday night.

Lillard had 25 points and seven assists to follow up his franchise-record and career-best 71-point masterpiece against the Rockets on Sunday night, when his 13 3-pointers were one shy of Thompson's NBA record.

Lillard was whistled for three quick fouls after halftime and Portland unsuccessfully challenged his fourth personal. The Warriors capitalized on every chance during their decisive 39-point third quarter, taking the lead for good on Thompson's 3-pointer with 1:46 left in the period on the way to winning a fourth straight at home and eighth in nine.

Poole's jumper with 6:14 to play in the third got Golden State within 74-67, then Thompson's jumper at 4:59 made it a two-point game as Golden State came back from 23 down after losing 125-122 in Portland on Feb. 8.

Jonathan Kuminga delivered a high-flying one-handed dunk down the middle late in the third certain to make the highlight reels, then another shortly after to aid the comeback. He scored 16 on 8-for-10 shooting.

Lillard had 15 points on 5-for-8 shooting in the first to help the Blazers build a quick 39-22 lead and score 41 in the opening period. He shot 9 of 21 for the night.

Thompson and Lillard were the league's two most prolific shooters from long range in February, Thompson averaging an NBA-best 5.6 3s per game for the month to Lillard's 5.3.

Thompson has been working on being a better rebounder and grabbed eight to go with four assists. He and Poole began a combined 6 for 22 as the Warriors trailed 65-48 at halftime.

It marked the first meeting since Portland dealt Gary Payton II to the Warriors ahead of the trade deadline, then Golden State expressed concerns to the NBA about how much the Trail Blazers shared regarding the guard's health. Payton is currently sidelined still recovering from offseason surgery for a core muscle injury.

"Just wanna hoop!!" Payton posted on his Twitter account.

Draymond Green returned from a two-game absence with a bruised right knee then injured his left wrist at the 9:15 mark of the second in a collision with Drew Eubanks and went to the locker room before returning about four minutes later.

He underwent an MRI exam for the knee on Monday, then participated in the shootaround before being deemed ready to play.

GPII'S REUNION

Portland coach Chauncey Billups tried to keep the focus on basketball and none of the drama surrounding Payton's departure earlier this month.

"Just another day," Billups said, "I'll be happy to see him, embrace him and give him some love."

LOONEY'S STREAK

Kevon Looney, whose 24 games with double-digit rebounds are most for Golden State since Green had 37 in 2015-16, saw the end of a stretch of six straight games with 13 or more rebounds but did score 14 points with seven rebounds.

Larry Smith is the last Warriors player with at least 13 rebounds in seven consecutive games when he twice had eight straight such games in 1980-81.

"What Looney's doing on the offensive glass is incredible," Billups said.

TIP-INS

Trail Blazers: Portland shot 12 for 39 from deep and got outrebounded 45-33. ... The Blazers have lost the last five on the Warriors' home court.

Warriors: Stephen Curry, the reigning NBA Finals MVP, is increasing his workload and scrimmaged earlier in the day with Golden State's two-way players and backups. He missed his ninth straight game with a left leg injury after getting hurt against Dallas on Feb. 4 and a formal update on his progress should come in the next few days. ... Andrew Wiggins sat out a fifth consecutive game while dealing with a family matter.

UP NEXT

Trail Blazers: Host New Orleans on Wednesday night to conclude the road-home back-to-back.

Warriors: Host the Clippers on Thursday night having won the last four in the series at home.

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