Resting Warriors win meaningless season finale, 123-116

Golden State was locked into the 10 seed before the second quarter was over. But the reserves brought home a winning home record for the season

The Golden State Warriors rested Steph Curry and Draymond Green against the Utah Jazz because they thought the game might not matter in the standings. The early performances from the Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings, and Phoenix Suns guaranteed that it wouldn’t. But a lineup made up of this year’s Santa Cruz Warriors saved the day in a 123-116 win.

Klay Thompson led the way with 25 points in just 19 minutes, hitting six triples, dishing three assists, and even blocking a shot. Perhaps he wanted to make sure the Warriors finished with a winning record at home, which they did, moving to 21-20 on the season at Chase Center.

Coach Steve Kerr pulled his starters midway through the third quarter but the reserves got it done. When Chris Paul and Klay Thompson left the game with seven minutes left in the third quarter, the Warriors trailed 77-72. But thanks to scoring explosions by Moses Moody and Gui Santos, plus some nifty assists from Jonathan Kuminga, the Warriors closed the quarter on a 12-4 run, and led 95-89 after three.

The Kuminga-Santos continued early in the fourth.

The bench got completely cleared in the fourth quarter, with lacrosse superstar Pat Spencer, the newly-signed Usman Garuba, and Santa Cruz Warriors veteran Jerome Robinson all getting significant minutes. Robinson scored five points, including a late three-point play that iced the win for the Dubs.

Garuba had four rebounds and two blocks, and Spencer showed off why he holds the college record for assists in lacrosse with three quality assists and two points. Cam Spencer may have won a national title Monday, but his brother scored in an NBA game. What a week for the Spencer family!

Lester Quinones scored 12 points in his 17 minutes, showing off dunking abilities that fans haven’t much of this year. Clearly he was inspired by the high-flying Santos, who finished with 13 points off the bench.

Brandin Podziemski cemented his charge title, drawing his 38th charge of the season. Fun fact! Last year, the Warriors’ entire team had 38 charges on the season. Perhaps it’s contagious. Kuminga drew his very first charge of the season during the first half. Draymond Green finished tied for fourth in the NBA with 21.

Golden State finished with a 46-36 record, a two-game improvement over last season. But the improved Western Conference means they’ll finish in tenth place, rather than sixth. (In the Eastern Conference, they’d be in eighth.)

The opponent remains the same, however. They’ll face the Kings in what should be a very loud No. 9 vs. No. 10 game Wednesday night in Sacramento, with the winner advancing to play the winner of the Pelicans-Lakers game Tuesday. Golden State will have a well-rested Curry and Green for the winner-take-some matchup, with Green reuniting with one of his many nemeses, Domantas Sabonis.

It’s a battle for the heart and soul of Interstate 80 between Vallejo and Fairfield. We doubt Gui Santos will be a factor in that contest, but it’s reassuring to know he’s ready.