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00:00Alright, Mike, two of the NBA's most prolific offensive players of all time meet tonight in Houston
00:05as the Rockets host the Golden State Warriors, Kevin Durant and Steph Curry on full display
00:11as we welcome you to NBA Wednesday presented by State Farm.
00:15At age 38, both Curry and Durant continue to amaze.
00:19Drafted two years apart, Durant in 07, Curry in 09.
00:22Many epic battles against one another.
00:25Both own MVP awards and multiple scoring titles.
00:28As teammates, they were part of the last team to win back-to-back NBA titles,
00:33plus a gold medal in Paris in 2024.
00:36And tonight, they play against each other for the 41st time.
00:40Hi, everybody. Dave Pasch alongside Doris Burke and George Sedano.
00:43Some might say that they've turned back the clock.
00:45But, Doris, you can make the case that time has stood still for both these guys
00:49because their numbers in 2026 are just as good as they were a decade ago.
00:5318th and 19th years, respectively.
00:55You don't get this deep into your career without an incredible love and passion for the game,
01:01but also a commitment to what's required.
01:03Think about the kind of conditioning that Steph Curry has got to be in in his 18th year
01:09to continue to do this, dropping defenders from three-point territory.
01:14One of the most prolific shooters in the game.
01:18Second in makes per game.
01:20But this, right now, is where he is elite.
01:2365% on layups and dunks.
01:25A dazzling display nightly like he's in his prime, folks.
01:29On the opposite side, Kevin Durant's number's impressive.
01:32When you consider Houston is trying to achieve more balance,
01:36so he's doing more with less, but it's all very familiar.
01:39That three levels from deep, from the mid-range, which has always been patented,
01:43and then look out 6'11 to the cup.
01:46We can't wait for these two to square off.
01:49Steph Curry second in the league in scoring,
01:51plus his team has won eight in a row.
01:54After an 0-3 start, second team ever to do that.
01:58Dallas was the last, started 0-4 in 0-7, then won 12 straight.
02:02And Kevin Durant, who's played in every game this season,
02:05off to another terrific start.
02:09Our starting lineup's brought to you by New Balance.
02:12Yaxel Lendeborg, the rookie sensation,
02:15along with Pajemski, Draymond Green, and Al Horford
02:17making his first start of the season.
02:19Fred Van Vliet is back for Houston after missing last year due to injuries,
02:23a big reason why the Rockets, like the Warriors, are 8-3.
02:26Alperin Schengen playing it at all-star level as well again.
02:30This is fascinating that Al is starting,
02:32because it means Al checks Schengen,
02:35which means Draymond will check Kevin Durant.
02:39Historically, he has been excellent defensively against KD.
02:46Houston started 5-0, 3-3 since,
02:49coming off a big win against Denver two nights ago.
02:52Curry will start out on Van Vliet.
02:56And a nice cut by Thompson,
02:58and he's having a great season.
03:00Jabari Smith shooting the three right around 45%.
03:04First of all, you'll love the pace at which that offensive set was done
03:08and how quickly the ball moved.
03:15Here's Draymond Green averaging a career low,
03:18three points per game, as Horford has it blocked by Smith.
03:24And then Thompson,
03:27and throws that away off the fingertips of Smith.
03:34The Warriors just finished up a homestand where they won all six of their games,
03:39and now tonight they begin a five-game road trip.
03:44Horford will launch a three,
03:46and Draymond Green trying to track down the rebound,
03:49saves it to Pajemski.
03:51And Horford was open underneath,
03:52but Pajemski takes the three and drills it.
03:56Pajemski's a worker,
03:57and it feels like he has taken a step as a basketball player.
04:01Real confidence in his game right now.
04:03Got the new contract,
04:05and is averaging a career best in scoring.
04:08Shingun drives and dishes to Smith in the corner.
04:10Shot clock inside at 10.
04:13Now Shingun working on the 40-year-old Horford,
04:16and the mid-range shot goes down.
04:19Shingun!
04:21Career high 21 points per game
04:23for the two-time All-Star Alperin Shingun.
04:27Here's Lendeborg,
04:29second among rookies in scoring.
04:31Lost the ball,
04:32but it ends up in the hands of Green,
04:33who gets the basket.
04:35Opportunistic.
04:36Draymond not taking a ton of shots.
04:38Still a huge influence on what happens
04:40with he and Steph, obviously.
04:43Here's Durant.
04:44His usage is down.
04:46He draws the foul there,
04:47and he'll go to the line
04:48to try to complete the three-point play
04:50as Pajemski picks up the personal.
04:57So Kevin, obviously,
04:59has always excelled in the mid-range,
05:01absorbing the bump
05:02and then the contact on the right elbow
05:04by Pajemski.
05:06Mentioned his usage being down.
05:07He's taken five fewer shots
05:09per game that he did a year ago.
05:11Van Vliet's presence
05:12takes a lot of the scoring pressure
05:14and ball-handling pressure
05:15off of Durant.
05:17As he knocks down the free throw,
05:18he was 10-for-10 from the line
05:20the other night.
05:21Always been one of the
05:22elite foul shooters in the league.
05:23Well, I think the beauty
05:24of the return with Fred Van Vliet
05:26is he will take some pressure off
05:28so that he's not being trapped
05:29at the top of the floor, Kevin.
05:30But you can also still
05:32put the ball there if need be.
05:34What a play by Thompson,
05:35stripping Curry.
05:36Now a two-on-one.
05:38Durant soars to the basket
05:39and banks at home.
05:40He's got the last five for Houston.
05:42And that's the challenge
05:43for Golden State, right?
05:44This is a big test for them.
05:46There's length.
05:46There's athleticism.
05:47There's a very good defensive team.
05:50Curry was upset.
05:50He thought Thompson grabbed his arm
05:52and that stripped last time
05:53down the court.
05:54Foreford's three, not there.
05:56Green, the offensive rebound.
05:57Now Curry penetrating.
05:59In the traffic, turns it over
06:00for the second straight possession.
06:03Van Vliet, wide open three.
06:06Shengun with the board.
06:09Spins on Lendebord.
06:11Gets underneath and puts it in.
06:14Very capable on the offensive end.
06:17Shengun has either passer or scorer.
06:20Green off the front rim
06:21and then off the side.
06:24Houston ball, 7-0 run right now
06:26for the Rockets.
06:30Pocket pass to Shengun.
06:31Swing, Smith, his three short.
06:33Rebound, Horford.
06:35And now Curry's taken just one shot so far
06:37in the first three minutes and 12 seconds.
06:46Green cutting and count the basket.
06:49Draymond Green already has four points
06:50more than his average on the season.
06:52Let's watch Amand Thompson checking Steph Curry
06:55because this is the matchup.
06:57Steph thinks he got hit,
06:59but Amand strips it on the way by
07:01and then gets out in the two-on-one situation.
07:03And then Shengun doing some work.
07:06I mean, it doesn't happen fast,
07:08but all those spins and the process,
07:11eventually a shot gets up.
07:13Here's six in the league for Shengun.
07:16He's been shooting it well from three,
07:18and that continues.
07:20Alperin Shengun is now 10 of 20
07:22from behind the arc.
07:23For his career, he shoots 29% from there.
07:29Pajemski a launch, another triple.
07:30That one's short.
07:31Durant's got the rebound.
07:35Van Vliet will let it fly.
07:39And here's Lendeborg with the rebound,
07:41second among rookies and boards.
07:44Pajemski deep into the paint.
07:48Not great spacing right now for the Warriors.
07:51Their offenses look so much cleaner this season.
07:54Changed a lot of things with their structure and system.
07:57Shot clock down to three.
07:59Pajemski from straight on with two.
08:01That's too strong.
08:03One and done again for Golden State.
08:07Attacking is Thompson.
08:08And fouled by Horford.
08:12So, Shengun a season ago,
08:15start of the season,
08:17first couple of games,
08:18looked confident and aggressive.
08:19Totally went away from this part of his game a season ago.
08:23I don't know why he's a 29% shooter.
08:26Like, his touch with left and right,
08:28off spins,
08:30you know,
08:30using footwork.
08:31Like, he's got good touch.
08:33To me, that's a confidence thing.
08:35That's what Ime Udoka told us as well
08:37when we met with him before the game
08:38about Shengun said last year,
08:39a lot of times he pumped fake
08:41when there wasn't a defender there
08:42and he'd drive into trouble.
08:43Now he's just letting it fly.
08:45And he comes into tonight,
08:46the only player in the league,
08:47leading his team
08:48in scoring, rebounding, and assists.
08:51You liken it to the guy
08:53who's check swinging the bat.
08:54Like, you don't quite believe in it.
08:56That's how he looked
08:57when he was standing
08:57on the three-point line open last year.
09:0112-2 run right now by the Rockets.
09:03They lead by 10,
09:04four and a half minutes in.
09:07Golden State is the second-longest
09:09win streak in the league right now
09:10behind the Spurs,
09:12who've won nine in a row.
09:13But they trail the Bulls right now.
09:14Curry 4-3.
09:16That's good.
09:17Curry's 43rd of the season.
09:19He's third in the league.
09:23Averaging better than 30 points per game
09:25for the third time in his career.
09:31Durant off the Shengun screen,
09:33keeps the bounce,
09:34goes to the baseline.
09:35Green flies by.
09:36Durant can't make the shot.
09:38Backside rebound Santos.
09:40Santos and Melton checking in.
09:44Curry trying to get free
09:45from Van Vliet.
09:49Curry drives the lane.
09:50Has it blocked by Smith.
09:51Curry hits the deck again.
09:53And it's a five-on-four for Houston.
09:57Nice pass inside,
09:58but Smith blew the layup.
10:01Curry out in transition,
10:02gives it up as Durant challenges,
10:04and Santos' three not there.
10:07Long rebound poked out to Durant,
10:09who'll take it all the way for the stop.
10:12And Kevin Durant with seven of the 19
10:15for Houston,
10:15and they lead it by nine
10:17midway through the first.
10:23So on the 1-3 Steph made,
10:25watch what happens after.
10:27They're not checking Draymond,
10:28so Draymond wisely just uses the screen.
10:30He sees how far Shingun's back.
10:32Steph makes the three,
10:33but immediately looks a little frustrated.
10:36As we go to go to break,
10:38he went right to Steve Kerr,
10:40essentially to tell him what happened,
10:41but he was heading right back
10:43toward the locker room.
10:44George Sodano on this.
10:45He'll get back to us when he can.
10:47Curry did get knocked down a couple times.
10:49Don't know if anything happened
10:53before that shot we just showed you
10:55that led to that,
10:57but obviously some concern
11:01for the Warriors
11:03as Curry leaves five and a half minutes in,
11:05and his team already down by nine.
11:07Kevin Durant has seven points
11:09on three of four shooting.
11:16Blendeborg hasn't even taken a shot yet.
11:20Pajemski drives into the lane,
11:22lost his footing,
11:23and Smart committed the foul.
11:25Marcus Smart in year one with Houston,
11:2713th in the league.
11:29He's been a nice addition for the Rockets
11:31as their backup point guard.
11:34Picks up the foul there,
11:35the first on the Rockets.
11:38So one of the strengths of the Warriors
11:40this season is obviously
11:41the depth that they have.
11:43The fact that Yaxel has emerged
11:45as somebody who can command the offense
11:47when Steph's not on the floor.
11:49They've actually had positive minutes
11:52without Steph this season.
11:54This young man,
11:56we had a chance to catch up with him pregame.
11:58Impressive as a basketball player,
12:00equally impressive as a young man.
12:02Just an incredible story.
12:0324 years old.
12:05He started out at Arizona Western College
12:08and then UAB
12:09before transferring to Michigan for one year.
12:11Helped them win
12:12their first national championship since 1989.
12:15Then he's picked 11th overall.
12:17And he's the frontrunner
12:19for Rookie of the Year right now.
12:20A seventh of the way
12:22through the NBA schedule.
12:24And a foul inside
12:26as Shingun gets tossed by Bassey.
12:31That's going to be his first.
12:33Bassey going to play hard.
12:35And like George Niang,
12:37he's going to play with a little edge.
12:40Yaxel will play with a little edge.
12:41Like, there's an edge to this group at times
12:43that you love to see.
12:45They're going to need it now
12:46in the absence of Steph here.
12:49Of course, no Jimmy Butler,
12:51no Moses Moody.
12:52Those guys are out until after the new year.
12:54Bassey, good defense on Shingun.
12:56Shot clock down to two,
12:57and Shingun lost it inside.
13:03Three-pointer from Niang
13:05off the side of the rim.
13:06And the Warriors just two for nine from three.
13:09They come in leading the NBA
13:10in both three-point percentage
13:12and made threes per game.
13:15Shingun, swing, Eason.
13:17He'll fire.
13:17Miss a three.
13:20And Bassey clears.
13:28Where's the offense going to come from?
13:30No Curry on the floor.
13:31Maybe Linda Ward.
13:33He's not even close
13:34on his first shot attempt of the game.
13:36A sluggish offensive start for the Warriors.
13:39Shingun in transition with the slam.
13:41Nice find by Durant.
13:43He will go with authority
13:44if he sees a little window.
13:48Nine points for Shingun,
13:50and now a foul is called
13:51as DeAnthony Melton goes to the floor.
13:54Let's watch Shingun get the ball
13:56in the middle of the floor
13:57up this little KD dump down.
13:58I think KD reading the floor as well.
14:01Nobody matching up for Golden State,
14:04and Shingun leaves no doubt.
14:07Shingun, four of five from the floor.
14:09Just picked up his first foul on the other end.
14:12And Melton averaging 10 points per game
14:14on the season.
14:16Gets his first free throw
14:17as we look at the upcoming
14:18national TV schedule
14:19brought to you by Safe Light.
14:21NBA TV tomorrow.
14:22The Mavs off to a good start.
14:24Seven and four.
14:25They'll take on Minnesota.
14:27Just won four in a row.
14:28Then Prime Video Friday.
14:30Knicks at the Pacers.
14:31Golden State at San Antonio.
14:33So if the Spurs and Warriors both win,
14:37they'll have a 10-game win streak
14:39and a 9-game win streak
14:40on the line in that game.
14:42And Spurs playing the Bulls tonight.
14:44Warriors trail by eight here.
14:45Dave Pasch, Doris Burke, George Sedona
14:47will get you a Curry update again.
14:49George is on it as soon as we have it.
14:51Here's Durant from mid-range
14:52and so good from about 18 feet.
14:58Durant, four of five.
15:00He and Shinguna combine eight of ten.
15:04Lendeborg over Durant.
15:06Splashes through a three.
15:08Hey, folks, that's a tough shot.
15:10But again, he's 6'10", 240,
15:12so he's looking eye-to-eye with Kevin Durant.
15:15He's shooting 45% from three as a rookie.
15:18Good defense there with the contest against Durant
15:21by Lendeborg.
15:23Four minutes to play in the first.
15:26Melton lobs, Bassey upstairs.
15:28Couldn't get high enough, though,
15:29to get the errant pass.
15:33Smart, the trailer three.
15:36Got it!
15:38Good find by Kevin Durant again.
15:40He's had a couple assists in transition
15:43in addition to that four-for-six shooting by KD.
15:48Lendeborg.
15:49Can't get that one.
15:50Batted around.
15:51And out of bounds to Houston.
15:54So let's watch Yaxl with Kevin Durant in front of him again.
15:58He's 6'10".
16:00Kevin listed at 6'11".
16:02Challenge is there.
16:03But then on the opposite end,
16:04you've got a challenge.
16:05Watch the contest he gets.
16:07Again, 6'10", 240,
16:09but able to stay in front.
16:11Sits, almost bites on the uptake,
16:14but has enough body control
16:15to go ahead and close the airspace.
16:17Nicely done.
16:18And as a team,
16:19the Warriors' defense has been outstanding this year.
16:21Shepard's three is no good.
16:22We talked to Steve Kerr before the game.
16:24He said that part is sustainable.
16:26At some point,
16:26we're not going to keep shooting it as well as we are,
16:29even though they're certainly capable of great stretches.
16:31But he feels very good about defensively.
16:35Although they've given up 26 so far
16:38and nine minutes here in the first.
16:39And Durant again in the lane.
16:40That's sweet.
16:41He's got 11.
16:42Look out now how KD is cooking.
16:45He said at the top of the show,
16:47think about being this deep in your career
16:49and still the efficiency with which he gets it done.
16:54Perhaps when you think about what he went through
16:56with the Achilles injury,
16:58maybe we've never seen anybody come back
16:59from that injury the way Durant has
17:01as he commits a foul here,
17:03trying to step in front of Pajemski.
17:08The NBA on ESPN is presented all season long
17:11by State Farm.
17:12Like a good neighbor,
17:14State Farm is there.
17:15And in Popeye Popeyes.
17:17Love that chicken from Popeyes.
17:19And the Hyundai Winter Getaway Sales event
17:21going on now.
17:26We mentioned Steph Curry got knocked down
17:28a couple times before that three-point shot.
17:30These are a few possessions prior to
17:32when we saw him wincing in pain.
17:35Saw him go down to the floor once.
17:36Now there.
17:38Grabs his right side towards his back
17:40a couple times.
17:42And then coming off the green screen,
17:45this is after he made the shot,
17:47he knew he needed to come out.
17:50As they get a steal in the basket from Shepard,
17:52let's get a Curry injury update now from George.
17:55Guys, I was posted up outside the Warriors' locker room
17:57as the training staff was taking a look at Steph Curry,
18:01but then they came out.
18:01They closed the curtain to the locker room.
18:04At the moment, I'm awaiting official word from the Warriors.
18:07We'll have more on this in just a moment, Dave and DB.
18:10All right, thanks a lot, George.
18:11They do not have a lot of bodies,
18:12especially in the backcourt.
18:13Gary Payton and Brandon Williams,
18:15both guys normally part of the rotation.
18:17They're out tonight.
18:18A guy that's playing is Will Richard,
18:20and he has a ligament tear in his left thumb,
18:23but he's playing through it.
18:26And that's a kick by Smith.
18:29Or no, they're going to say Santos was out of bounds.
18:31This is part of the challenge that Houston represents for you, right?
18:34Because of the length and athleticism
18:36and the physicality with which they play on the defensive end of the floor.
18:40It's been a staple of Emeo Doka's
18:42since he took his first head coaching job with Boston
18:46and now here in Houston.
18:47It starts on that end with physicality.
18:51Shepard inside.
18:52Eason pass broken up by Lendeborg.
18:54Four on three for Golden State.
18:57Lendeborg attacking and finishing off the window.
19:00Wow.
19:00I mean, that is twice now.
19:02He scored on Kevin Durant, just going right at him.
19:05Eason trying to drive on Pajepsi.
19:07Oh, what a move by Tari Eason with the jam on the reverse.
19:11I'll tell you this.
19:12I mean, the pace with which Houston's getting right to business offensively.
19:17Eight zip fast break points coming out of the last break.
19:19They've got 14 of their points in the paint.
19:23You talk about their athletic ability,
19:26how physical they are on the defensive end.
19:28If they play like this offensively, they're going to be a problem
19:31because that's been the issue the last two years
19:33and why they haven't been able to make it out of the first round.
19:35Tari Eason gets baseline on Brandon Pajemski.
19:38There's some of the athleticism, but think about it.
19:40You know, we spent an awful lot.
19:42As he gets baseline, it goes right to the cup.
19:44We spent an awful lot of time talking about what was missed without Fred VanVleet.
19:49Point guard.
19:50And then you could put Marcus Smart on the ball at a point guard.
19:53That means everybody moves down into their natural position.
19:57You don't have a Ben Thompson at the top of the floor trying to make reads.
20:00You don't have Kevin Durant being blitzed at the top of the floor
20:04every single possession because teams were saying,
20:06somebody other than Kevin Durant's going to beat me tonight.
20:10And whether it's VanVleet or Smart on the floor when he's not,
20:14they've got somebody that can settle things down as well.
20:18Late in game when you need a good shot.
20:21Shepard with five on the timer.
20:22Goes baseline.
20:24And is way off the mark.
20:25Nice contest by Will Richard.
20:28Still a 14-point lead for Houston with a minute to go in the opening quarter.
20:32Steph Curry has been out since the six-and-a-half-minute mark with an injury.
20:36Santos, misfire.
20:38Golden State, three of 14 from three.
20:40Good job by Jabari.
20:42Recognizing trouble defensively and making sure to communicate what he saw in front of him.
20:49Well, Shepard having a rough start.
20:51It's been that kind of year so far.
20:52Just 32% from three.
20:54Pajemski after 40% last year.
20:58Pajemski driving on Smith and Smith fouls him.
21:03First in the last two minutes, Pajemski was in the act of shooting.
21:09First on Smith.
21:15And Pajemski just one of four.
21:17They're going to need a heroic offensive performance for him tonight if Curry does not return.
21:28Well, this Veterans Day, as we continue celebrating America's 250th birthday,
21:32join the NBA family in honoring the service and sacrifice of our military members, veterans, and their families.
21:39We thank them for their unwavering dedication to our country.
21:46Pajemski gets the bounce.
21:47He's three of four.
21:50Chance at a two-for-one here for the Rockets as they lead by 12.
21:57Eason deep in the lane, working on Santos.
22:00Got to put it up.
22:01Does on the turnaround, and it's no good.
22:09Santos has it poked away, and then what a play defensively by Eason.
22:14That looked like a foul by Santos.
22:16Absolutely, Dave.
22:17I was thinking exactly the same thing.
22:19There was a level of physicality he was delivering to Eason to keep him away from the basketball.
22:25No foul was called just out of bounds.
22:27It's Houston ball.
22:28And it's just, they are fast.
22:30They will pressure the ball.
22:32You see Eason gets a hand on it.
22:34But Santos is not only using his right arm, but the right side of his body, basically pushing him out
22:38of bounds.
22:41Bassey checks back in.
22:42So you get Bassey, Green, Lindeborg, Pajemski, and Richard on the floor defensively.
22:47Van Vliet back out there for Houston to run the point.
22:50No final possession of the quarter.
22:54Six seconds left.
22:55Van Vliet finds Shen Good a little out of control.
22:59Van Vliet for a three.
23:00It's good with a second left.
23:04Green will come up short on that heave.
23:07And the Rockets put up 35 in the first and lead by 15.
23:12We've seen this time and again in Fred Van Vliet's career.
23:15The outlet.
23:17The release valve.
23:18He's on point.
23:26Welcome back to NBA Wednesday presented by State Farm.
23:28We were Brandon Pajemski of the Golden State Warriors.
23:30Brandon, if Steph isn't available the rest of this game, how do you guys kind of reset here?
23:35Just a little bit more toughness, grittiness.
23:38They've been outplaying us a little bit more.
23:39He's playing a little bit harder than us.
23:41First game of the trip, so we're just getting settled in and we're going to have to turn around here.
23:44KD kind of got off early there, 11 points.
23:47How do you limit his effectiveness?
23:48Oh, because of lack of physicality.
23:49Gave him space and rhythm and he's one of the best scorers ever.
23:52So, we've got to make it tough on him, be physical, and, you know, not hope he misses, but make
23:56him miss.
23:57All right, Pods, good luck.
23:57Thank you.
23:58Thank you.
23:58Guys.
23:59George Durant was 5 of 7, Shen Goon 4 of 5.
24:02Still no update on Steph Curry.
24:04Left midway through the first.
24:05He was grabbing his right side after a made three.
24:10And still no update from the Warriors.
24:12As soon as we get it, we will deliver it to you.
24:16It's a killer because this team had built such incredible momentum over this eight-game win streak.
24:23It just feels like, you know, the vibes are very Warrior-like.
24:28A lot of joy, playing really hard.
24:31Curry's second in the league in scoring as Eason swats it away from the Yang.
24:38It'll be 1.5 to shoot.
24:40This has happened a couple times.
24:41You think you've got the rocket speed.
24:43And we talk about speed and athleticism, closing speed, length to get that shot, timing to do it without fouling.
24:50But Jenski gets it away in time, and he swishes it through.
24:54Felt like a pig basket, didn't it?
24:57He's got nine points.
25:00L.J. Cryer getting some early minutes for the Warriors in the backcourt again because of the injury to Curry.
25:09Off the bounce, Shepard mid-range.
25:11Maybe that will get him going.
25:14They liked the looks he's got.
25:17He's just not off to the type of shooting we've come to expect.
25:26The Yang puts it on the deck, goes at Shang-Goon, and a foul is called.
25:30All right, let's get the latest from George on Steph Curry.
25:34Guys, Steph Curry, right abdominal soreness will not return tonight, Dave and DB.
25:38So, ruled out for the rest of the game, right abdominal soreness.
25:46And so the Warriors will try to find a way here, despite already trailing by 14, to get a road
25:55win and continue this streak.
25:56As the Yang gets the bounce on the free throw, Shang-Goon picks up his second foul.
26:05So, they're basically down five players that would probably be part of the rotation.
26:12They're certainly on the roster.
26:13Brandon Williams, I don't know if he'd be part of the rotation if Butler and Moody are back,
26:17but those guys are out after knee surgeries, and both are not expected back until after January.
26:24So, but Brandon Williams, part of what they're doing, like, the element he brings off the bench is huge.
26:32Plays with pace, attacks the basket, touches the paint, and in the absence of Steph,
26:37you could really use somebody with that kind of playmaking and shot creation ability.
26:45Cryer picks up the foul, his first.
26:47Because if you think about it now, Steve Curry, a lot of Draymond's minutes,
26:52almost all of them have come with Steph Curry on the floor.
26:56Curry has missed a couple games this year.
26:59Just to manage that right knee, which cost him half of last season.
27:04But again, abdominal strain.
27:06Curry will not return tonight.
27:1212-point lead for Houston.
27:14Minute and a half gone by in the second quarter.
27:16Warriors have already gone 11 deep here today.
27:21Shot clock down at 2.
27:23Cryer sees it.
27:24Launches and connects on a 3.
27:26Played extended minutes the other night and did a nice job.
27:30They're going to need all of that.
27:31Played collegiately at Baylor and then here at Houston.
27:35Won a championship at Baylor back in 21.
27:37Shen Goon cans the mid-range shot.
27:40He just looks so confident with his shooting,
27:42and I love that it's extended out to the 3-point line.
27:46That changes the dynamic for him.
27:48Shen Goon 5-of-6 from the floor.
27:50Here's Melton.
27:52His 3.
27:52No good.
27:53And Shen Goon fouled on the rebound by Horford.
27:57That's 2 on Al Horford.
28:00So watch Alper and Shen Goon start this last action as a screener
28:05and then eventually end up with a shot.
28:08You can see Al is looking to assist on a Shepard play if need be.
28:11Gets back a little late.
28:13All kinds of time for Shen Goon.
28:16Houston and Golden State both at 8-3.
28:19Tied for third in the West.
28:21San Antonio in second.
28:22The Lakers in first at 10-2.
28:26Boston also 10-2.
28:28After another win the night, they also beat Philly last night.
28:35Eason in the lane hangs but can't get it.
28:38And off the fingertips of Shen Goon out of bounds to Golden State.
28:41But that initial play by Niang, like he brought a level of physicality to the two-man action Houston was
28:47trying to run.
28:48He busted it up.
28:50And then Eason forced to take that little mid-range.
28:55Golden State, 5-of-17 from three.
28:57They've only attempted seven two-point shots and made three of them.
29:01They swing to Cryer.
29:03And his rainbow three is there.
29:05He's hit two triples here in the quarter.
29:08I mean, look at it.
29:09It's an eight-point game.
29:09You play a long stretch without Steph Curry.
29:12But you know Steve Kerr's team is going to continue to compete.
29:21Thompson driving on Lendeborg.
29:22Just lost the ball and turned it over.
29:2511-4 run to open the quarter here for the Warriors.
29:28On the Eurostep, the bank goes for Lendeborg.
29:31And Ime Udoka has seen enough.
29:33He calls a timeout with the Warriors back within six.
29:36Offense has gone very, very sour for the Houston Rockets.
29:41It's allowed a Golden State team that continues to compete.
29:45How about Mr. Lendeborg to the cup?
29:48That is 6-10, 2-40 coming at you.
29:51Tune in.
29:56They pass Doris Burke.
29:57George Sedano back in Houston.
29:59The Golden State Warriors trailing the Rockets by six.
30:03Kevin Durant on the bench.
30:04And the Rockets are minus nine since he went to the pine.
30:09Shot clock at 10.
30:11Shen Goon with 11 points.
30:13Matching Durant for the team lead.
30:15Timer down to three.
30:16And Durant has it blocked.
30:19Ball must have hit the rim because they reset the shot clock.
30:22And now a foul underneath.
30:25And now they're saying shot clock violation.
30:26So it was a mistake by the operator of the clock.
30:3024-second violation.
30:31Turnover.
30:32Kevin Durant and Fred VanVleet both sitting on the bench.
30:35And their offense has gone south.
30:37Imei looking for an explanation here.
30:40Yeah, he's wondering because the shot clock restarted.
30:46But it did not appear that it hit the rim.
30:49So it shouldn't have restarted.
30:51And therefore, a 24-second violation.
30:53Imei just wants that explained.
30:57And now Horford going to continue to compete.
30:59I mean, this is the right call, no question about it.
31:02If Imei's complaining about that, he shouldn't be because it was an obvious good block.
31:07But Al Horford now, how much can you extend his minutes, right?
31:11He's typically been in the 20-ish range.
31:15He's already at 10 minutes, and he hasn't scored.
31:18He's 0 for 3.
31:19Here's Lindeborg.
31:20He'll rise up.
31:22Three way off.
31:22Batted out to Horford.
31:24Another three from Crier.
31:26This time a miss.
31:27Lindeborg, good hustle.
31:29Saves it to Melton.
31:32Lindeborg.
31:33Excellent defense.
31:35No, a foul on Thompson.
31:36That's his second.
31:38Well, you love the grit and the fight from the Golden State Warriors.
31:45Another missed jump shot.
31:47Jabari, you think he's got it, but it's Lindeborg's hustle that creates the opportunity,
31:52and then he attacks the cup.
31:54This, to me, is where George Niang is going to fit in a lot of different places.
32:00George is going to get the ball on the floor where it needs to go.
32:03Could have probably taken a shot there.
32:05He's like, ah, I got a pretty good option in the rookie.
32:08Ball's going to move.
32:10Like, George Niang is a good fit here.
32:14First year with the Warriors, 11th year overall in the league.
32:18Getting a breather with Santos back on the floor.
32:20If you're just joining us, Steph Curry injured his abdomen midway through the first quarter,
32:27and he will not return tonight.
32:30He left, went back to the locker room, was looked at.
32:33They ruled it an abdominal strain.
32:35And again, he will not be back this evening.
32:39Five-point game, Warriors on an 11-2 run.
32:42Pull-up jumper Smith, it's good.
32:44And Jabari Smith, Jr., with his second basket.
32:48Career-high 17 points per game for Smith this season in year five in the league.
32:57Lindeborg penetrating baseline.
32:59Rejected by Thompson.
33:01Lindeborg saves.
33:03Shot clock at six.
33:04Santos spinning.
33:06And traveling violation.
33:08Turnover at Golden State.
33:09Boy, how hard does a man Thompson work on the defensive end, folks?
33:14Talking about elite, skilled, stays in front, fights to keep the angle
33:20and prevent the drive-by speed, length, smarts.
33:28And now, think about it, Dave.
33:30He's not trying to play point guard.
33:32He's like, let me just go get the best guy from the opponent and do what I do.
33:36Go rebound.
33:37Get second-chance baskets.
33:41Not a shooter.
33:42Skip pass to Smart in the corner.
33:44And the three goes down for Marcus Smart.
33:46And he knew Melton was going to throw a big-time challenge because of his hops.
33:51He put a lot of air underneath that three.
33:55You're 13 in the league for Smart.
33:5715 in the last five years was with the Lakers last season.
34:01He's got two threes tonight.
34:03Draymond Green's three.
34:05It's good for Green.
34:06He's already got seven points.
34:09I mean, he's spent an awful lot of time this year not taking a lot of shots.
34:13He's averaging almost eight assists playing a great D.
34:16But, like, you've got to take those shots tonight.
34:19His season high prior to tonight and scoring was five.
34:22He's already surpassed it here midway through the second quarter.
34:28Durant still on the bench for the Rockets.
34:32Van Vliet with one to shoot.
34:35Hits the front rim and Lendeborg clears.
34:39Seven rebounds for Yaxel Lendeborg, the rookie, out of Michigan.
34:4324 years of age.
34:47Posting up on Smart.
34:50And Smart battling.
34:52Lendeborg muscles it up and in and draws the foul and then has something to say to Smart.
34:57Yeah, listen.
34:58Smart, because the Rockets will switch so much, Marcus has been down here a few times against Yaxel.
35:03But, again, this guy is so skilled.
35:06He's older as a draft pick.
35:09Great patience on the catch.
35:11Absorb all the reaching and the slapping and the physicality.
35:14Keep your back to him until you're ready to jump hook over that left shoulder.
35:18And then let him here at Yaxel.
35:20We saw him opening night getting into it with Luka Doncic.
35:24And we asked him about that before the game.
35:26He said, I don't mind being bold.
35:29I'm fearless.
35:30I'm not going to back down.
35:32It doesn't matter what you've done in this league.
35:34And he said it very respectfully.
35:38Here's Durant.
35:39Back on the floor.
35:40Takes a three over Lendeborg and drills it.
35:45He can settle you down, can't he?
35:48With just a shot.
35:50It's amazing.
35:5119th year in the league.
35:53Missed the whole season because of the Achilles.
35:5538 years old.
35:59Yet having a phenomenal season.
36:02He's got 14 points tonight.
36:03Lendeborg short turnaround.
36:04Not there.
36:05Rebound Smith.
36:06Quick outlet Van Vliet.
36:07But the Rockets don't have numbers.
36:12Seven-point Houston lead at the five-minute mark.
36:14Durant directing traffic.
36:19Shen Goon.
36:21And now Smith.
36:23Durant.
36:24Lendeborg flies by.
36:25Pull-up jumper.
36:26Back rimmed it.
36:27Shen Goon trying to bat it.
36:29And it's Golden State ball.
36:31Down court to Lendeborg.
36:33Oh, what a block by Smith.
36:35Kept alive for a three from the corner from Richard.
36:38Wow, you love that.
36:39I mean, all around, right?
36:41The elite athleticism on display again for Houston.
36:45But look at the grit and the toughness of this Golden State squad.
36:51Sixth block already for the Rockets.
36:53But the Warriors keep at it and get their eight three-pointer.
36:56They just have five two-pointers.
36:59Durant sizing it up.
37:00His three no good.
37:02Give Golden State credit.
37:04Because they have been an excellent defensive team in the midst of this eight-game streak.
37:07And they dug in a little bit defensively.
37:10Lendeborg knocks down a three.
37:13And Golden State without Steph Curry tonight.
37:17After he got hurt midway through the first.
37:19Back within one.
37:20Shen Goon underneath.
37:21Nice move with two defenders around him.
37:31Lendeborg has 14 points.
37:35Nine coming in the second quarter.
37:37Here, Santos.
37:38Richard reverse layup.
37:40Can't get it.
37:40Rebound Shen Goon.
37:46Smith.
37:47A nice defensive play.
37:48Richard ripping it away.
37:52Richard dribbling with that left hand that's got the torn ligament in his thumb.
37:58Lendeborg with a couple of jab steps over.
38:00Durant takes the shot.
38:02Makes it.
38:02He's got 16.
38:03So, remember, he had a shot block.
38:05Did he care?
38:06No.
38:07Because the next possession, he comes down and scores.
38:09And this is the difference.
38:10Right?
38:11More sustainable without Steph.
38:13Because Lendeborg can carry your offense.
38:16And a Golden State foul back to Houston in a moment.
38:20But a one-point game.
38:21Top of the boy.
38:29Take a look at who's ruling the court.
38:31Brought to you by Burger King.
38:32The eye-popping athleticism of some of these Houston players.
38:36Javari Smith.
38:37We're going to give you two looks.
38:38This block is so good.
38:40This one in particular.
38:42He just closes so quickly.
38:44But this is no ordinary rookie.
38:47And without Steph, you can put him in pick and roll and let him run your offense.
38:51Mr. Lendeborg told us before the game he can battle some confidence issues.
38:55Young man, there is no circumstance under which you should have imposter syndrome.
38:59Because you've got it.
39:01This man is skilled.
39:03He's got size.
39:05He's got to get a little bit better on the defensive end.
39:08But, boy, the grit, the toughness, the game.
39:11We're all for it.
39:12You mentioned the grit and toughness.
39:13He told us Michael Jordan was his favorite player growing up.
39:16That's not a surprise to hear that, of course.
39:18The reason might surprise you.
39:19He said because of the grit and toughness.
39:21He didn't mention the scoring or the championships.
39:24He talked about how tough he was.
39:26Mid-range Thompson spins out.
39:28Almost batted in by Green.
39:30And it's Golden State ball.
39:31A chance to take the lead.
39:33Outscoring Houston by 14 here in the second quarter.
39:36Richards spins in the paint.
39:37Flips it up.
39:38No, but he was fouled.
39:41Van Vliet back on the floor.
39:42Warren promptly picks up the personal.
39:44His first.
39:48And they are over the limit.
39:50So, free throws for Richard.
39:52Looking to give Golden State its first lead of the game.
40:02Richard, in year two out of Florida, missed just one game with that thumb injury.
40:06Elected not to have surgery and just play through it.
40:09Time for tonight's DraftKings player pulse.
40:12Lindeborg averaging 21 points per game.
40:14Good for second among rookies.
40:16He's already at 16.
40:17Durant with 14 points tonight.
40:19DraftKings is now live in all 50 states.
40:22Download the DraftKings app and use promo code TIPOFF when you sign up.
40:25The crown is yours.
40:26These moments, to me, show you why the Warriors, as a more structured offensive basketball team, makes a difference.
40:34You know, your spacing's improved.
40:36You're playing pick and roll.
40:38Yes, you know, you still see some of the actions the Warriors are known for.
40:42The split cuts.
40:42The off-ball screens.
40:44But that structure allows somebody like Yaxel, if you're Steve Kerr, to handle and pick and roll, to be the
40:51decision maker, the shot creator.
40:54Changed a lot of things in the offense.
40:56Some of the younger coaches on the staff made some recommendations.
40:59They looked at all the turnovers they had, knowing that they were getting older, saying they've got to play differently.
41:05And so far it's worked.
41:06Shot clock at three.
41:08And now we've got a defensive three-second violation.
41:11So that's going to be a one-shot technical.
41:15Boy, the individual defense by Niang right there was pretty good against Kevin.
41:22This is a group of Warriors working.
41:24We were talking about Houston defensively.
41:26This Warriors team is working their backside off on the defensive end.
41:31Durant up to 15 points.
41:35Two for two at the line.
41:362-12 on the clock here in the half.
41:38Rockets by one.
41:43Old State trying to hang on.
41:44Do they get Butler back to help them?
41:47And now the question about how long Steph Curry's out after the abdominal strain midway through the first quarter.
41:53Will not return tonight.
41:55Shot clock down to four as Van Vliet drives and banks it home.
41:58Three, two, three.
42:03Two, three.
42:05Three went out.
42:07The Warriors have played very well without him.
42:09Can they continue this plate here in the quarter?
42:14Down three.
42:15They go to Draymond Green with a smaller Van Vliet on him.
42:18Niang for three.
42:19In and out.
42:20And Smith with the board.
42:24Thompson skies over Pajemski.
42:27Misses badly.
42:28Much better job in defensive transition after an eight-zip first quarter fast break.
42:33Warriors doing a better job.
42:34And now Lindeborg gets him back within one.
42:37He's got 18 points.
42:4013 coming here in the quarter.
42:45He leads all rookies in field goal percentage.
42:49And he's 7-13 tonight.
42:51Durant with nine to shoot.
42:53Gives it up to Eason.
42:54His three on the way.
42:55No good.
42:57Thompson trying to save it.
42:59Does to Eason.
43:00Blocked.
43:01That was Melton who swatted it away.
43:03Lindeborg one on four.
43:10And Green, who's averaging seven and a half assists per game, will run the show.
43:16Lindeborg to the corner.
43:17Pajemski.
43:18Good look.
43:19Can't knock it down.
43:20Almost tipped in by the Rockets.
43:22And now Smith's got it.
43:27Van Vliet works down the lane.
43:30And a foul called on the Warriors.
43:33They're going to say it's on Melton.
43:35His first.
43:37Let's watch the Golden State Warriors on the defensive end.
43:41Because Brandon Pajemski is going to just hold vertically.
43:46Right?
43:46You see a man coming.
43:48You just stay straight up and down.
43:51So that, yes, a man is navigating toward the lane.
43:54But you're not fouling.
43:55You're simply trying to make him score over you under duress.
43:58He's done that a couple of times.
44:02Van Vliet hits the first free throw.
44:07You're 11 in the league.
44:09Fourth with Houston after helping Toronto win a championship.
44:12Did not play a year ago.
44:14They missed how steady he is.
44:17His toughness, stability, and the pressure that he alleviates from Durant.
44:24Coming up, halftime presented by Trimfaya.
44:26We'll get Ernie, Kenny, Chris Weber, and Charles' thoughts on the Warriors without Steph Curry tonight.
44:34Five-second difference of the game in shot clocks.
44:36Houston by three.
44:37Lendemore trying to tie it up.
44:40Way off the mark.
44:42And Houston can hold for the final shot of the half.
44:50Shangoon going to check back in.
44:52And so Bassey will come in for defense for the Warriors.
45:01Lendemore still in disbelief over how badly he missed that three.
45:09He's actually older than Jabari Smith, who's been in the league for five years, by the way.
45:13That's the guy he's guarding right now.
45:17Eight seconds to go in the half.
45:18Durant against Bassey.
45:20He'll pull up for three.
45:22No good.
45:24Somehow ends up in Shangoon's hands underneath who scores.
45:28The Rockets with baskets in the final second of both the first and second quarters.
45:33And they lead by five at halftime.
45:36Even without Steph Curry in the second quarter, Golden State still put up 31.
45:41And they outscored Houston with Curry out of the lineup since that injury midway through the first.
45:5056-51 Houston trying to end the Warriors' eight-game win streak.
45:55After the break, back to the studio with halftime, presented by Trumfaya and EJ.
46:12If we get to our spots, whether it's transition or flow, just play.
46:17It'll come out of the wash, right?
46:19We're in space.
46:20You'll recognize the time to go set the screen and dive and play.
46:24All right?
46:26Great job, Yaks.
46:27Keep being aggressive.
46:28We just don't want to stop.
46:29We don't want to just stop and ISO and stand around.
46:34Welcome back to NBA Wednesday, presented by State Farm.
46:37The Golden State Warriors lose Steph Curry midway through the first quarter to an abdominal strain.
46:42Yet only down five because Yaksol Lendeborg, the outstanding rookie out of Michigan, with 18 points.
46:4913 of those in the second quarter.
46:53They outscore Houston 31-21 in the second.
46:57He has 13 of his 18, but they also make six of 12 threes.
47:03Out of bounds, last touch by Van Vliet.
47:05Five on the shot clock, so Melton is starting the second half for the injured Curry.
47:11As Brandon A. Dare and Eric Lewis, two of the officials, have a conversation about who has possession.
47:20The Rockets led by Kevin Durant and Elper and Sengun, both with 15 points in the first half.
47:26Golden State's won eight in a row.
47:29Pajemski with the floater, way off the mark, batted around, and Smith has it quickly ahead.
47:34Knocked out of bounds by Melton.
47:35Let's check in with George Zidano.
47:37Guys, Yaksol Lendeborg, not only is he having a monster season to start the year on the floor,
47:43but off the court, he's made a huge impact as well.
47:45On Friday, Lendeborg posted a video of this moment you're seeing here
47:49where he surprised his mother, Yiselle Raposo, who's battling cancer by bringing her to the home
47:54he recently bought for her in the Bay Area.
47:56The video, as you saw there, begins with the reveal on all those who gathered in front of the house,
48:01family and friends, and he presented a special box containing keys to the house,
48:05saying, welcome home.
48:07Mom is seen smiling, as you saw there, and in disbelief, she was crying,
48:11leaning her head on her son's chest.
48:13She couldn't believe what her son had done for her.
48:15So, guys, Yaksol doing big things on the court, and, of course, doing great things for Mom, too, Dave and
48:20D.B.
48:20And you mentioned the cancer she's battling.
48:23Hope is she'll be able to move into that home by the end of the year.
48:27Yaksol told us before the game, there were times I wanted to quit, but she wouldn't let me.
48:32Had a huge impact on his life growing up.
48:36Born in Puerto Rico, moved to Ohio at age two, and then a couple of stops,
48:40including at Western Arizona College before ending up at Michigan last year.
48:46And right now, the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year, as Green gets tangled up with Thompson,
48:51it'll be a Houston foul, and that's...