March 2021 Golden State Warriors Wiretap

Kristaps Porzingis Fined $50,000 By NBA For Going To Club

May 25, 2021 9:29 PM

The NBA has fined Kristaps Porzingis $50,000 for violating the rule prohibiting players from going into any bar, club, lounge, or similar establishment, regardless of the player’s vaccination status.

Porzingis violated the rule when he attended a club on May 23. In consultation with medical experts, and based on all facts and circumstances, it was determined that his attendance did not create risks related to the spread of COVID-19 and therefore no quarantine is necessary.

Sources tell Tim MacMahon of ESPN that Porzingis briefly attended a Los Angels strip club. Porzingis has been fully vaccinated. 

The NBA released an additional statement explaining the difference between Porzingis receiving a fine while James did not for attending a promotional event for an alcohol brand he backs.

"While we understand the inclination to compare [Porzingis'] incident to protocol violations by other players, including LeBron James, those facts are very different," NBA spokesman Mike Bass said Tuesday. "LeBron briefly attended an outdoor event related to an individual commercial activity where everyone was either required to be vaccinated or return a negative Covid test. The league reviews each potential protocol violation on a case-by-case basis, and determines quarantines and imposes discipline based on the individual facts and circumstances of each matter."

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Tags: Kristaps Porzingis, Golden State Warriors, NBA, NBA Fines

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Warriors-Grizzlies Averages 3.6M Viewers, 2nd Most Watched Game Of Season On ESPN

May 25, 2021 8:18 AM

Friday night's Play-In Game between the Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies averaged over 3.6 million viewers, according to Ben Cafardo of ESPN.

It was the second most watched game of the season on ESPN, and won the night across primetime and in all key demos.

The Play-In Game between the Lakers and Warriors drew ESPN's best NBA rating since 2019.

Ben Cafardo/ESPN

Tags: Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Warriors 'Pretty Confident' In Odds Of Signing Stephen Curry To Extension

May 24, 2021 2:34 PM

The Golden State Warriors hope to sign Stephen Curry to a contract extension this offseason.

Curry helped carry the Warriors to the Play-In tournament and will finish no worse than third.

"I feel pretty confident we'll get something done," said Bob Myers on an extension.

Curry is currently on schedule to be a free agent in 2022.

Curry could sign a four-year, $217 million extension this offseason.

Connor Letourneau/San Francisco Chronicle

Tags: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Draymond Green: Warriors 'Clearly A Ways Away' From Winning Title

May 22, 2021 12:55 PM

Draymond Green said that the Golden State Warriors were "a ways away" from winning the title, but could be on the right path with some tweaks to the roster.

"We're not in the playoffs, so we're a ways away ... so we got a ways to go because we're not in the playoffs -- so we're far away. Because in order to win a championship, you got to be in the playoffs. So we're clearly a ways away -- a few tweaks here and there, and we're not that far. But right now we're a ways away because we're not in the playoffs," said Green following the Warriors' 117-112 loss to the Grizzlies in the play-in game.

Steve Kerr echoed Green's disappointment, though added that the team could build upon this season.

"The ball just didn't go our way, but we've had a lot of great breaks over here over the years and a lot of bad ones the last couple years, with injuries especially. All in all you have to look at this season as a success and something to build on," said Kerr.

Steph Curry finished with 39 points on Friday night, though also had seven turnovers. 

The Warriors turned the ball over 41 teams over their two play-in games.


Nick Friedell/ESPN

Tags: Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors, NBA, NBA Playoffs

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Lakers-Warriors Draws ESPN's Best NBA Rating Since 2019 Conference Finals

May 20, 2021 5:51 PM

ESPN's coverage of the Los Angeles Lakers' win in the Play-In Game over the Golden State Warriors was the highest rated telecast on the network since the 2019 Western Conference Finals.

The game generated 5,618,000 viewers and peaked with 6,149,000 for the last few minutes.

The game was up 190 percent from the single Play-In game in 2020 between the Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies.

It was also the second-most watched NBA game of the season, trailing only the Lakers and Dallas Mavericks on Christmas Day. 

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Tags: Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA

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Stephen Curry: We'll Be Ready For Memphis

May 20, 2021 11:14 AM

Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors narrowly lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in Wednesday's play-in and will have to beat the Memphis Grizzlies for the second time in less than a week in a win-or-go-home game.

"We'll be ready," Curry said after the game. "Right now, it sucks. We played pretty well tonight. Missed this type of environment. It was a lot of fun -- high intensity, high competitive level. Proud of everybody that set foot on the floor tonight.

"They made a run in the third quarter, we turned the ball over and changed the game. We still gave ourselves a chance to win."

The Warriors had a 13-point lead at halftime over the Lakers.

"We've had to do it the last 20 games, so it's no different," Curry said, while discussing why he believes the group will be able to rally. "It is a win-or-go-home scenario, but we've had a high confidence and put together a string of wins and had a tough loss and had to bounce back, so we've been there.

"We're obviously very familiar with Memphis and understanding what it's going to take to beat those guys again. ... We're a good team right now that knows how to compete and carry that same identity into Friday and come out swinging."

Nick Friedell/ESPN

Tags: Golden State Warriors, NBA

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Anthony Davis: Lakers Need To Stay Locked In On Steph Curry 'At All Times'

May 19, 2021 1:12 AM

Anthony Davis and Dennis Schroder discussed the importance of stopping Steph Curry ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers play-in tournament game against the Golden State Warriors.

"We know who the head of the snake is, it's Steph. We got to do our best to contain him. It's gonna be a team effort, not just all the pressure on the guards. ... We got to make sure we keep an eye on him and stay locked in on him at all times," said Anthony Davis.

The Lakers starting backcourt of Schroder and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will be tasked with defending Curry.

Curry averaged 23 points in three games against the Lakers this season.

"He's the best shooter who has ever played this game. So, any shot, whatever comes from half court on, it's a good shot for him. At the end of the day, you got to make it as hard as possible and be into him and limit his 3s," said Schroder.

Steve Kerr said that he trusted Curry and Draymond Green to solve any defense the Lakers presented.

"We anticipate they're going to throw the kitchen sink at Steph. Multiple defenders, different matchups, some blitzes, some kind of shadowing, that type of stuff. We've kind of seen everything, Steph has seen everything. Draymond [Green] is probably the key in terms of when they do throw stuff at Steph, Draymond has an answer with all of his screening and dribble handoffs and that sort of thing, so they're fun to watch together."

Dave McMenamin/ESPN

Tags: Anthony Davis, Dennis Schroder, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Playoffs

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Russell Westbrook, Stephen Curry Named Players Of The Month For May

May 17, 2021 7:03 PM

Russell Westbrook and Stephen Curry have been named the NBA's Players of the Month for May.

Westbrook averaged 26.3 points, 16.1 assists and 13.6 rebounds.

Curry averaged 36.8 points, 5.6 assists and 5.1 rebounds as the Golden State Warriors went 8-1.

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Tags: Golden State Warriors, Washington Wizards, NBA, NBA Award

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LeBron James Endorses Stephen Curry For MVP

May 17, 2021 11:24 AM

LeBron James endorsed Stephen Curry for MVP this season. 

"I mean, just look at what he's done this year," James said. "I don't know anything else if you're looking for an MVP. If Steph is not on Golden State's team, what are we looking at?

"We get caught up in the records sometimes. We get caught up in the, OK, who has the best record, instead of just saying who had the best season that year. And Steph has had, in my opinion, the best season all year."

Curry and the Golden State Warriors will play LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in a play-in game on Wednesday. 

Nikola Jokic is widely expected to win MVP with Curry in contention alongside Joel Embiid. 

Dave McMenamin/ESPN

Tags: Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA

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Steve Kerr After Steph Curry Wins Scoring Title: 'He's Never Been Better'

May 17, 2021 12:58 AM

Steph Curry scored 46 points in 40 minutes during the Golden State Warriors 113-101 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Curry clinched the scoring title, while the Warriors clinched the No. 8 seed in the West with the win.

"He's been great for a long time, though, so it's hard to say he's at his best now because he's been like this for years. I think what's different this year is just the supporting cast is different. We've got a much younger team; he's been asked to do a lot more with this group and he's gone above and beyond what we've asked of him.

"Just an incredible season and I'll just leave it at that. He's never been better than he is right now," said Steve Kerr of Curry's play this season.

Curry averaged 32 points this season, with his previous career-high at 30.1 points per game.

Curry is also the second oldest scoring champion at age 33.

"I've been blessed to be back healthy and be able to just play night in, night out at a high level. And the work that goes into it, it pays off, and it's something that I really, really rely on, especially at this point in my career. As the years go on, that is the difference-maker for me. Nobody really sees it on a day-to-day (basis), but I'm really proud of what I put into it, and the team -- they know who they are -- that help me and push me and motivate me. I'm going to keep doing that until I can't anymore," said Curry after the game.

The Warriors play the Lakers on Wednesday night in the Play-In Tournament. 

Nick Friedell/ESPN

Tags: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ, NBA Playoffs

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Lakers Versus Warriors Highlights Play-In Tournament Starting Tuesday

Chris Haynes/Yahoo! Sports

Warriors-Grizzlies On Sunday Will Determine Eighth/Ninth Seeds

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Warriors To Sign Gary Payton II For Remainder Of Season

Shams Charania, Anthony Slater/The Athletic

Juan Toscano-Anderson Signs Two-Year Contract With Warriors

Shams Charania, Anthony Slater/The Athletic

Steve Kerr: I Have Great Belief In James Wiseman

Marcus White/NBC Sports

Steph Curry On Bradley Beal's Scoring: 'I Know What He's Doing'

Nick Friedell/ESPN

Warriors To Convert Juan Toscano-Anderson To Standard Contract, Sign Jordan Bell To Two-Way Deal

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Damion Lee Tests Positive For COVID-19 Despite Vaccination

Nick Friedell/ESPN

Kelly Oubre Jr. Will Not Require Surgery, Expected To Miss 1-2 Weeks

Chris Haynes/Yahoo! Sports

Julius Randle, Stephen Curry Named Players Of The Month For April

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Draymond Green On Steph Curry Following Warriors Win: 'Teams Are Terrified Of Him'

Nick Friedell/ESPN

Stephen Curry: Playing Whole Career With Warriors 'A Priority'

Ramona Shelburne/ESPN

Stephen Curry Feels Deserving Of MVP

Ramona Shelburne/ESPN

Kelly Oubre Jr. Has Torn Ligament In Wrist, Fractured Palm

Shams Charania/The Athletic