Warriors’ Impressive Victory Over Celtics Highlights Depth, Defense, and Resurgence in 2024

The Golden State Warriors made a resounding statement with a 118-112 victory over the Boston Celtics, showcasing a well-rounded, powerful team effort that solidified their status as a serious contender this season. This win marks their fifth consecutive victory on the road and pushes their record to 7-1. Beating the defending champions in their own building is no small feat, and the Warriors accomplished it with a relentless drive in the fourth quarter, executing their strategy flawlessly and maintaining high energy on both ends of the court.

Fourth Quarter Execution: Perfect Precision

The Warriors’ late-game poise was on full display, particularly in the final four minutes, where they scored on every possession, continuously responding to Boston’s attempts to reclaim the lead. Golden State outscored the Celtics 36-31 in the fourth quarter alone, displaying their ability to manage high-pressure situations. Every time it seemed like Boston was ready to strike back, Golden State held their ground, refusing to cede an inch. This consistent execution in the fourth quarter was critical, as it prevented Boston from capitalizing on any momentum they tried to gain.

Curry’s Consistency and Heald’s Spark

Stephen Curry, ever the reliable star, played a pivotal role in securing the victory with 27 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists. Curry, no stranger to quieting the Boston crowd, has been a cornerstone of the Warriors’ success for years, and his leadership on the court remains essential. His poise in the fourth quarter kept Golden State ahead, but it was the depth of the team that truly shone in this matchup.

Buddy Heald’s 16 points off the bench were instrumental in maintaining the Warriors’ offensive energy. Known for his sharpshooting, Heald has been in exceptional form and appears to have found his groove with Golden State, offering the Warriors a potent scoring option outside of their main starters. Curry’s partnership with Heald is emerging as a lethal combination, with Heald playing some of the best basketball of his career, contributing in meaningful ways and finding his place within Golden State’s system.

Depth: A New Dimension for the Warriors

This year’s Warriors team has something they lacked in previous seasons—depth. Beyond their starters, Golden State’s bench has been a reliable source of points, with contributions coming from players like Kyle Anderson (11 points), Jonathan Kuminga (10 points), and Moses Moody (nine points). Even Gary Payton II and Draymond Green played their parts, with Green hitting a crucial free throw late in the game to extend the Warriors’ lead to four points.

The depth has allowed head coach Steve Kerr to experiment with a broad rotation, something he mentioned would be a focus this season. As a result, the Warriors are seeing fresh contributions from a wide range of players. This ability to rely on different individuals at various points in the game has been invaluable, as it reduces the workload on Curry and provides Golden State with flexibility in their offensive schemes and defensive matchups.

Defensive Mastery

Perhaps the most significant change in the Warriors this season has been their defensive capabilities. Ranked as the number two defense in the league, Golden State’s defensive performance against the high-scoring Celtics is a testament to their improvement. They held Boston to only 40 points by halftime and outscored them 32-16 in the second quarter alone. In an era where offensive firepower often steals the show, the Warriors have made defense a cornerstone of their success.

Andrew Wiggins was particularly impressive, tasked with containing Boston’s star, Jayson Tatum. Wiggins’ defense mirrored his 2022 NBA Finals performance, as he relentlessly guarded Tatum and made every shot difficult. Though Tatum finished with 32 points, the relentless pressure from Wiggins in the first half disrupted Boston’s rhythm and prevented them from gaining an early advantage.

The Warriors’ commitment to limiting Boston’s three-point shooting proved successful as well. The Celtics, known for their efficiency from beyond the arc, were held to 35% shooting from three-point range. In contrast, Golden State shot better from the field and held the advantage in both rebounds and turnovers, committing just 11 turnovers with none in the fourth quarter—a crucial factor in their ability to close out the game effectively.

Offense Bolstered by Smart Passing and Paint Dominance

Golden State also demonstrated a balanced approach on offense, outscoring the Celtics 46-36 in the paint and outmaneuvering them in passing efficiency. The Warriors’ ball movement was crisp and intentional, making it difficult for the Celtics to disrupt their flow. This offensive fluidity is something Kerr has emphasized, and it appears the team has bought into this philosophy.

The “Splash Brothers” duo of Curry and Heald continues to be a major asset, with both players ranking as the top three-point shooters in the league. Heald’s 4.6 threes per game lead the team, while Curry remains close behind with 3.9 per game. This duo, combined with strong paint performances from Looney and Green, creates a well-rounded scoring machine that forces opponents to defend multiple threats.