Stephen Curry on Friday made a season-high eight three-pointers, and had 30 points and seven assists, outdueling former high-scoring teammate Jordan Poole in the Washington Wizards guard’s return to Chase Center as the Warriors won 129-118.
Poole, traded to the nation’s capital on draft day for Chris Paul, made the first basket of the game following a video tribute with highlights on the big screen and finished with 25 points on seven-for-21 shooting, but just three of 12 from beyond the arc.
“It was wonderful. The video and ovation Jordan got to me was the highlight of the game,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “So well deserved for what he did for our organization, and for our fans and players and coaches, just the work that he put in and obviously becoming a key member of the championship team. Jordan deserved that ovation. It was wonderful to see.”
Photo: AP
Curry and Poole shared a hug before the game, when Poole made the rounds of embraces, hellos and greetings with former teammates, Warriors security, staff members and other friends.
Poole hit the first basket of the game on a jumper then missed his next five attempts before a driving layup at the 9 minute, 39 second mark of the second quarter. He went zero of five from deep before connecting.
Curry also overcame a slow start.
The two-time Most Valuable Player began one for six, but had five assists in the opening quarter. He warmed up and connected on three straight threes in the second period and 11 consecutive points overall.
Curry thought he got fouled on a short jumper that ended that stretch. He clapped asking for a call and was hit with a technical foul.
It is his second technical foul this season and 27th during his 15-year career.
Curry has scored 30 or more points in three of his past four games.
“Playing tomorrow at 5:30[pm] we were really hoping not to have to put Steph back in and he heard me at the beginning of the fourth quarter,” Kerr said. “I said to the other coaches it would be great to not have to put Steph back in and he kind of poked in the huddle and said: ‘No, I want to play.’ That’s who Steph is, he always wants to be out there. It was good, nobody played more than 29 minutes.”
Jonathan Kuminga connected on his first six from the field and finished with 22 points on nine-for-11 shooting as Golden State won their eighth straight home game.
Klay Thompson had 20 points with four threes.
Corey Kispert scored 18 points off the bench and Daniel Gafford added 15 points as the Wizards wrapped up a four-game West Coast trip.
They dropped to 3-15 on the road.
Rookie Brandin Podziemski returned to the lineup and had 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists for Golden State.
Elsewhere on Friday, it was:
‧ 76ers 121, Raptors 111
‧ Heat 122, Hawks 113
‧ Kings 120, Suns 105
‧ Nets 117, Nuggets 122
‧ Rockets 122, Mavericks 96
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