Jordan Poole received a warm reception in his return to San Francisco, but his 25-point performance couldn’t overcome a stellar showing from Stephen Curry and a dominant rookie outing by Trayce Jackson-Davis as the Golden State Warriors rolled past the visiting Washington Wizards 129-118 on Friday night.
Poole, a key contributor to the Warriors’ 2022 championship run before being traded to the Wizards in the offseason, struggled with his shot throughout the game, going 7-for-21 overall and 3-for-12 from beyond the arc. However, he made the most of his trips to the free-throw line, converting 8-of-8 attempts to reach 25 points for the sixth time this season.
Meanwhile, Curry sizzled from downtown, knocking down 8 of his 13 three-point attempts on his way to a game-high 30 points. Jackson-Davis, the Warriors’ highly-touted rookie, continued his impressive play with his second consecutive double-double, grabbing 15 rebounds and adding 10 points.
Chris Paul, who arrived in Golden State as part of the package that sent Poole to Washington, had a relatively quiet night with 4 points, 7 rebounds, and a game-high 10 assists. However, his veteran presence and playmaking ability helped orchestrate the Warriors’ offense, especially given the Wizards’ fatigue playing their second game in as many nights.
The game marked the first meeting between Poole and the Warriors since his controversial trade last summer. Despite the lingering tension, Poole received a warm ovation from the home crowd, acknowledging the cheers with a wave and a smile.
Despite Poole’s respectable scoring output, the Warriors ultimately pulled away in the third quarter, fueled by Curry’s hot shooting and Jackson-Davis’ energetic play. Golden State outscored Washington 34-22 in the decisive period, building a lead that they wouldn’t relinquish.
The win was the Warriors’ fourth in a row, and they head into Saturday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers looking to extend their winning streak. As for the Wizards, they finished their four-game Western trip with a 1-3 record and will head back home to lick their wounds and prepare for their next matchup.
While Poole’s return to San Francisco was an emotional affair, it was Curry and Jackson-Davis who stole the show, leading the Warriors to a convincing victory. Golden State’s balanced attack and renewed defensive intensity appear to be clicking at the right time, making them a force to be reckoned with as the season progresses.
The Washington Wizards, on the other hand, will need to find a way to overcome their fatigue and inconsistency if they hope to compete for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
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