National Basketball Association

Spurs spank Warriors in late-season statement game

Published Apr. 6, 2015 10:58 a.m. ET

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By John Wilmes

Last week, we told you the San Antonio Spurs were back in championship form. Over the weekend, they confirmed this theory emphatically.

Their 107-92 thrashing of the league-leading Golden State Warriors was never close. Kawhi Leonard made the Warriors’ usually impeccable offense look helpless against the veritable giant quid he creates with his long, relentless arms — Leonard had seven steals in the game. And the Spurs’ passing has rarely been as gorgeous as it was yesterday; with their thrilling chain reactions of ball movement they find open men that even the most expert of viewers have a hard time noticing.

The Warriors have enjoyed a 63-win season largely by being smarter than anyone they face. From their terrific coaching staff — including Steve Kerr and major luxury assistants Ron Adams and Alvin Gentry — to their role players, Golden State has a very impressive brain trust. But San Antonio showed us yesterday that theirs is probably better. They had the Warriors’ moves figured out before they were made, on both sides of the ball.

They were also able to thwart the Warriors’ scintillating perimeter shooting perhaps better than anyone has all year. Golden State shot just 9-for-28 from beyond the arc in the contest, with Steph Curry ultimately getting his (5-of-10 from deep for 24 points overall) but with Klay Thompson being held to just six points, and Harrison Barnes a mere four.

The loss is a reality check for the Warriors. As excellent as they’ve been all season, they need to be even better to take down a dialed-in version of the 2014 champions. Golden State might be making history this season, but the title is still the Spurs’ to lose.

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