Warriors

On Steph Curry's 35th birthday, Under Armour is bringing back the "Protect This House" slogan 20 years after they debuted it.

“There was a fusion into the culture and sports world, of what that means for each individual. “We used to say it all the time when we used to take the floor at Charlotte Christian,” Curry said, referring to his high school in North Carolina. “For those of us who were around 20 years ago, when the ‘Protect this House’ campaign first dropped, there was a movement around it,” Curry said. The “Protect This House” slogan, which Under Armour debuted in 2003, is being revived for its 20th anniversary, and Curry is the most prominent face of the campaign. It’s a plea to be remain true to one’s commitment, individually and collectively. “We are the NBA’s quintessential ‘Protect this House’ team right now.”

Klay Thompson exploded for 33 first-half points in the Warriors' win over the Suns on Monday night.

As you might have heard, the Warriors are basically the Process Sixers on the road, going 7-26 away from the Chase Center this season. They've also been plagued by slow starts, home and away; according to the ESPN broadcast, the Warriors were -107 in the first quarter in their past 12 games. The Warriors basically could not afford to lose on Monday night.

Phoenix already won the season series with three wins in four meetings but there was still plenty to play for, as Golden State entered the game just 2 ½ games ...

Together, the Warriors and Kings made 46% of their threes against the Suns in the last two games. The Suns went on an 8-0 run to cut Golden State’s lead to 77-69 with 8:27 left in the third quarter. Golden State could move up in the Western Conference standings and enable a first-round matchup against the teams. The Suns are trying to survive without Durant. The Warriors also had 19 fastbreak points compared to Phoenix’s nine. “Their shot-making in general in the first quarter put us in a whole. The Suns had won four straight games against the Warriors dating back to last season while Golden State had won seven straight games at home. He finished with 38 points to lead the Warriors. “Much of it was in the first quarter,” Suns coach Monty Williams said. Golden State’s offensive prowess continued in the second quarter. Phoenix lost to Golden State, 123-112, at Chase Center in Oakland Monday night in front of 18,064 fans behind a 54.2 percent shooting effort from the Warriors that included 19 made 3-pointers. Golden State won by double digits, but the game had swings in which each team took control.

Unlike many Warriors games as of late, the team got off to a fast start, outscoring the Suns 43-21 in the first quarter. Although the Suns slowly crawled back ...

[Excellence of Execution: How well-executed set plays ignited the Klay Thompson explosion against the Suns](https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2023/3/14/23639166/warriors-suns-klay-thompson-film-breakdown) [Player grades: Warriors vs. [Stephen Curry at 35: ‘I feel like I got a lot left’](https://andscape.com/features/stephen-curry-at-35-i-feel-like-i-got-a-lot-left/)(Andscape) [Warriors’ season-best start keys win vs. After he was done [reminding Suns guard Chris Paul what year it was](https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1635501768460337155?s=20), Curry took to the podium with his fellow Splash Brother who shared a wholesome moment with the birthday boy in a way only Klay would ever be able to do. Curry called the plane from Klay his gift.— Janie McCauley (@JanieMcCAP) I remember the last three years of his career he had a back spasm problem in Milwaukee. I just remember all the work he had to do to play those last three years. Although the Suns slowly crawled back to start the second half, Golden State was able to put the game away thanks to the help of 61 combined points from the Splash Brothers. The way I feel right now, who knows?” After the game, Thompson discussed if previous down games against Phoenix were responsible for his big scoring output on Monday night. “How I feel right now is not how I thought I’d feel at 35. The work I put into this I still enjoy. Unlike many Warriors games as of late, the team got off to a fast start, outscoring the Suns 43-21 in the first quarter.

Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors got the last laugh Monday night when they defeated Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns in a...

Thompson torched the Suns for 33 of his game-high 38 points in the first half. The 33-year-old Thompson is currently averaging 22.3 points per game. [Golden State Warriors](/nba/golden-state-warriors) got the last laugh [Monday night](https://clutchpoints.com/nba-odds-suns-vs-warriors-prediction-pick-how-to-watch-3-13-2023) when they defeated Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns in a battle between [Pacific Division rivals](https://clutchpoints.com/warriors-news-stephen-curry-drops-fiery-chris-paul-trash-talk-that-will-make-you-feel-old) at home, 123-112.

Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry and Jordan Poole combined for 81 points in an encouraging performance for the Golden State Warriors on Monday night.

He remains a crucial factor in the Warriors’ hopes, particularly while Andrew Wiggins and his scoring remains absent from the lineup. He took less shot attempts than Thompson and Poole, dishing seven assists as he repeatedly displays the unselfishness that’s defined his game for over a decade. Poole’s struggles have been magnified in recent times, but Monday was an encouraging performance as he seeks to navigate a sixth man role.

Paul acted like he had no idea what happened in 2014, which is hilarious in its own right.

In fact, one of his most famous moves ever also came at the expense of Paul, also along the baseline, back when Paul was still a Clipper. What he did on Monday, keeping his dribble alive, bodying Paul and leveraging his way along the baseline for a finish through contact, that's a more recent addition to Curry's arsenal. Again, 2014 was the last time Paul got one over on Curry and the Warriors. Curry takes a special pride in his strength, which is a legitimate part of his game these days. After the finish, Curry appeared to say, "This ain't 2014 no more." Curry is sort of stating the obvious here. That kind of bully ball wasn't there in 2014. He was capable of dumping any defender with his slick handle, even back in 2014. [Stephen Curry](/nba/players/1685204/stephen-curry/) was coming of age as an [NBA](/nba/) All-Star, [Chris Paul](/nba/players/555969/chris-paul/) was something of a bully brother to him. Yeah, this is the good stuff. You don't have to be Sherlock Holmes to figure out what Curry references here. A supremely tough matchup for Curry as he was still building his own strength and figuring out how to apply it best, literally and figuratively.

Cameras caught Stephen Curry shouting 'this ain't 2014 no more' during the Golden State Warriors 123-112 win over the Phoenix Suns on Monday.

I don't know what happened in 2014." "S**t, I don't know what happened in 2014. Oh, I don't know about that 2014. What happened?" No, he didn't say it to me. "Did he say it to me?

Warriors' Draymond Green, who delights in getting underneath opponents' skin, appreciated Steph Curry's mean trash talk towards Chris Paul.

[Draymond Green](/nba/players/a6200920/draymond-green), as someone who delights in getting underneath his opponents’ skin, appreciated Curry’s mean trash talk towards the Suns guard. Curry also [wanted to twist the knife](https://clutchpoints.com/warriors-news-stephen-curry-drops-fiery-chris-paul-trash-talk-that-will-make-you-feel-old) on Paul’s wounds over the years after screaming out loud that it’s “not 2014” anymore – which was the last year Paul gained the upper hand over him in the postseason. Thus, Green could not help but bask in his adulation for the bravado his beloved teammate and friend showed by talking some smack towards Chris Paul.

Despite Steph Curry and Chris Paul's long history, it appears there's a small chunk of time the Phoenix Suns star has blocked from his memory.

For the second straight game, the Warriors' defense set the tone as they managed to beat the Suns for the first time this season.

The Phoenix Suns have lost their last two games without injured Kevin Durant, falling, 123-112, Monday at defending NBA champion Golden State.

The Suns and Warriors may very well face each other in the first round. Golden State is one of them with Thompson, Curry and Jordan Poole, who finished with 20 points Monday. [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) or contact him at 480-787-1240. Here are five takeaways from Phoenix’s first loss to Golden State in their fourth and final matchup of the regular season. The end result was Golden State finally getting a much-needed win over Phoenix. 25, Thompson was playing with that edge that helped make him one of the game’s best two-way players. They’ll score even more with Durant. Got Jae Crowder coming back to Phoenix for the first time after not playing a single game for the Suns while waiting on a Should’ve taken more because Kevon Looney can’t match him physically inside. [ankle injury](https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2023/03/09/kevin-durant-ankle-will-be-re-evaluated-in-three-weeks-suns-officials-said/69991227007/), but in a game like this when Ayton has the size advantage, even with two defenders in the paint, the Suns must find him earlier and he needs to do more catch-and-turn and less dribbling. [Saturday’s loss to Sacramento](https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2023/03/11/five-takeaways-from-suns-falling-to-kings-minus-injured-kevin-durant/69998677007/) as the Suns gave up transition points even after made baskets. [Our game-by-game predictions on how the Suns will fare without injured Kevin Durant](https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2023/03/10/how-will-phoenix-suns-do-without-injured-kevin-durant/69995507007/)

Despite Steph Curry and Chris Paul's long history, it appears there's a small chunk of time the Phoenix Suns star has blocked from his memory.

"It's all competition," Curry said after the game when Rankin asked about the comment. It certainly isn't 2014 anymore, and the Golden State guard, Curry yelled it wasn't 2014 anymore at Paul, invoking memories of the Los Angeles Clippers' opening-round NBA playoff victory over the Warriors nine years ago. "I don't know nothing about that, 2014," Paul told Rankin. I don't know what happened in 2014." [Warriors' 123-112 victory](https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/warriors-observations-defense-klay-thompson-fuel-win-over-suns) over the Suns on Monday night at Chase Center, Curry had some words for Paul after muscling through the opposing point guard and making a layup.

JaMychal Green brings the dog mentality to Dub Nation, and the Warriors love it.

Thompson was on fire in the first 24 minutes Monday, with eight 3s and 33 points before halftime.

[Clippers](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/clippers/), [Hawks](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/hawks/), [Grizzlies](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/grizzlies/), [Rockets](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/rockets/) and [Mavericks](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/mavericks/). [Andre Iguodala](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/andre-iguodala-7RfErxUArIzNaN3b/) was a plus-19 in 16 minutes and even had a reverse dunk. [Moses Moody](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/moses-moody-DWiWYSvhS0V9PHzX/) was helpful in a cameo, filling the rotation spot of the deactivated [Ty Jerome](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/ty-jerome-KpToHuCIKQKMUKrt/), who is no longer eligible because his two-way contract has expired. He got his level of early-season revenge and sparked the Warriors to a necessary home win in the process. [Kevon Looney](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/kevon-looney-uZPgrCxwsC4SkmF8/) while [Stephen Curry](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/stephen-curry-toS7DgUD3IIt7uds/) sets a screen on Booker, who gets lost. [JaMychal Green](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/jamychal-green-pQKqEPycG3vC0TX0/) had nine points, seven rebounds, two steals and a block in 21 loud minutes. Thompson cooled off in the second half, and the Suns briefly threatened to make it a game. [Phoenix](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/suns/) and Booker an up-close reminder until Monday. He posts him up, powers into a layup and then gives a too small taunt to the Suns bench as he runs down the court. A couple of weeks later, the [Warriors](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/warriors/) went back, Thompson went big game hunting in redemption and missed 11 of his 17 shots, earning some internal criticism from teammates for selfish shot selection. [Deandre Ayton](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/deandre-ayton-PlF5bckQOtrRhpgu/) doesn’t jump out. After only 19 minutes and a 1-of-8 shooting line, he lit into Devin Booker and eventually the entire Suns bench with a four-championship taunt [to remind them of his past](https://theathletic.com/3731598/2022/10/26/klay-thompson-ejection-warriors/).

JaMychal Green brings the dog mentality to Dub Nation, and the Warriors love it.

"A lot of people turn to him when things are kind of heating up in the game. The Warriors are his fifth franchise, and they've had their eyes on him for years. Soft spoken but with a deep, strong voice that calls for a purpose, Green has earned his respect around the NBA. "When we played Milwaukee, Brook [Lopez] was sitting in the paint. The Warriors had seen the 6-foot-8 stretch big hurt them from deep enough in the past to know he was still capable of doing so. Once we get downhill and break down the defense, we can kick, swing, drive again and that's when we get whatever we want. That's great for chemistry, that's great for a team's morale and J-Mych has provided that." Lee then drove past Green but elbowed him while the Warriors big man was called for a foul, and then Lee proceeded to push Moses Moody to ground at then of the sequence. We were trying to figure out different lineups and I didn't put him in a great position to succeed. All of that was lost thanks to the scene late in the fourth quarter between Lee and JaMychal Green. Then on Monday against the Suns, he added nine points with seven rebounds and a block. The mindset has allowed him to play free, and the results have shown on the court.