The Golden State Warriors’ playoff run came to an unceremonious end by means of a largely uneventful 94-82 defeat to the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night in Oakland.
While their surprising surge didn’t quite end as how yellow-clad supporters would have hoped it would, if recent performances were any indication, that belief-related euphoria that hit the Bay Area will be more the norm than the exception in future seasons.
All things considered…
Stephen Curry, the Warriors’ all-everything sharpshooter and de-facto emotional leader was essentially playing on one ankle. Oh, and he’s only 25 years old. It’s safe to assume that his best years are on the horizon.
David Lee, the Warriors’ only all-star, was deemed done for the entirety of the playoffs with a bum hip, only to reappear only games later, albeit, at a limited capacity.
Second-year swingman Klay Thompson and rookie Harrison Barnes both showed immense potential and will only continue to flourish as they develop.
With all the youth and injuries, this inexperienced Warriors team still hung tough for six games against the No. 1-seeded and heavily favored San Antonio Spurs.
In short: Good things are on the horizon.
“It’s inspiring to think of what we were able to accomplish this year and the foundation that’s been laid for the future,” Warriors coach Mark Jacksontold the San Francisco Chronicle.
The Spurs crushed the Memphis Grizzlies 105-83 on Sunday in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
Sharks bite back.
Relax, playoff enthusiasts, there’s still postseason fever around these parts.
Southern California was unkind to the San Jose Sharks in their second-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings. They dropped the first two games of the series in Los Angeles, the second of which in excruciating circumstances as they squandered a late 3-2 advantage.
Already faced with the knowledge that they’d be playing the entirety of the series without the services of Raffi Torres, who was suspended for a nasty hit during Game 1, things were looking grim for San Jose.
But all, apparently, was not lost. The Sharks battled back on Saturday night at HP Pavilion, winning a crucial Game 3 in overtime with Logan Couture playing the hero role with a goal in overtime to put San Jose back in the series.
“He’s our guy, I’ve said it before,” Dan Boylesaid of Couture. “He came back and did what he could. That shot in overtime. That’s a hell of a shot. He comes back and scores a huge goal for us.”
San Jose now trails the best-of-seven series 2-1. Game 4 is Tuesday night.
Home is good. Home is great. Let’s never leave.
The San Francisco Giants endured a miserable, forgettable road trip, while the Oakland A’s found great success on familiar footing in Oakland.
Oakland welcomed the Kansas City Royals to the East Bay and swept its guests, with each game coming at a one-run margin. It was the first time since 1993 that the A’s swept a three-game series with all three wins of the one-run variety.
Yoenis Céspedis’ eighth-inning home run won it for the A’s in their 4-3 win on Sunday.
The Giants, well, the Giants will be happy to see the backsides of Toronto and Colorado.
San Francisco muddled through a 1-5 road trip, fell out of first place in the NL West, and was outscored 58-28 in the process.
AT&T Park will be a welcome sight when the Giants play host to the Nationals this week.
“It’s time for us to go home and play better ball,” Bruce Bochytold the Chronicle.
Rarely affected by away games: @seanswaby
