Warriors’ Five-Game Surge Raises Expectations

The Warriors rallied from a 17-point deficit to defeat the Suns 116-113 at Chase Center on November 2, their fifth consecutive win after opening the season 0-3. Stephen Curry scored 25 points in the second half, while Charles Bassey added 19 points and eight rebounds after Draymond Green was ejected in the third quarter.

The victory completed a sweep of a back-to-back set, something Golden State managed only twice last season. The team is still adjusting its offense and has been without Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody, while expected starting center Kristaps Porzingis has also been unavailable.

Coach Steve Kerr said the team had stayed focused on improving after its poor start, and that road wins over Denver and Minnesota helped turn things around. Curry said teammates understood their roles and were not panicking, while cautioning that the team had not yet achieved anything substantial.

Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg has emerged as a major contributor. In eight games, he has twice scored more than 30 points, and against Phoenix he tallied 16 points, five boards, five assists and a late block. Kerr said Lendeborg had significantly changed the team. Brandin Podziemski has also stepped up, averaging 17 points, five assists and 4.8 rebounds.

Curry, 38, is averaging 30 points in 28.8 minutes per game and leads the league in two advanced metrics cited in the report. Golden State entered the season with a 37-win projection from sportsbooks and is now 5-3. The team’s early form has raised its prospects, though it will need to stay competitive while Butler and Moody recover.