The Golden State Warriors ended a six-game losing streak Monday night, and they’re hoping it’s a sign of things to come.
Chris Paul had arguably his best game in a Warriors uniform, finishing with 15 points, 12 assists and six rebounds in a 121-116 victory over the Houston Rockets. ESPN Kendra Andrews reported that Golden State hopes Paul continues to improve his game and is counting on his presence to “stabilize the group.”
The Warriors’ offense has struggled for most of the season with Paul off the court, while it tends to soar when he shares the court with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. The veteran point guard returned to the starting lineup for the third straight game against Houston with Draymond Green out due to suspension.
Paul will likely return to a reserve role once Green returns to the lineup, but it’s fair to wonder how long the Warriors can continue to experiment with him leading the second unit. Despite some shooting problems at the start of the season, the Warriors surpass opponents by 6.4 points per 100 possessions with Paul on the court and are outscored by 9.0 points per 100 possessions with him on the bench.
Playing in his first season with the Warriors – and his first ever as a reserve – Paul is averaging 9.8 points, 7.7 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game. He’s shooting a career-best 39.8 percent from the floor, but has provided a much-needed steady hand as a playmaker.
At the very least, the Warriors are happy to move on from the Jordan Poole business given the young guard’s struggles to play a primary role in Washington.
