Warriors instant analysis: Steph Curry outduels Wembanyama as ‘drastic’ lineup change pays dividends

SAN ANTONIO Facing the first of two matchups with San Antonio s -foot- unicorn Victor Wembanyama and staring down a seventh consecutive road loss Steve Kerr promised a drastic lineup change for a crew already doing a few serious soul-searching after being obliterated in Oklahoma City on the first night of its back-to-back Out was the inconsistent but talented Jonathan Kuminga and the slow-footed -footer Quinten Post and in was steady forward Moses Moody and surprising second-round rookie Will Richard when the Warriors took the Frost Bank Center The change paid off as the Warriors won - Steph Curry bounced back from his for performance against OKC with a -point outburst of those coming in the third quarter Meanwhile Wembanyama put up a casual -point -rebound assist triple-double Jimmy Butler scored as another Warrior who bounced back from a poor showing in Oklahoma City The Warriors led by as a great number of as six in the fourth quarter but could not land the haymaker as the springy Spurs threw counterpunch after counterpunch until late The Warriors made the stops down the stretch to salt away the much-needed win and snap a six-game losing streak on the road The Warriors - will remain in San Antonio - for a meager more days thanks to a baseball-style schedule that will see the teams faceoff again on Friday night Butler s aggression Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket against Jimmy Butler III of the Golden State Warriors in the first half at Frost Bank Center on Nov in San Antonio Texas NOTE TO USER User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and or using this photograph User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement Photo by Ronald Cortes Getty Images Jimmy Butler demanded that the entire unit make sacrifices and changes to their match after the debacle in Oklahoma City But in his episode the needed change involved him taking a more shot-happy approach rather than scaling back After taking just three shots in a little over minutes on Tuesday he surpassed that total midway through the second quarter He took shots and a dozen free throws He banged in five -pointers the long-distance shooting a must against a Spurs defense that had the gargantuan Wembanyama parked in the paint at all times Horford s nine points and three -pointers off the bench also helped space a cramped court Related Articles Kurtenbach Jonathan Kuminga has reverted raising big questions for the Warriors Warriors veteran leaders demand more selflessness fewer personal agendas Warriors instant analysis Steph Curry s return not enough to prevent OKC rout Ex-Warriors guard Michael Ray Richardson once banned from NBA for violating drug program dies at Champions old faces otherworldly talent Current down Warriors brutal upcoming road trip Kuminga hobbled off the bench Kuminga had a short and painful night off the bench He entered the encounter questionable with a gimpy knee but gutted through minutes in the first half He grabbed four rebounds but attempted just one shot unable to get into the paint off the dribble He left the challenge with seconds remaining in the first half and was ruled out for the second half with knee soreness Gary Payton II took his place in the second half Though Payton s lost step on defense was apparent Spurs guards torched him in isolation more than once his activity helped fuel the - third quarter run In just minutes Payton II was and had two huge offensive rebounds that led to the Curry -pointer to put the Warriors up nine with four minutes remaining Moody s big event Golden State Warriors Moses Moody shoots a basket against the Indiana Pacers in the fourth quarter of their NBA tournament at Chase Center in San Francisco Calif on Sunday Nov The Golden State Warriors defeated the Indiana Pacers - Jose Carlos Fajardo Bay Area News Group Moody was the unit s every-game starter at the wing in the second half of last season but a preseason calf injury stunted his momentum going into this season But thanks to an improved jump shot and continued excellence as the Warriors top perimeter stopper keeping Moody on the bench was an exercise destined to end sooner rather than later In his third start of the season Moody made of -pointers and scored points being one of the sparse Warriors that did not seem at a severe disadvantage athletically