The Golden State Warriors played hosts to the Portland Trailblazers tonight. Coming in with a three-game win streak, the Warriors hoped to finish the year off strong. They did just that, as they overcame an 11-point lead to secure a 118-112 win. Draymond Green registered a double-double as the Warriors improved to a four-game win streak.
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Jordan Poole was on fire. He scored 41 points, grabbed five rebounds, and dished six assists, leading the Warriors with his scoring. Klay Thompson scored 31 points on 7 of 15 shooting from the deep.
Splash bro & splash nephew came out strong with a combined 72 points 🔥@googlecloud || Player of the Game pic.twitter.com/kyLPW0SJnd
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) December 31, 2022
The Blazers overcame an eighteen-point deficit in the 2nd quarter, but they could not hold on to their lead long enough. They were outscored 30-16 in the 4th Quarter and lost the game.
Draymond Green talks about handing Gary Payton II his Championship Ring
Gary Payton II may not be in the Warriors’ colors anymore, but he’s forever a part of the Warriors’ History. He played an essential role in the Dubs winning the 2022 Championship and is a fan favorite in the Bay.
As he returned to Chase Center for the first time, the Warriors honored him with a small tribute video.
Welcome back to Warriors Ground, Gary! pic.twitter.com/YPlGOVMu3j
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) December 31, 2022
Draymond Green then presented him with his championship ring.
GP2 receives his championship ring 💍 pic.twitter.com/IZugldrcJ9
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) December 31, 2022
Talking about the same in the post-game interview, Draymond shared how important GP2 was and the difficult journey he had.
Draymond on giving GP2 his ring 💍
“That was just such a special moment. Gary is a guy who has been through the ringer in the league, but he just battled, battled, battled.”
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) December 31, 2022
GP2 bounced around the G League before he found a place with the Warriors in 2021. He was signed on two ten-day contracts before the team signed him for the 2020-21 season. However, right before the 2021-22 season, GP2 was waived. As soon as he cleared waivers, the team signed him again. The rest is history. He is currently on a 3-year, $28 Million deal with the Portland Trailblazers.
Draymond shared how he didn’t want to mess up Otto Porter Jr and Damion Lee’s ceremony
Before handing out the ring, Draymond was given about a minute to do the same. There were only 15 seconds left out of the minute before Green remembered he had to talk on the mic. Sharing the same, DG said,
Draymond didn’t want to mess up GP2’s moment 🤣 pic.twitter.com/vGlojOuiMb
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) December 31, 2022
The Phoenix Suns make their way to Chase Center on January 10th, and Damion Lee will be handed his ring then. As for Otto Porter Jr, he would have to wait till February 13th for the Wizards to make their way to the Bay.