Historic first quarter Warriors sends past Blazers, into playoffs

Stephen Curry poured in 26 factors in 22 minutes and the Golden State Warriors produced a record-setting first quarter as they clinched a Western Conference playoff spot with a 157-101 shellacking of the host Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday afternoon.

All 13 gamers who suited up scored for the Warriors (44-38), who wound up in sixth place within the West. The Los Angeles Clippers (44-38) received at Phoenix to complete tied with Golden State, however Los Angeles held the tiebreaker to earn the fifth seed.

The Warriors draw the third-seeded Kings (48-34) within the first spherical of the playoffs.

Meanwhile, Portland (33-49) wrapped up the fifth-worst document within the NBA and a seat within the entrance row of subsequent month’s draft lottery.

Needing a win to guarantee itself a playoff spot, the Warriors wasted no time leaving the Trail Blazers within the mud. They set an NBA document for first-quarter factors with 55, making 20 of 29 pictures general and 12 of 18 from 3-point vary en path to a 28-point lead.

Golden State’s Klay Thompson contributed 5 3-pointers and 17 factors within the opening quarter. His fifth 3-pointer was his league-leading three hundredth of the season. Jordan Poole added 12 within the opening interval and Curry had eight to enrich six of Golden State’s 18 assists within the body.

In wrapping up the common season on an 8-2 roll, the Warriors shot 60.4 % general and 55.1 % (27 of 49) from deep. The 27 treys tied a franchise document.

Thompson wound up 6-for-11 from past the arc, placing a bow on the league’s 3-point crown over Indiana’s Buddy Hield and Curry, who went 5-for-10 from deep within the sport.

Moses Moody got here off the bench to attain 25 factors for Golden State, whereas Poole had 21, Thompson 20, Jonathan Kuminga 15 and Donte DiVincenzo 10 to go along with eight assists and 5 steals.

In his return to Portland, Gary Payton II chipped in with eight rebounds together with 4 factors, 4 assists and 4 steals.

All 5 Trail Blazers starters scored in double figures, led by Skylar Mays with 21. Mays additionally handed out a game-high 12 assists.

Shaedon Sharpe added 18 factors to go along with a team-high seven rebounds, whereas Jeenathan Williams had 17 factors for Portland, which was enjoying its second afternoon affair in two days. Kevin Knox II totaled 13 factors and Trendon Watford completed with 11.

–Field Level Media/Reuters