SAN ANTONIO, TX—Going into Game 4 of the NBA Playoff’s on Sunday, April 22 , the Golden State Warriors had the opportunity to sweep the San Antonio Spurs, as they led the series 3-0. Such luck would not befall the Warriors, who lost to the spurs 103-90 after a veteran point guard put on a show: Manu Ginobili.
Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson were the only Warriors to score in double figures for their team. Golden State point guard Stephen Curry remained sidelined, as he continues to rehabilitate a sprained left knee.
Ginobili who might have just played his last home game with the Spurs, scored 16 points off the bench, which included 10 of San Antonio’s last 15 points of the game. Following the team’s win, Manu spoke to the press and made a few things clear:
“We are not a team that needs anybody to carry us,” he remarked. He added, “We need team play. We need to help each other.” Ginobili previously told the press and fans alike that he would make decision about whether to retire during the off season.
Despite Ginobili’s fourth quarter performance, LaMarcus Aldridge was the team leader throughout the entire game scoring 22 points with 10 rebounds to fill his spreadsheet. The Spurs pulled off the win without the presence of Head Coach Greg Popovich. Popovich has been absent since the team’s April 19 game, following the death of his wife, Erin Popovich. The coach has not made any public comments nor has he set a timeline for his return to the bench.
The Spurs and Warriors will battle yet again in Game 5 at the Oracle Arena on Tuesday, April 24. Tip-off is at 10:30 p.m. EST/7:30 p.m. PST.
