Warriors Notes: Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Yaxel Lendeborg

Stephen Curry and Draymond Green know they won’t be doing this together forever. Curry says that makes the games in front of them more meaningful.

Speaking with Nick Friedell of The Athletic, Curry described how the approaching end of their partnership influences his outlook.

“The thoughts of the end only make the urgency now more real and more motivating, if you will, because that’s all we can control,” Curry said.

Friedell examined the shorthand the longtime teammates have developed, a product of years spent reading defenses and anticipating each other’s decisions. That familiarity remains an advantage as Golden State works through another round of roster changes and absences.

The Warriors also face considerable uncertainty surrounding Kristaps Porzingis, whom they reportedly doubt will play for the team again. Curry and Green’s connection gives them something dependable while they figure out the rest.

More from Golden State:

• Yaxel Lendeborg: The rookie is giving the Warriors reason to reconsider what their future could look like, writes Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic. Golden State’s previous attempt to develop its next core while contending with Curry didn’t unfold as envisioned. Lendeborg, though, delivered 31 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in Monday’s win at Denver. “The addition of Yaxel,” Steve Kerr said, “and the ability to kind of do what Jimmy does — slow the game down, be fouled, create shots for himself or others — it’s a game-changer for us.”
• Rotation: Monday’s 134-114 victory offered an example of how the Warriors can win while shorthanded, Friedell writes in a separate story. Curry scored 24 points on perfect 8-of-8 shooting in 27 minutes, while Georges Niang added nine points, Gary Payton II seven and Brandon Williams six. Williams also finished a plus-14. “I like our roster,” Kerr said. “I think we’re pretty deep … we’ve got some vets who can really play.”