Warriors snap 8-game skid. beating Suns 115-99

PHOENIX -- The Golden State Warriors came into Saturday night's game with eight healthy players, zero true point guards and an eight-game losing streak that had lasted for nearly the entire month of February.

Yet somehow, the team with the worst record in the NBA left Phoenix with a 115-99 victory.

"The joy in that locker room right now, the relief, everybody's smiling and happy and excited," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. "Our team's played hard all year and competed, but at times has been out-manned. So every win becomes sweeter."

Eric Paschall led the Warriors with 25 points on 10 of 16 shooting from the field. Damion Lee added 20.

Golden State trailed for most of the game but went on a 16-0 late in the third quarter and had a 92-81 lead going into the fourth quarter. Seven Warriors had at least 10 points, including Andrew Wiggins, who added 17 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

"I just loved the way we competed," Kerr said. "We had eight guys and all eight really contributed, brought energy, brought enthusiasm. I thought we had a lot of really good individual performances, but more than anything, everybody competed for each other, defended like crazy.

"Really fun night. Huge relief."

Mychal Mulder, who was playing in just his second NBA game, had 14 points and grabbed six rebounds. Former Suns player Dragan Bender had a season-high 13 points and eight rebounds.

"We knew it was next man up and we had to raise the energy to get a win out here," Mulder said.

It was the second head-scratching loss for the Suns in two days. Phoenix is still in the hunt for the eighth playoff spot in the Western Conference, but has dropped consecutive games to lowly Detroit and Golden State.

Suns coach Monty Williams blamed himself, saying he didn't have the team ready to play.

"Two nights in a row, we have been outplayed from an effort standpoint," Williams said. "We certainly didn't share the ball. Defensively, we don't guard anybody. We haven't guarded anybody the last two nights."

Devin Booker led the Suns with 21 points. Deandre Ayton had 20 points and nine rebounds.

Booker made a 33-foot 3-pointer just before the buzzer to give the Suns a 65-61 halftime lead. But they shot just 29.7% in the second half and have now lost three straight.

"I think just go home, look yourself in the mirror and see if you really want this, if you really want to win and if you really want to contribute," Suns forward Mikal Bridges said.

HURTING WARRIORS

The banged-up Warriors have fought injuries all season and were even more short-handed than usual against the Suns.

Kerr said before the game that Draymond Green wouldn't play because of left knee soreness, which meant the Warriors had just eight available players.

The Warriors also found out they'll be without two-time MVP guard Stephen Curry for at least a little while longer. He had hoped to play on Sunday, but instead will practice with the G-League Santa Cruz Warriors on Monday. The team said Curry is still expected to play in March.

Curry has played just four games this season after breaking his left hand in a game on Oct. 30.

TIP-INS

Warriors: Golden State had two starters in its lineup -- forward Marquese Chriss and Bender -- who were drafted by the Suns in 2016. Both were disappointments in the desert. Bender was drafted fourth overall but lasted just three seasons with the organization. Chriss was drafted at No. 8 and stayed with the Suns two years. Both played well against the Suns on Saturday. Chriss had 11 points and nine rebounds.

Suns: Phoenix scored 41 points in the first quarter but then had just 40 points in the second and third quarters combined. ... Bridges scored 15 points on five 3-pointers.

UP NEXT

Warriors: Host Washington on Sunday night.

Suns: Host Toronto on Tuesday night.

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