Mills scores 31 to lead Spurs past Curry-less Warriors
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Patty Mills came off the bench to score 31 points and the San Antonio Spurs beat Golden State 127-110 on Friday night, hours after the Warriors learned they will be without injured star Stephen Curry for at least three months.
LaMarcus Aldridge added 22 points for the Spurs (4-1), who were coming off their first loss of the season a night earlier.
D'Angelo Russell led Golden State (1-4) with 30 points.
The game was an indication of the uphill battle facing Golden State without Curry, who underwent surgery after breaking his left hand Wednesday against Phoenix.
Russell couldn't carry the Warriors alone, even with three teammates in double figures. Rookie Jordan Poole scored 20.
Warriors fans began filing out of the new Chase Center midway through the fourth quarter. Golden State is winless in three home games this season.
Russell scored 19 points in the first half and the Warriors were within two points at the break, 57-55.
The Spurs took control in the third period, scoring 40 points and taking a 97-86 lead. That included 12 points from Aldridge in the quarter and a 13-2 Spurs run.
Mills, who starred in college for Saint Mary's in nearby Moraga, California, hit six of his nine 3-point attempts and finished three points shy of his career high of 34 points. That career-best game came against the Warriors on April 26, 2012.
TIP-INS
Spurs: Forward DeMarre Carroll, a 10-year veteran who signed a two-year deal with San Antonio in the offseason, entered in the first quarter for his season debut. He finished with two points.
Warriors: Coach Steve Kerr stressed before the game that he would look to manage Draymond Green's minutes to keep him fresh. Kerr also acknowledged the importance of the veteran's leadership in light of numerous injuries. "Right now he's kind of the lone survivor."
UP NEXT
Spurs: Host the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.
Warriors: Host the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday.
