 It appeared Stephen Curry’s sprained right ankle was just fine for most of Monday night. Ditto for Monta Ellis’ mental state.
The Warriors’ star guards led Golden State to its first win of the season, 99-91 over the visiting Chicago Bulls. Curry and Ellis combined for 47 points on 17-for-29 shooting and 17 assists. And they did it against a Bulls backcourt boasting reigning league MVP Derrick Rose and veteran Richard Hamilton.
Ellis and Curry struggled in the season opener Sunday. Curry, dealing with ankle issues, missed 10 of his 12 shots and finished with four points and five turnovers in the loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Ellis, dealing with a sexual harassment lawsuit and the death of his grandmother, needed 19 shots to get 15 points. He totaled four turnovers and scored just one fourth-quarter point.
But Monday’s performance was much more like the titillating backcourt that Warriors fans have grown to love.
A big difference was their aggression early. Both penetrated instead of settling for jumpers, which resulted in good looks and trips to the free throw line. They both also set up other teammates, which scattered the Bulls defense.
They made 10 of 11 from the foul line in the first half. Curry scored 15 points in the second quarter, seven from the line, as the Warriors built a lead as large as 19 points.
It seems, though, that Curry’s ankle issues will continue. He tweaked his right ankle midway through the fourth quarter. He tried to walk it off but was taken out with 5:52 to play and never returned. Curry finished with 21 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds and six steals.
But the Warriors still had Ellis, who scored seven of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, stunting the Bulls’ comeback bid. About a minute later, he got free for a breakaway dunk. Then, after the Bulls cut the deficit to single digits on a Luol Deng 3-pointer, Ellis dropped in a finger roll from the baseline. Golden State led 93-83 with 4:03 left.
