On a very memorable evening for the Big Three, the Warriors defeated the Clippers to record one of their best victories of the year.

The Golden State Warriors only needed to be without three of their best seven, or perhaps even six, players to pull off one of their best victories of the year. At Chase Center on Thursday night, the Dubs defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 120-114, controlling the game from start to finish and putting an end to several short runs in the second half.

In addition to his game-high 26 points, Stephen Curry pulled down seven rebounds and handed out eight assists while offensively battling through many traps and double teams. Despite his early difficulties, Klay Thompson had a monster fourth quarter, hitting 10 points in a row over the course of 90 seconds to reach 22 points, his fourth 20-point performance in the previous five games.

Even though the Splash Brothers took the lead, Golden State’s victory was truly a team effort. Along with Moses Moody, who started in place of Wiggins and scored 13 points while making several clutch plays on both sides of the court, Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, and Dario Saric combined for 43 points off the bench. With 13 points, five rebounds, and five assists, Draymond Green dominated the stat sheet and left his mark on what may have been the Warriors’ finest victory of 2023–2024.

However, there’s more to Golden State’s refocused attention and subdued energy against the Clippers than just individual statistics. The Warriors’ terrible lose-from-ahead loss to the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday was starkly contrasted with their final total of 18 personal fouls and just seven turnovers. They fouled less and attempted more free throws than LA.

Warriors secure a significant victory on Big Three special night.

The emotional significance of playing on November 30, 23—a day the organization made sure was exceptionally meaningful for its dynastic stars—was scarcely downplayed by Thompson, Curry, and Green after the game. On Thursday, however, the Dubs’ impressive comeback from one of their most disheartening losses in their illustrious history in the Bay was at least as significant.

Regarding the victory, Curry remarked, “It was huge because it’s the next game.” That is the foundation of the NBA. Though it was undoubtedly a sad loss [against the Kings], the worst thing you can do is ignore the lesson you should have learned and continue to think about it.

The Big Three remained on the court until late at Chase Center, participating jointly in a TV interview that is often saved for a single player following a victory. Even if they’re still chasing more titles, they obviously didn’t mind soaking in the atmosphere of a night that recognized their playing accomplishments.

Thompson even broke down in tears as he recalled his ACL and Achilles tears in consecutive years, expressing gratitude to Curry and Green for supporting him throughout some of the most difficult moments of his life.

“Thank you for these two. That may have been an understatement at times, but those were some difficult days,” he remarked. “I’m really appreciative of Steph and Draymond for keeping things together throughout my 2.5-year absence, and I don’t take being back with these guys for granted. Even now, seeing 11 jerseys in the audience and performing in front of them still gives me chills. I feel very fortunate to be here, feeling well and in good health.

After many minutes, Dubs TV announcers Bob Fitzgerald and Kelenna Azubuike were prepared to wrap up their in-camera chat with Curry, Thompson, and Green. However, Green took over the broadcast as he and his old comrades were saying goodbye, wanting to emphasize once more how important 11-30-23 was to them, particularly in light of the franchise’s deliberate efforts to make it happen.

He remarked, “To our organization: Like, this is special, man.” “I never considered the date of 11-30-23. I am aware that in order for us to have this game on this day to recognize us, our organization fought the league. I just want to sаy thank you to Joe Lacob, Peter, Raymond Ridder, and Kirk Lacob—the me𝚗 who were in the trenches to make this game happen for us—because this is very unique. I don’t know how to put it.

Green went on, “I’m really grateful for this unique emotion. “We are grateful to all of the members of our team who helped make this happen.”

What, surely, added to the specialness of the Big Three’s early coronation? It happened on a night when, more than 10 years after Curry, Thompson, and Green first shared the court, the previously struggling Warriors—remember, without three important high-end rotation players—showed they still had what it takes to be contenders.