Here’s what Mitch Johnson, Julian Champagnie, Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes had to say after the Spurs’ big road win over the Warriors.
SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs beat the Golden State Warriors on the road Wednesday 114-111, led by Harrison Barnes’ 20 points, including a game-winning three-pointer to seal the victory.
Stephon Castle scored 21 points and handed out five assists. Chris Paul had 12 points and four assists. Julian Champagnie finished with 14, and Keldon Johnson scored 21. Devin Vassell added 11.
The Spurs are 33-47 this season and will visit the Suns on Friday night.
Here’s a sample of what the Spurs and Warriors said after the game.
Mitch Johnson:
“The start of the game was 11-0. Third quarter we knew they were going to raise the pressure and the intensity. It’s what they’re good at, it’s the kind of caliber team they are. I’m just really proud of the guys that we just didn’t really blink. We just never let it get too far away from us; we got to eight, we got to 10, got to maybe 12. But it was always in striking distance, and we just kind of fought and clawed our way back into it. That’s a very satisfying game to coach those guys.”
“Honestly, just tried to get a clean look, I feel like I’ve been shooting the ball well lately, especially tonight, and I just wanted to get a clean look up, and when it left my hands, it felt good.”
Champagnie:
“Last possession, I mean cash (Barnes’ game-winning three-pointer). No, but the play was keeping to go to the basket and they (Warriors) played pretty good defensive players to them. We know HB’s (Barnes) a tough shot maker, great three-point shooter. So I feel like he’s shown that he could make shots all year and that’s exactly what he went out there and just did.”
“It’s been a wild season for us. We’ve been on the other end of games like that. To come play against a team that’s so good with Draymond (Green), Steph (Curry) and all them guys, for our young team to, like I said, beat through all the adversity. It ain’t been a lot of bright spots all season long. Especially to have that game with Cleveland two weeks ago when HB (Harrison Barnes) to have that shot that definitely could have went in. For him to hit that tough one, it was just real satisfying for this group.”
Steve Kerr:
“So we left the door open, we know they’re a really good three-point shooting team. They made 17 last night against the Clippers, and hung in there, and gave them a tough game. So this was not a surprise to see this kind of effort from the Spurs. We just couldn’t contain them defensively and when you do that you leave the door open for shots like they hit, like the one Harrison (Barnes) hit.”