Harrison Barnes Seals Late Victory for Spurs with Buzzer-Beater Against Warriors
SAN FRANCISCO — In a dramatic turn of events, Harrison Barnes sank a three-pointer at the final buzzer, redeeming himself after a critical foul that nearly jeopardized the game for his team. The San Antonio Spurs emerged victorious over the Golden State Warriors with a 114-111 win on Wednesday night.
The game took a thrilling turn as Draymond Green, fouled by Barnes, scored two crucial free throws with just 3.1 seconds on the clock, tying the game at 111-all. However, Barnes swiftly countered with his decisive shot, leaving Jimmy Butler helpless in defense and prompting a jubilant celebration from his teammates as the final horn sounded.
Keldon Johnson made pivotal plays in the last moments, scoring a go-ahead layup with just 11 seconds remaining after previously tying the game at 32 seconds. Johnson concluded the night with an impressive 21 points. Meanwhile, Butler scored 13 of his 28 points in the intense fourth quarter, maintaining his spark by hitting 16 of 17 free throws. Stephen Curry also delivered a standout performance, scoring 30 points, making five three-pointers, and collecting eight rebounds, though this defeat might have consequences for the Warriors’ playoff seeding, potentially forcing them into a play-in situation.
Stephon Castle added 21 points for the Spurs, while Draymond Green contributed significantly for the Warriors with 13 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. Despite these efforts, the Warriors faced a tough loss at home for the second consecutive time. Buddy Hield added 12 points from the bench, with the Warriors appearing more energized for much of the match, especially considering both teams were coming off back-to-back games. Golden State had recently crushed Phoenix 133-95, while San Antonio came off a 122-117 road loss to the Clippers. Harrison Barnes ended up with 20 points against his former team, helping the Spurs break their three-game losing streak with only their second victory in ten outings.