Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 314
October 27, 2024
What the 49ers said after beating the Cowboys again
The 49ers dominated the third quarter Sunday night against the Cowboys and won 30-24.
They outscored the Cowboys 21-0 in the third, then Dallas showed signs of life in the fourth quarter before the 49ers finally closed the door with a turnover on downs in the game’s final minutes.
They’re now tied with the Seahawks and Cardinals atop the NFC West at 4-4 as they enter their bye week.
Here’s what they said after the win:
Kyle Shanahan
On his halftime message:
Stop having penalties. There was no message, it was just we gotta stop hurting ourselves. We had seven and a half yards per play in the first half and had a bunch of penalties that really hurt us.
On the win:
You’re not exactly where you want to be, but going into this game, we knew this was a big one. We didn’t want to be 3-5 going into the bye week having your backs against the wall like that.
On Kittle:
Kittle’s the man, especially on his holiday, he usually does better. But there’s a couple things in the first half and just like Brock he missed a couple he would love to have back. He came back in the second half and just played as good as you can.
On the rookies:
When we went into this year, we thought it’d be real hard for a lot of the rookies to earn starting positions, just where our team was at, but we believed that they were going to give some really good depth, and you hope to have some good stuff and not have to get to that. But we haven’t in all areas and fortunately a lot of those guys are players. They showed it in preseason and when their number’s been called, they’ve all come in and done their job and they continue to get better.
On Guerendo’s slide:
Yeah, we told him on this one. But he listened at least. It’s hard to turn that down when you’re running in and I’m glad he did it for the second time.
On Samuel’s return from pneumonia:
When you hear that stuff at the beginning of the week, pneumonia and things like that, in my mind it’s kind of ruled out. But you know, when they started working him out on Tuesday and said he had a chance and that he got through practice to a degree on Thursday and by the time Saturday came, he said he was feeling great. We still rotated him a lot and stuff, but we want to get the ball in his hands.
Fred Warner
On the end of the game:
We made it a game when it didn’t need to be, especially defensively, freebies, or they didn’t have to earn it, you know — (CeeDee Lamb) wide open, their best player. Can’t let that happen. We put ourselves in that situation so we had to get ourselves out.
On the bye:
The bye will definitely help me tremendously. You know, every week banging it up and finding a way to recover good enough to play the next week, and that’s just how the NFL is.
On the rookies:
That’s a heck of a rookie class right there … I don’t think you can talk about it enough. It’s so hard to play as a rookie in the NFL and all those guys playing at such a high level right now. It’s been amazing to see, and they’ve all come in with the right mindset, following everybody’s lead. We’re going to need them in a big way in the second half of the season.
Nick Bosa
On the game:
We started hot and I think we played well as a defense. It’s kind of been the story this year, though, letting them back in the game. So that’s a big focus that we need to have because playing against good teams here, you got to put them away.
On Warner’s halftime message:
I don’t want to give it away but he had a great message for us in the locker room and we felt like the superior team and we just needed to kind of execute a little better.
On displaying his ‘Make America Great Again’ hat while teammates interviewed with NBC:
I’m not going to talk too much about it, but I think it’s an important time.
Brock Purdy
On Kittle’s big game:
Just doing his job, creating some separation. Man, you get the ball in their hands five, six yards and they make one guy miss, it could be a big gain and that’s what he did.
On his mindset out of halftime:
Keep it simple but also play aggressive and just try to do what coach called and hit guys when they were open and keep it simple, move the ball, not try to hurt ourselves. First half, man, that was the main thing. We had plenty of opportunities but we just kept hurting ourselves.
On the bye:
It’s a great week for all of us to just rest up and heal up and just be hard on ourselves on the film and where we can get better because the second half of the season is everything.
On his scrambling:
There’s teams that have a spy on me and stuff. I feel like Kansas City did that, honestly, and the Cowboys did it as well, so there’s ways that they can scheme that up but then I think it takes away another pass rusher, so I have a little bit more time.
George Kittle
On Guerendo:
I think he got more comfortable the more reps he got, each and every rep and he’s just gonna keep getting better with all the reps that he gets.
On turning around the season:
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On National Tight Ends Day:
We had four active tight ends for the first time this year, so I was really excited about that, getting Brayden Willis up, you know it’s a holiday, so you’re trying to celebrate all tight ends.
On his 500th catch with the 49ers, joining Jerry Rice, Terrell Owens, Roger Craig and Dwight Clark:
An honor. You know, thankful that I got to be a part of an organization with a very high standard of how they play football. Thankful that they’ve kept me around for a long time and just every single day striving to be better than I was the day before and continually prove that I need to be on the San Francisco 49ers roster. To be on a list with any of those names. Any list that you’re on with Jerry Rice is a good thing.
Nick Bosa crashes 49ers teammates’ interview to share his political message
Nick Bosa is a man of few words in press conferences, but he went out of his way to make a statement when he crashed a live interview after the 49ers’ win Sunday night over the Cowboys.
Bosa walked up behind Brock Purdy, who was being asked a question by ‘Sunday Night Football’ reporter Melissa Stark, adjusted his white “Make America Great Again” cap, pointed to its message, then jogged out of the frame.
Tight end George Kittle and running back Isaac Guerendo were also standing by to field questions from Stark.
Bosa has not been particularly shy about his support for former president Donald Trump, who is up for election Nov. 6. to return to the White House. He stands out in the Bay Area, which is home to Democratic presidential candidate and current Vice President Kamala Harris.
The 27-year-old former NFL defensive player of the year posed for a photo with Trump in the offseason at a UFC fight in Miami, near his hometown of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. During his time in college at Ohio State, Bosa tweeted in support of Trump, but he said before the draft that he stopped posting about the then-president and deleted some posts because he might be drafted to San Francisco.
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On the field Sunday night, Bosa sacked Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott once and had three total tackles.
National polling shows Harris and Trump in an extremely tight race, but Harris leads Trump by 26 points in California, according to a poll conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California earlier this month.
Photos: San Francisco 49ers narrowly defeat rival Dallas Cowboys
It was a close one for the San Francisco 49ers as they narrowly defeated the Dallas Cowboys under the Sunday night football spotlight at Levi’s Stadium.
The 49ers flipped a 10-6 halftime deficit into a 27-10 lead by the fourth quarter, paving the way for a 30-24 victory over the Dallas Cowboys that leveled the Niners’ record to 4-4.
George Kittle also became only the fifth player in 49ers history to reach 500 career receptions, doing so on a 27-yard grab that set up quarterback Brock Purdy’s touchdown run.
Rookie Isaac Guerendo delivered a career-best outing and could have scored a second touchdown, but wisely slid short of the goal line on a 14-yard run, setting up a victory kneel-down to cap the victory.
Next up for the 49ers is a Week 9 bye, for the third straight season. That rest and reboot led to a 9-0 finish in the 2022 regular season and a 7-2 push last year. The 49ers, the Seattle Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals are tied atop the NFC West with matching records; the Los Angeles Rams are 3-4.
San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle (85) celebrates with 49ers mascot Sourdough Sam after they beat the Dallas Cowboys 30-24 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Brock Purdy (13) scrambles for a first down against Dallas Cowboys’ Amani Oruwariye (27) in the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
The San Francisco 49ers play against the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco 49ers’ Nick Bosa (97) sacks Dallas Cowboys starting quarterback Dak Prescott (4) in the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco 49ers’ Ricky Pearsall (14) greets young fans on the field following their 30-24 win over the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco 49ers’ Isaac Guerendo (31) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys’ Jourdan Lewis (2) in the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Brock Purdy (13) throws against the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Dallas Cowboys’ Dallas Cowboys’ KaVontae Turpin (9) can’t hold onto a deep pass against San Francisco 49ers’ Deommodore Lenoir (2) late in the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco 49ers’ Isaac Guerendo (31) runs against Dallas Cowboys’ Eric Kendricks (50) in the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco 49ers’ Jordan Mason (24) lies on the field after being injured against the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco 49ers’ Deebo Samuel Sr. (1) can’t make a catch against Dallas Cowboys’ Jalen Tolbert (1) in the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco 49ers’ Anders Carlson (41) kicks a field goal against the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco 49ers’ Fred Warner (54) celebrates a play against the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Dallas Cowboys starting quarterback Dak Prescott (4) throws against the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco 49ers’ Trent Williams (71), San Francisco 49ers’ Aaron Banks (65) and San Francisco 49ers’ Dominick Puni (77) react to a penalty which negated a touchdown catch by San Francisco 49ers’ Deebo Samuel Sr. (1) against the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco 49ers’ Jordan Mason (24) runs against Dallas Cowboys’ Marist Liufau (35) in the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Dallas Cowboys’ Ezekiel Elliott (15) scores a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers in the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco 49ers’ Ji’Ayir Brown (27) tackles Dallas Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb (88) after a catch in the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle (85) runs after a catch against the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle (85) is congratulated on his touchdown by San Francisco 49ers’ Dominick Puni (77) against the Dallas Cowboys in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco 49ers’ Deebo Samuel Sr. (1) is tripped up by Dallas Cowboys’ Eric Kendricks (50) in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Brock Purdy (13) celebrates his touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
49ers Studs and Duds: George Kittle is the star on National Tight Ends Day
SANTA CLARA — The 49ers seem incapable of playing a normal game.
Sunday was no exception.
The 49ers messed around for two quarters, blew the doors off the Cowboys in the third quarter, and then did that thing they do so well: let their opponent back into the game.
In the end, the 49ers survived, beating Dallas 30-24, evening the team’s record to 4-4 heading into its bye week. Here are the studs and duds from the contest.
STUDS
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» When you create your own holiday, you have to perform well when it hits on the calendar.
Kittle didn’t mess around on National Tight Ends Day, catching 6 passes for 128 yards and a touchdown.
The Cowboys did what so many other teams have done in recent weeks against the Niners — played man-to-man coverage. Kittle was able to beat it with ease.
Isaac Guerendo • RB
» The rookie running back was just what the doctor ordered on Sunday. Once he took over as the No. 1 back following Jordan Mason’s shoulder injury, the Niners started moving the ball with aplomb. Guerendo ran 14 times for 85 yards and added three catches for 17 yards. Remember when running backs caught passes in the Niners’ offense?
Is it any coincidence that Brock Purdy started playing better with a check-down option on offense? I think not.
The only blemish? A terrible blitz pickup on the penultimate drive, leaving Purdy to be speared on a critical second down.
Ricky Pearsall • WR
» This is why the 49ers drafted him in the first round. He repeatedly won in man-to-man coverage and had a big 39-yard end-around run — the same play that Deebo Samuel failed to turn into anything on multiple times on Sunday.
Deommodore Lenoir • DB
» His impressive third-quarter interception was the game’s turning point for San Francisco. One can make the case that Lenoir is the best defender on the Niners right now. And yes, I know Nick Bosa and Fred Warner are still playing.
Ji’Ayir Brown • S
» Dallas tried to spread out the Niners’ defense and put Brown in one-on-one situations. The second-year safety thrived, stuffing the run repeatedly, getting pressure on Dak Prescott on blitzes, and intercepting the Dallas quarterback on a rare play where he was the single-high safety.
Renardo Green • CB
» The rookie has taken over as the Niners’ second outside cornerback and is thriving. He found himself one-on-one with Ceedee Lamb a handful of times on Sunday, and Dak Prescott didn’t even try to go Green’s way. The same cannot be said for Charvarious Ward.
Sam Okuayinonu • DE
» Where would the Niners be if they had not found a way to bring him back after cutting him in late August? Not at 4-4, that’s for sure.
DUDS
49ers Interior Defensive Linemen
» The Cowboys were able to wash out Maliek Collins, Jordan Elliott, Evan Anderson, and Kalia Davis from the opening snap of the contest.
Leonard Floyd • DE
» The veteran drew a plum assignment on Sunday — rookie left tackle Tyler Guyton, who is struggling in a big way. Did you notice Floyd?
Eric Saubert • TE
» His clear-as-day holding penalty took a 66-yard touchdown off the board.
Instant analysis of 49ers’ comeback over Cowboys on ‘Sunday Night Football’
SANTA CLARA — The 49ers burst from their locker room Sunday night with a sensational display of urgency and productivity. Out of the halftime break, that is.
The 49ers flipped a 10-6 halftime deficit into a 27-10 lead by the fourth quarter, paving the way for a 30-24 victory over the Dallas Cowboys that leveled the Niners’ record to 4-4.
So, about that halftime speech? Who gave it?
“Honestly people never do. That’s more for movies,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “We only have a few minutes. And guys break into their (position groups). It’s usually hectic and a ‘something’ show. Sometimes I break it down. Sometimes I have to go to the bathroom. … It’s more scheme (discussion).”
That third-quarter scoreboard swing featured touchdowns by Isaac Guerendo (4-yard run), George Kittle (2-yard reception) and Brock Purdy (2-yard run), as well as an athletic, third-down interception by Deommdore Lenoir.
Next up for the 49ers is a Week 9 bye, for the third straight season. That rest and reboot led to a 9-0 finish in the 2022 regular season and a 7-2 push last year. The 49ers, the Seattle Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals are tied atop the NFC West with matching records; the Los Angeles Rams are 3-4.
The Cowboys fell to 3-4 in losing to the 49ers for a fourth straight season.
San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Brock Purdy (13) throws against the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)For Purdy, this was the bounce-back game he (and the 49ers) needed after his three-interception outing in the previous Sunday’s 28-18 home loss to Kansas City. In the third quarter alone, Purdy completed 7 of 7 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown, plus 37 yards and his 2-yard scoring surge up the middle for a 27-10 lead.
“I was being real with myself and knew I had to do better,” Purdy said. “For my mindset, it was I have to get back to basics, keep it simple, play with conviction, be aggressive and trust in my guys.”
“This was a gut check for him, for all of us,” Shanahan said. “He came out in the second half, and there were a few plays not there where he did a great job extending with his feet.”
For Kittle, it was only fitting that a founding father thrived amid the NFL’s National Tight Ends Day festival. With 128 yards on six catches, he repeatedly found room in the middle of the Cowboys’ defense. He also became only the fifth player in 49ers history to reach 500 career receptions, doing so on a 27-yard grab that set up Purdy’s touchdown run.
“Kittle, he’s the man, especially on his ‘holiday,’ ” Shanahan said.
For Guerendo, he delivered a career-best outing once Jordan Mason exited in the second quarter with an aggravated shoulder injury. Guerendo (14 carries, 85 yards) could have scored a second touchdown but wisely slid short of the goal line on a 14-yard run, setting up a victory kneel-down to cap the victory.
In taking a 17-point lead into the fourth quarter, the 49ers still had to overcome past demons, having blown double-digit, fourth-quarter leads in losses this season to the Los Angeles Rams and the Arizona Cardinals, not to mention a fourth-quarter scare in their previous win Oct. 10 in Seattle.
Sure enough, Dak Prescott completed two touchdown passes to an unforgivably open CeeDee Lamb and made it a one-score game in the closing minutes. In between Dallas’ double scores, the 49ers got insurance points via Anders Carlson’s third field goal (in as many tries) for insurance points.
Dallas Cowboys starting quarterback Dak Prescott (4) throws against the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)With three minutes left, the Cowboys got the ball back to try erasing the 30-24 deficit. Fred Warner nearly intercepted Prescott’s first-down throw, and then three incompletions ensued to give the 49ers the ball back with 2:43 to go.
Prescott finished 25-of-38 for 243 yards with two scores and two interceptions (the first pick was by Ji’Ayir Brown on the second series). Purdy was 18-of-26 for 260 yards and one touchdown, plus 56 rushing yards and a touchdown on eight carries, with no turnovers.
All four of the 49ers’ wins this season have come with them scoring at least 30 points. But for the second straight game, the 49ers scored only a pair of field goals before halftime, reflecting a combination of third-down inefficiency (2-of-6), penalties (six for 49 yards), and drops (two by Deebo Samuel).
Samuel, a week removed from a bout with pneumonia, produced 71 receiving yards (four catches) and 15 rushing yards (four carries) before exiting in the fourth quarter with injured ribs. (The 49ers’ only other casualty was linebacker Dee Winters with a concussion.)
In the first half, Carlson’s 44-yard field goal pulled the 49ers within 10-6 with 1:30 until halftime. That drive opened with 19- and 15-yard runs by Guerendo, who then had a 19-yard run nullified by a Kittle holding penalty. Guerendo was in for Jordan Mason, who went to the locker room after aggravating a left shoulder injury.
San Francisco 49ers’ Anders Carlson (41) kicks a field goal against the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Dallas’ first-half lead could have been bigger had rookie defensive backs Malik Mustapha and Renardo Green not halted the Cowboys’ drive at the 10-yard line for Brandon Aubrey’s 29-yard field goal. After Mustapha broke up a pass in the end zone, he combined with Green for a third-down stop against tight end Jake Ferguson. That drive stayed alive when Dak Prescott had ample time for a 28-yard, third-and-4 conversion to the 13.
The Cowboys erased the 49ers’ 3-0, first-quarter lead with an Ezekiel Elliott 1-yard touchdown run 1 minute into the second quarter. That came a play after Charvarius Ward’s over-the-back pass-interference penalty in the end zone, following a pair of third-down conversions that overshadowed a Nick Bosa sack.
That Elliott score was the 10th rushing touchdown allowed by the 49ers. In 2011, their defense did not allow a single rushing touchdown through 14 games.
The 49ers immediately answered, only to have a 66-yard touchdown reception by Samuel nullified by a holding penalty against tight end Eric Saubert. That drive ended at the Cowboys’ 43-yard line with a fourth-and-3 drop by Samuel.
The 49ers converted their opening possession into a 3-0 cushion via Carlson’s wind-aided 50-yard field goal. Putting the 49ers in scoring position was Samuel’s 47-yard catch-and-run to the Cowboys’ 36-yard line, on a third-and-6 throw against the coverage of linebacker Eric Kendricks. A second-down holding penalty on Kyle Juszczyk stalled the drive in Dallas territory.
San Francisco 49ers’ Deebo Samuel Sr. (1) runs after a catch against Dallas Cowboys’ Eric Kendricks (50) in the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)The 49ers defense forced a punt on the game’s opening series, initially allowing a 7-yard gain to Elliott before stopping two of his later runs for no gain, with Fred Warner providing a big hit on third-and-5.
For the seventh time in eight games, the 49ers defense produced an interception as safety Brown did the honors to end the Cowboys’ second possession. Dak Prescott, from the midfield logo, got off an arcing pass just before getting hit in the ribs by Bosa, and before KaVontae Turpin or cornerback Green could make a play on the ball, Brown rushed over to snare it at the 49ers’ 8-yard line near the sideline. That turnover led to no points, however.
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SAN FRANCISCO — The Chase Center crowd was ready to explode all night, with its team riding a hot start to the season to create an anticipated home opener.
Then it held its breath. Twice.
Late in the third quarter, star Steph Curry twisted his left ankle trying to maneuver his way through a screen. He limped to the bench, where he stretched out with an exercise band.
Curry returned with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter for his usual substitution pattern. But on the Warriors’ first possession, he again twisted the ankle and had to be helped to the trainer’s room.
“He’s obviously sprained that ankle many times before, so he doesn’t think it’s too bad,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said, noting that Curry would undergo an MRI Sunday night.
As the 36-year-old stayed in the locker room for the remainder of the game with a sprained left ankle, his teammates valiantly shaved the Clippers’ double-digit lead but ultimately fell short in a 112-104 loss. Golden State (2-1) committed too many turnovers and surrendered too many second-chance points, which amounted to its first loss of the season.
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) stretches his left ankle after sustaining an injury in the third quarter of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. Curry would remain in the game but would re-injury his ankle and leave the game in the fourth quarter. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)Andrew Wiggins led the Warriors’ comeback bid by scoring 11 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter, but the Clippers’ advantage in the possession game was too much to overcome. Los Angeles took 23 more field goal attempts than the Warriors through the first three quarters. In all, they hauled in 14 offensive rebounds and forced the Warriors into 20 turnovers.
“We’ve got to understand, most games are like this — they’re going to come down to a handful of possessions,” Kerr said. “And if you give 10 possessions away, it’s going to be really hard to win/”
The Warriors won their first two games of the season by an NBA-record margin of victory of 77, getting off to as magnificent a start as possible. They pushed the pace, clamped down on defense, played a 12-man rotation and rained 3s. Everybody ate, and the vibes, which started high in training camp in Hawaii, have been high.
But that was against Portland and Utah, expected lottery teams. On Sunday, they faced a fairer fight.
The Clippers, despite losing Paul George in free agency (after a brief, game-theorized dalliance with the Warriors) and having star Kawhi Leonard sidelined indefinitely, are in Golden State’s weight class. They’re deep, rangy, big and run through James Harden.
They made sure the Warriors’ home opener wasn’t like their first two games.
Golden State Warriors’ Buddy Hield (7) battles Los Angeles Clippers’ Terance Mann (14) for the ball in the third quarter of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)Golden State trailed almost the entire game. Buddy Hield, who led the Warriors in scoring in their first two games, struggled to create separation against the Clippers’ stockpile of rangy wings.
Ivica Zubac (23 points, 17 rebounds) and Derrick Jones Jr. especially gave the Warriors issues. Jones drilled a pair of 3s and finished fast breaks, while Zubac was a handful on the glass. At halftime, the Clippers center had 13 points and 10 rebounds, consistently creating extra possessions with tip-outs.
Los Angeles held the Warriors scoreless for the first four minutes of the second quarter, and eventually sent Golden State to its locker room at halftime down 59-54. The Clippers took nine more field goal attempts than the Warriors, handily winning the possession battle because of their work on the boards and Golden State’s 12 first-half turnovers.
“I think they played harder than us,” Gary Payton II said postgame. “They came out, they’re on a back-to-back, they didn’t look like they were on the back end of a back-to-back, we did.”
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Curry (18 points, six assists in 27 minutes) flashed moments of brilliance, like when he tipped the ball to himself, went behind the back to leave Norman Powell in the dust and finished at the rim. But he committed six turnovers, setting a subpar standard for valuing the ball.
The Clippers always had counterpunches to Golden State’s pushes. They’d got on mini-runs, only for Jones to hit a corner 3 or Powell to work his way to the basket. The Warriors walled off Harden (23 points on 6-for-19 shooting) well, especially in isolation, but the Clippers’ secondary pieces were effective.
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) hobbles off the court after sustaining an injury to his left ankle in the fourth quarter of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. Curry would leave and head to the locker room. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)With 2:43 left in the third quarter, Curry limped off the court after tweaking his left ankle. He sat on the bench, using an exercise band to stretch as his team played on, trying to cut into Los Angeles’ lead.
Curry checked back in with 8:08 in the fourth quarter, with his team trailing 95-85. But seconds later, he re-twisted his ankle while trying to set a pick.
When Curry left, the Warriors trailed by 10. A Kevon Looney steal-and-score cut the lead to 101-95 with five minutes left. Looney scored through contact at the rim a minute later to inch Golden State closer. Then he forced a backcourt violation by denying Zubac an inbounds pass.
Wiggins drained a 3, making it 101-100, but that was the closest they’d get. Draymond Green, who struggled, sat for the last eight minutes of the game as Kerr went with combinations that were producing.
The Warriors believe their depth of 13 NBA-caliber players will help them withstand the natural bumps and bruises of a long season. But losing Curry would be different.
“I don’t know,” Kerr said when asked who might have to pick up slack if Curry misses time. “We’ll see. Wiggs is off to a great start, and he had a big night tonight. He’s an obvious candidate to get the ball to more. We’ve got a deep team, we’ve got a lot of guys who can play.
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) yells after sustaining an injury to his left ankle in the fourth quarter of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. Curry would leave and head to the locker room. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Derrick Jones Jr. (55) goes up for a dunk past Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) in the first quarter of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
The family of Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) cheer for him during player introductions before the start of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins (22) slips past Los Angeles Clippers’ James Harden (1) in the third quarter of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) guards Los Angeles Clippers’ Ivica Zubac (40) in the first quarter of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Terance Mann (14) battles Golden State Warriors’ Kevon Looney (5) for a rebound in the first quarter of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) knocks the ball out of the hand of Los Angeles Clippers’ Kris Dunn (8) in the third quarter of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Norman Powell (24) shoots past Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) and Golden State Warriors’ Buddy Hield (7) in the third quarter of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) holds his left ankle after sustaining an injury in the third quarter of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. Curry would remain in the game but would re-injury his ankle and leave the game in the fourth quarter. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Basketball fans stand and pay their respects for the family of Warriors legend Al Attles during their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. Attles passed away on Aug. 20, 2024 at the age of 87. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) reaches for a loose ball against the Los Angeles Clippers in the third quarter of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Brandin Podziemski (2) stands on the court before the start of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) attempts to shoot under the basket past Los Angeles Clippers’ Ivica Zubac (40) in the third quarter of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) guards Los Angeles Clippers’ James Harden (1) in the first quarter of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Draymond Green Jr. throws a ball to his father Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green (23) before the start of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Nicole Lacob wife of Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob walks onto the court before their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) joins the team huddle before the start of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Show Caption1 of 17Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) yells after sustaining an injury to his left ankle in the fourth quarter of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. Curry would leave and head to the locker room. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
ExpandSteph Curry injures ankle vs. Clippers; Warriors await MRI results
SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State Warriors’ start to the season had been a dream.
It turned into a nightmare midway through the second half of their home opener Sunday.
Fighting through a screen late in the third quarter of their 112-104 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, Steph Curry appeared to roll his left ankle. He immediately hobbled to the Warriors’ bench, where he took a seat and received treatment before returning to the game at the 8:07 mark of the fourth quarter.
However, Curry lasted only 13 seconds and one offensive possession before appearing to aggravate the injury while setting a screen. He limped off the court with an even more noticeable gait than before and made a beeline for the tunnel to the locker room.
According to the Warriors, Curry suffered a left ankle sprain. He will undergo an MRI later Sunday night.
The initial indication, according to coach Steve Kerr, was that he avoided the worst-case scenario.
“He’s doing OK,” Kerr said after the game. “I think he used the word mild or moderate. He’s obviously sprained that ankle many times before. He doesn’t think it’s too bad. But obviously it’s a concern.”
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) holds his left ankle after sustaining an injury in the third quarter of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. Curry would remain in the game but would re-injury his ankle and leave the game in the fourth quarter. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)Curry’s ankles caused him problems early in his career, but he underwent corrective surgery and has been one of the league’s most durable and reliable superstars since entering the league in 2009. He has appeared in 959 of a possible 1,209 games most notably missing the bulk of the 2020-21 season with a broken hand.
Curry, 36, had 18 points on 6-of-11 shooting (4-for-7 from 3) in 27 minutes before leaving the game with a wince on his face. Helping the Warriors outscore their first two opponents by an NBA-record 77 points, Curry averaged 18.5 points in their two season-opening wins over the Blazers and Jazz.
Facing a step up in competition in their home opener, Curry was forced to watch the bulk of the fourth quarter against the Clippers from the locker room. He initially attempted to nurse his ankle on the bench with exercise bands but did not return after heading into the tunnel with 7:55 to go.
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What now, if their leading scorer, spiritual leader and franchise icon is forced to miss time?
“I don’t know,” Kerr said, but the first option to come to mind was Andrew Wiggins, who scored 11 of his team-high 29 points during Curry’s absence in the fourth quarter and is averaging 19.7 in their first three games. “Wiggs is off to a great start. Had a big night tonight. He’s an obvious candidate to get the ball to more. We’ve got a deep team. We’ve talked about it. We’ve got a lot of guys who can play. We’ll be ready.”
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) reaches for a loose ball against the Los Angeles Clippers in the third quarter of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Horoscopes Oct. 27, 2024: Kelly Osbourne, the only limits will be the ones you put on yourself
CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Kelly Osbourne, 40; Patrick Fugit, 42; Peter Firth, 71; John Cleese, 85.
Happy Birthday: Decide what you want, put together a strategy and turn this year into one of progress, innovative moves and positioning yourself for prospects that titillate you mentally, physically and financially. The only limits will be the ones you put on yourself. Shoot for the stars and turn your dreams into a reality. Live, learn and lead the way to success and your desired happiness. Your numbers are 4, 11, 20, 27, 31, 37, 46.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Work through anxiety by challenging yourself physically. Take the opportunity to do something you’ve been putting off. Make a point to do what makes you happy and puts you at peace with yourself. An open mind, research and learning will encourage new interests. Pay attention and adjust your spending habits. 3 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Look at the open job market to see what interests you. Rethink your long-term plans and consider how to shorten your journey to reach your objective. Don’t miss an opportunity because of the demands someone makes. Say no to anyone taking liberties physically or financially. Avoid overspending. 5 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Say no to anyone trying to exploit you. Offer suggestions instead of time or money. Focus on self-betterment instead of propping up someone else. Emotional situations will fester if you participate in someone else’s drama, exaggerate or pass along dubious information. Focus inward. 2 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): When one door closes, another opens. Embrace the future with optimism. Look around and start a project that makes your living space more convenient. Socializing with people who share your concerns or interests will stimulate conversations, refresh your outlook and lead to positive results. 4 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Be careful what you say and to whom you say it. You may want to entertain others, but face the consequences if you stretch the truth. Concentrate more on what you can do to have a positive impact on yourself as well as others. Romance and self-improvement are favored. 3 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Take a critical look at your options, pay attention to detail and consider what makes you happy. Talking to an expert will give you a unique perspective regarding the tools you have and how to employ your skills to suit your current needs. Make logical choices, not emotional ones. 3 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Don’t burn bridges. Getting into a heated argument won’t solve anything. Be reasonable and responsible, and offer fair alternatives. Getting along with those you live or work alongside will make life easier. Do your part and set a good example, and everything else will fall into place. 3 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Pick up the pace, compete, challenge yourself and explore what sparks your imagination. Get together with people who make you think; attend a reunion, event or lecture that can enhance your mind and put you in touch with other individuals who are traveling down a similar path. 4 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): A strict routine will help you stick to a healthy lifestyle and encourage you to avoid indulgent behavior and those offering a poor example. Don’t believe everything you hear or buy into someone’s sob story. Be open and honest, and protect your reputation, position and well-being. 2 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): A steady pace will get you where you want to go, boost your confidence and connect you to people who can help you bring your dreams to fruition. Don’t waste time; be direct and generous with your time and expertise, and your dream will become your reality. 5 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You can set yourself up to excel if you concentrate on developing your skills, updating your knowledge and broadening your vision. Refuse to let the changes others pursue upset you or stand in your way. It’s okay to follow the path that excites you most. Focus on personal growth. 3 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Take care of your health and adjust your diet and fitness routine to encourage looking and feeling your best. Don’t succumb to temptation, or indulgent behavior will drag you down. Choose discipline over chaos, and make choices that will lead to new and exciting prospects. 3 stars
Birthday Baby: You are thoughtful, fiery and energetic. You are consistent and reliable.
1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others. 3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals. 4 stars: Aim high; start new projects. 5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.
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October 26, 2024
Local football standings: Pacific Coast Athletic League
Pacific Coast Athletic League
Gabilan Division
Salinas (7-1), 4-0
Soquel (6-2), 4-0
Monterey (4-4), 3-2
Aptos (5-3), 2-2
Palma (4-4), 1-3
Hollister (4-4), 1-3
Alvarez (2-7), 0-4
Thursday’s game
Aptos 23, Alvarez 22
Friday’s games
Palma 32, Hollister 15
Salinas 34, Arroyo Grande 24
Soquel 33, Monterey 6
Mission Division North
North County (5-3), 3-1
St. Francis (6-2), 3-1
Alisal (4-4), 3-1
Monte Vista (4-4), 3-2
Scotts Valley (3-6), 2-3
Watsonville (3-5), 1-3
Seaside (1-7), 1-4
Thursday’s game
St. Francis 18, Scotts Valley 14
Friday’s games
Monte Vista 42, North County 23
Alisal 50, Seaside 7
Bye: Watsonville.
Mission Division South
Carmel (8-0), 4-0
North Salinas (6-3), 4-1
Soledad (5-3), 3-1
Pacific Grove (5-3), 2-2
King City (4-5), 2-3
Greenfield (2-6), 0-4
Rancho San Juan (0-8), 0-4
Friday’s games
King City 34 Rancho San Juan 0
Soledad 21, Greenfield 14
Saturday’s game
North Salinas 43, Carmel 27
Bye: Pacific Grove
Santa Lucia Division
Stevenson (5-2), 4-0
San Lorenzo Valley (8-0), 4-0
Pajaro Valley (4-5), 3-2
Gonzales (4-4), 2-2
Santa Cruz (1-8), 1-4
Marina (1-6), 1-3
Harbor (1-6), 0-4
Saturday’s games
Gonzales 28, Pajaro Valley 13
San Lorenzo Valley 41, Santa Cruz 0
Marina 49, Harbor 36
Bye: Stevenson
Pro soccer: Union fall in season finale in Tulsa
TULSA, Oklahoma — There will be a lot of conversations in the off season, with changes sure to come for Monterey Bay F.C.
Whether the expectations were realistic or not for a third year franchise, the Union didn’t live up to the hype, resulting in a mid-season coaching change and its worst season on record.
The Union closed the 2024 season Saturday, falling 2-1 at Tulsa, finishing the campaign with their fewest wins (8) and points (34), missing the postseason for the third straight year.
Monterey Bay F.C. will finish the 34 game season in 11th place in the Western Conference of the United Soccer League Championship, its worst finish in team history.
The Union, who were sitting in a playoff spot after a 1-0 win in Pittsburgh on July 6, went a team record 11 straight matches without a win to fall back in the pack.
A winless stretch that last 90 days, ended on Oct. 4 when Monterey Bay F.C. showed a pulse after a win over defending USL champion Phoenix.
But it close the season 0-2-1, having been eliminated from the postseason with two matches left in the season.
The firing of sporting director and head coach Frank Yallop did not light the fire Monterey Bay F.C. management had hoped for as the franchise won just one match under Jordan Stewart.
Stewart, a former San Jose Earthquake standout, will have an entire off-season to evaluate his personnel and rebuild the roster going into the 2025 season
While injuries crippled Monterey Bay F.C. throughout the second half of the season, its lack of production sent them spiraling, as it failed to score in 16 matches this year.
Missing leading scorer Tristan Trager and the Union’s single-season goal record holder Alex Dixon over the final six matches left the offense searching for an identity.
A strength going forward for the Union is their goal tending were keepers Antony Siaha and Carlos Herrera were steady between the pipes.
In fact, Siaha went into the final week of the season as the USL leader in saves with 102, despite missing the last six matches of the season.
One of those scoreless adventures for the Union was a scoreless draw with Tulsa earlier this year. A goal from Diego Gutierrez in the second half cut into a 2-0 deficit.
The Union will finish the season 8-16-10, while Tulsa was four points ahead of them at 9-14-11. Both will be home for the playoffs.
Tulsa has never lost to Monterey Bay F.C. holding a 3-0-1 overall record.
