Kevon Looney set to return to Warriors' lineup soon after hip injury

 

The Golden State Warriors are in good form and are working hard to improve their game as they prepare for the playoffs. Their recent win against the Dallas Mavericks was crucial and they are optimistic about their chances in the postseason. Here are some of the latest news and updates on the team:

- **Jordan Poole has shown improvements in his defence and attributes it to his off-season training.** The third-year guard has been one of the most consistent scorers for the Warriors this season, averaging 16.7 points per game on 45.6% shooting from the field and 40.2% from beyond the arc. But he has also made strides on the defensive end, where he has increased his steals per game from 0.4 to 1.2 and his defensive rating from 112.9 to 108.5. Poole credits his off-season training with former NBA player Gary Payton for helping him improve his defensive skills and mindset. He said: "He taught me a lot about angles, positioning, being aggressive, being smart with my fouls, and things like that. He also taught me how to take pride in defence and how it can lead to offence." Poole's defensive improvement has been noticed by his teammates and coaches, who have praised him for his effort and energy on both ends of the floor.

- **Paul George revealed that his first impression of the Warriors' style of play was "boring," but has since come to appreciate their brand of basketball.** The LA Clippers star, who faced off against the Warriors on Thursday night, admitted that he was not a fan of the Warriors' style of play when he first entered the league in 2010. He said: "I thought it was boring. I thought it was just too much passing." However, he said that he has changed his mind over time and now respects how the Warriors play as a team and move the ball around. He said: "I've grown to appreciate it because I understand how hard it is to do that consistently night after night after night ... They're one of those teams that you have to give credit where credit is due." George also complimented Stephen Curry for being an "amazing" player and leader for the Warriors.

- **Andrew Wiggins continues to struggle with his consistency on the offensive end.** The former No. 1 pick, who was traded from Minnesota to Golden State last season, has been inconsistent with his scoring output this season. He is averaging 17 points per game on 43% shooting from the field and 34% from the three-point range, which are below his career averages of 19.5 points on 44% shooting from the field and 33% from the three-point range. Wiggins has also had some games where he scored below 10 points or shot below 30% from the field. Wiggins said that he is trying to find his rhythm and confidence on offence while also playing solid defence for the team. He said: "I'm just trying to do whatever I can to help us win ... Some nights I'm going to score more than others, some nights I'm going to shoot better than others, but I'm always going to play hard on defence."

- **Kevon Looney is expected to return to

the Warriors' lineup soon after being sidelined with a hip injury**[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30]

The veteran centre missed six games with a right hip flexor strain before returning against Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night[31]. Looney played only nine minutes before leaving again with soreness in his hip[32]. However, he said that he felt better after getting treatment[33]and hoped

to be back soon[34]. Looney is a valuable piece for

the Warriors' defense and rebounding[35], as he averages

6 rebounds[36],1 block[37],and0.[38]

8 steals per game[39], while having a defensive rating of

104.[40]

4[41], which ranks second among regular rotation players behind Draymond Green[42].

- **Steve Kerr is pleased with

the team's overall effort and resilience in recent games**[43][44][45]

The Warriors' head coach praised

his players for their fight and determination