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MILWAUKEE — The Warriors suffered a heart-breaking 129-125 defeat to the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday.
They blew a double-digit lead. They got lit up for 55 points by rookie Brandon Jennings (three shy of Wilt Chamberlain's record for most points by a rookie). They squandered a chance to win down the stretch.
But the game, perhaps, wasn't their biggest loss of the night.
Swingman Kelenna Azubuike, one of the few bright spots so far, suffered a left patellar tendon injury in the first quarter and may be out for an extended period.
According to a team press release, Azubuike — who entered Friday's game averaging 15.6 points and five rebounds — was scheduled to return to the Bay Area today. He will meet with Dr. Frank Chen, the Warriors' orthopedist, and determine the diagnosis and the treatment plan.
"It's another setback for this team," swingman Stephen Jackson said. "Hopefully, it's not that serious."
Jennings certainly kicked the Warriors while they were down. He went on a historic run to steal the momentum from the Warriors, who led by as much as 13 at one point, by 10 early in the third quarter.
He made 12 straight shots in the third quarter en route to 29 third-quarter points. It was the most points ever scored against the Warriors by one player in a quarter, topping the 26 by Denver's Voshon Leonard on Dec. 3, 2003 in Oakland.
"Holy smokes," coach Don Nelson said. "I think that's probably
"We were at his mercy," said guard Acie Law, one of the four guys the Warriors used to try to stop Jennings. "There was nothing we could do."
The Warriors overcame Azubuike's demoralizing injury to take control of the game early.
With just over nine minutes left in the first quarter, Azubuike drove hard down the center of the line. He was getting ready to leap toward the basket when his left knee gave out. Azubuike wound up flying through the air and landing on his back. He immediately reached for his knee and stared at it in shock. It appeared as if his knee cap was out of place.
The Warriors finally committed a foul at the 9:03 mark. His teammates, illustrating the gravity of the injury, huddled around him. Azubuike was eventually wheeled off, his hand covering his face.
"Awful, man," Golden State guard Anthony Morrow said. "I just immediately started praying for him. I pray it's not too serious of an injury. He's been playing really well this year."
Still, by halftime, the Warriors were shooting 56.4 percent from the field and leading 57-49. What's more, Golden State held Milwaukee to 35.3 percent shooting. Jennings had 10 points on 4-for-13 shooting at intermission.
But Jennings knocked down a couple pull-up jumpers early in the third to get a rhythm, plus the Warriors kept going under the screen, giving Jennings good looks. Next thing you know, he couldn't miss. And the Warriors' lead was gone.
"I take my words back about Tyreke Evans being rookie of the year," Jackson said after totaling 21 points and five assists. "I think Brandon Jennings definitely has that locked up."
Despite Jennings' heroics, the Warriors had the ball with 17.7 seconds left, trailing 125-123. Morrow checked in and ran a two-man game with Maggette. Nelson said the play was to see if they could get a look at a 3-pointer, but if not, give it back to guard Monta Ellis and have him drive the basket.
The ball never made it to Ellis. Instead, Morrow gave the ball back to Maggette, who then gave it back to Morrow, who chucked and a clanked a contested 3-pointer. Morrow said though the Warriors only needed a two, he thought he got a good look.
"It was a tough situation coming off the bench," Morrow said. "I was thinking get the win. But at the same time that was the best shot."
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