Warriors trounce Spurs without Leonard for 2-0 series lead
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Steve Kerr provided a strong message, just not from his usual spot on the bench: Play with urgency from the opening tip this time.
The Golden State Warriors did just that for their ailing coach watching from the locker room, and left Gregg Popovich questioning and criticizing his Spurs players for a lack of belief and feeling sorry for themselves without injured superstar Kawhi Leonard.
Stephen Curry had 29 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in three quarters and the Warriors trounced on the short-handed Spurs, running away from San Antonio for a 136-100 rout Tuesday night and a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference finals.
WARRIORS vs SPURS
EVENTS: 2017 NBA REGULAR SEASON
Klay Thompson, still struggling to find his steady shooting touch, had 11 points, six rebounds and four assists. The Warriors had 39 assists -- the most by any team this postseason -- including 30 on their initial 38 baskets.
Shaun Livingston scored in double figures for the first time this postseason with 10 points for Golden State.
Simmons started in Leonard's place and made 6 of 9 shots to begin the game while the rest of the Spurs were 3 for 22.
Spurs: The Spurs had 23 offensive rebounds after 14 in Game 1. ... Patty Mills, playing in place of the injured Tony Parker, had another quiet night. After he went 1 for 8 and missed all six of his 3s in the first game, he finally hit from long range midway through the second Tuesday.
Warriors: Kerr attended his second game this series but again watched behind the scenes as he recovers from a May 5 procedure at Duke University to repair a spinal fluid leak. ... Golden State's 23 first-half assists were its most ever in a playoff half, topping 22 against Phoenix on May 4, 1994. The Warriors notched their fourth 30-assist game this postseason.