Steph, Kerr believe JP will ‘bounce back' after Game 1 struggles

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Jordan Poole’s first NBA Finals game wasn’t as flashy as his first playoff game, but those in the Warriors' locker room with him remain confident in the rising star.

In his first career playoff run, Poole averaged 18.4 points in 16 games heading into Game 1 on Thursday. 

But Poole scored just nine points on 2-of-7 shooting from the field and 1-of-5 from downtown in the Warriors’ 120-108 loss to the Celtics at home. He also committed four turnovers in 25 minutes.

“Yeah, I mean, you're comparing the numbers that he's capable of and the way that he can play-make and all that,” Curry told reporters after the game. “And it's tough when you're switching series to feel out how a team is going to guard him, and just making the right reads and slowing down a little bit.

“It's his first Finals game, and there's a lot of adrenaline, a lot of nerves and all that. But he'll settle in, and we all will play better Game 2 and, like I said, respond.” 

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr also is optimistic, despite the mediocre performance from the 22-year-old. 

RELATED: Five stats that stood out in Warriors' Game 1 loss to Celtics

“We'll watch the tape and see what we need to do,” Kerr said after the loss. “I thought Boston did a good job on Jordan. Put a lot of pressure on him. There's probably some things that we can do to help free him up. And then, you know, he's a hell of a player. So he'll bounce back and play better, too.”

As the Warriors fall behind 0-1 in the series, their third time doing so in the Kerr era, they will need a more aggressive Poole throughout the rest of the series if they want a Poole Party to turn into a parade in the Bay. 

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