The early trials and tribulations to the Warriors' opening week subsided briefly Sunday night against the Chicago Bulls when Damion Lee's eventual game-winning 3-pointer sealed Golden State's first victory of the season.
No teammate was more pumped up for Lee than Steph Curry, who doubles as Lee's brother-in-law. Lee is married to Curry's younger sister, Sydel. Curry took to Instagram to voice his support.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CJXFrj7FFWNStay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
"Big time message @dami0nlee....always stay ready," Curry wrote. "Your opportunity is coming! That’s 1 for #dubnation"
Download and subscribe to the Dubs Talk Podcast
With 5.0 seconds left in the game, and the Warriors trailing the Bulls 128-126, Lee inbounded the ball from the sideline to center Kevon Looney at the top of the arch. Looney handed the ball back to Lee, who was the play's third option after Curry and Andrew Wiggins. Lee took a dribble before draining a contested 3-pointer to give Golden State a one-point lead.
Golden State Warriors
Chaos instantly erupted -- especially from Curry.
A last second, nearly full-court attempt by the Bulls proved futile, and the Warriors would hang on to pick up a much-needed win, 129-128.
Lee's game-winner was crucial, especially for a team that has been plagued by 3-point shooting to open the year. The 28-year-old delivered an impactful game all around, leading the Warriors' reserves with 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting from downtown.
Curry led all scorers with 36 points, going 11-of-25 from the field and hitting 5-of-15 3-pointers. He also became the third NBA player in history to surpass 2,500 career 3-pointers. After the game, Curry told "Warriors Postgame Live" hosts Bonta Hill, and analysts Chris Mullin and Dorell Wright how important it was for Golden State to get their first win.
"Just to get that first one, it's huge," Curry added. "We talked about it all preseason. To start this year, we've got a young group and a different group and it's not going to look the same as years past. But to just get that monkey off your back, get a win, get some morale, have something to smile about, it means a lot."
RELATED: Iguodala's hilarious reaction to Lee's game-winner
Lee's game-winner surely provided all of the above.
"What a moment for D-Lee,” coach Steve Kerr said to Bay Area reporters after the game. “That's one he'll remember forever. We needed that. It was just a great win and everybody's feeling a lot better in that locker room.”
The Warriors will look to build off of Lee's game-winner when they take on a rebuilding Detroit Pistons team on Tuesday.