The once-mighty Golden State Warriors hit a new low on Monday night, suffering a humiliating 125-85 home loss to the Boston Celtics, the worst defeat at Chase Center in the Steve Kerr coaching era. The 40-point margin highlighted just how far the Warriors have fallen since their champagne-soaked title celebration in 2022.
Stephen Curry, the face of the franchise and architect of their dynastic run, could only watch from the bench as the Celtics ran roughshod over his undermanned squad. He exited the game for good near the end of the third quarter with Boston up by 32, a sign of surrender from a team that once prided itself on resilience and never-say-die spirit.
A Shell of Their Former Selves
In his postgame comments, a visibly frustrated Curry acknowledged the stark contrast between the two teams. He noted how the Celtics, the reigning champions, still have their battle-tested core of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown intact. Meanwhile, these Warriors are practically unrecognizable from their glory days.
“Yeah, we have an entirely different roster pretty much obviously, especially without Draymond out there… They’re coming in with a level of confidence and swagger about ’em and it’s exact opposite of what we have right now.”
Stephen Curry on the Celtics
Injuries have certainly played a role in Golden State’s demise. Draymond Green, the defensive anchor and emotional leader, will miss at least a week with a mild calf strain. Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski remain sidelined, while Kyle Anderson sat out against Boston with a glute issue. But their problems run deeper than the injury report.
Fading Dynasty or Temporary Dip?
After their blistering 12-3 start to the season, the Warriors have limped to a 9-18 record since. They currently sit at 21-21, clinging to fading hopes of catching lightning in a bottle as they did during their improbable title run in 2022.
Curry believes this upcoming stretch of home-heavy games could make or break their season:
“It’s incredibly significant for our season… the idea that we can keep ourselves afloat until we get some guys back can kind of make or break our season to be honest, to keep it real.”
Stephen Curry on the importance of the Warriors’ upcoming schedule
Coach Steve Kerr will need to work some magic to right the ship and salvage what’s left of a season that began with cautious optimism but has quickly careened off course. Kevon Looney put it bluntly, “That year [the 2022 title] seems further and further away but hopefully we can get back to that feeling of being a champion. But we got a long way to go.”
The Road Ahead
The Warriors will look to bounce back on Wednesday in Sacramento before returning home for crucial matchups against the Bulls and Lakers. With each deflating loss, the pressure mounts. The hourglass is emptying on a Golden era.
Championships have a way of warping perspective. The peaks seem insurmountable, the valleys unfathomable. Perhaps we’re witnessing the last gasps of a fading dynasty. Or maybe the Warriors have one final miracle up their sleeve. The NBA script has yet to be written. One thing’s for sure – the Warriors’ reign is no longer unassailable. The throne is vacant, the contenders are circling. It’s time for Curry and company to prove they won’t be relegated to the history books just yet.
