The Golden State Warriors find themselves at a critical juncture in their season after dropping a heartbreaking 115-113 decision to the Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas Day. The loss, which came despite a players-only meeting and a season-high 38 points from Stephen Curry, has the defending champions searching for answers amid a concerning stretch that has seen them lose 11 of their last 14 games.
Curry, who spearheaded the impromptu team meeting before tip-off, emphasized the gravity of the moment for a Warriors squad that has looked uncharacteristically vulnerable of late. “It is an inflection point on obviously which direction our season can go,” the two-time MVP acknowledged postgame. “Our last 14 games, it’s just been tough trying to find any type of momentum or consistency.”
That lack of consistency was on full display against the Lakers, as Golden State squandered a valiant fourth-quarter rally from Curry. After falling behind 104-94 with just over three minutes remaining, the superstar guard poured in 13 of his game-high 38 points down the stretch, including a pair of clutch threes in the final 30 seconds to knot the score at 113-113.
Kerr: “We’re Going Through It Right Now”
But it was the Lakers who had the final say, as Austin Reaves converted a driving layup with 1.7 seconds left to seal the win and send the Warriors to their second straight defeat. The loss dropped Golden State to 15-14 on the season and into a tie for eighth place in the Western Conference standings.
“We’re down,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr admitted after the game. “Everybody’s disappointed. We’ve lost some confidence. You can feel it.” Still, the eight-time champion remained resolute that his team will find a way to break out of its current funk. “I love our guys, high-character guys. They care. They care about each other. I believe in them. I believe we’re going to get this thing turned around.”
Curry’s Christmas Masterpiece Not Enough
For Curry, the loss overshadowed what was arguably his most dazzling Christmas Day performance to date. The eight-time All-Star connected on 14 of his 24 shot attempts, including a blistering 8-of-15 from three-point range, while adding five rebounds and five assists over 37 minutes.
It was the kind of transcendent showing that has become synonymous with Curry’s illustrious career, but one that ultimately went for naught as Golden State fell to 9-4 on the holiday. The defeat also spoiled the latest installment of Curry’s long-standing Christmas Day rivalry with LeBron James, who tallied 25 points, 12 rebounds and five assists to pace the Lakers.
Warriors at a Crossroads
As the Warriors look to regroup, they do so knowing that their margin for error is rapidly shrinking in a loaded Western Conference. With the season nearly one-third complete, Golden State finds itself looking up at the likes of the Grizzlies, Nuggets, Pelicans and Suns in the standings, all while trying to rediscover the chemistry and cohesion that powered last year’s title run.
To that end, Curry made clear that he and his teammates remain united in their belief that they can turn things around. “I still have hope and faith and confidence that we can figure it out,” the future Hall of Famer said. “So it’s how I’m built and I feel like you go out there and you talk about it, but how you execute, how you show up on a nightly basis, the effort we’re giving, even considering what our record’s been over the last stretch, it’s a team that’s desperate, trying to figure it out.”
The Warriors won’t have to wait long for their next chance to start building some positive momentum, as they’ll be back in action Friday against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Intuit Dome. Whether Curry suits up for that contest remains to be seen, however, as Kerr indicated that the team could opt to rest the 34-year-old as he manages lingering tendinitis in both of his knees.
Regardless of Curry’s status, this much is certain: For a Warriors team that entered the season with visions of defending their NBA crown, the time to turn things around is now. Because in a league as unforgiving as the NBA, windows of opportunity can slam shut in the blink of an eye – even for a dynastic franchise like Golden State.
