A 130-129 loss to the Orlando Magic dropped the Golden State Warriors to 3-6 on the season.
Warriors starters took an early lead during the first quarter before head coach Steve Kerr introduced his early rotations. During the fourth quarter, the Magic scored on a 10-0 run to tie the score at 30-30. After building a 15-point lead at halftime, the Warriors failed to put the game away once more.
Undoubtedly, the Warriors are a much more talented team than the Magic. Despite this, Golden State has lost multiple games to less-gifted opponents this season. For the Dubs, everything seems disconnected. The Warriors have always been defined by a combination of star power and role-player synergy. This is despite individual greatness from Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Jordan Poole, Andrew Wiggins, and Klay Thompson.
Curry looked determined to end Golden State’s losing streak in the first game of a back-to-back. Curry scored 11 points on 4-for-5 shooting in the final seven minutes of the first half.
During the third quarter, the Splash Brothers combined to score 20 points in eight minutes, extending their lead to 15. In the first quarter, it seemed like the Warriors might be able to rest their starters before facing the Pelicans tomorrow. In the end, the Magic came back with a vengeance.
Following the Warriors’ dominance of the offensive glass in the first quarter, the Magic began to use their size advantage in the second half. Against Golden State’s porous defense, it was a recipe for disaster. Seven players scored at least 12 points in the Magic’s Thursday game. Jalen Suggs and Paul Banchero, who was the first overall pick in 2022, scored 26 points against Jalen Suggs and 22 against 22.
The Warriors failed to stop Orlando’s run in the fourth quarter as the game slipped away. Kerr devised a play to get Thompson a quick three with 31 seconds left. Klay hit the shot to pull the Warriors within one. Thompson missed a contested run as time expired after Banchero turned the ball over with 4.9 seconds left.
Curry looked immaculate. He scored 39 points and nine assists during the game on 13-for-22 shooting. With 27 points and a plus/minus of +13, Thompson had his most impressive performance of the season. However, that wasn’t enough to beat a 22-60 team last season. That shouldn’t be a positive sign.
While no one player is to blame for the Warriors’ struggles, the continued struggles of backup center James Wiseman are a significant concern. Due to his offensive shortcomings on this road trip, his defense has also suffered.
During the Warriors’ past four games, Wiseman has committed more fouls than points (11). Suppose Wiseman fails to take some meaningful steps forward soon. In that case, Kerr will be under additional pressure to cut his minutes if another former lottery pick, Jonathan Kuminga, is relegated to the bench.
This week, the Warriors will travel to New Orleans to face the Pelicans.
