For perhaps the first time all season, there are real worries around the Golden State Warriors. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson suddenly can't shoot and Kevin Durant is injured and might not be back for the start of playoffs. In this week's Warriors Weekly update, we break down how worried to be, recap what's happened this week and take a peak at the coming games.
This Week:
The Warriors opened the week with a 119-108 win over the 76ers, but it wasn't a confidence-building win. Stephen Curry was one of five Warriors starters to reach 14 points, but of Curry's 19 points, none came from beyond the arc. In fact, he was 0 for 11, a career worst night. Klay Thompson wasn't all that great either, hitting 3 of 9. Unfortunately for the Warriors, it would only get worse.
The next night against the Wizards, the Warriors fell 112-108. But that's not all they lost, as Kevin Durant left the game with an injury that will likely sideline him for at least the rest of the regular season. Curry had 25, but was just 2 of 9 from 3-point range and Klay Thompson was an even worse 3 of 13. The Warriors turned it over 19 times and missed a few chances late to at least tie the game.
And in the first game without Durant, the Warriors dropped back-to-back games for the first time in 146 games in a 94-87 loss to the Chicago Bulls. The Warriors, one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the NBA, shot a worse percentage from 3-point range than the Bulls, one of the worst. Go figure. Curry was 2 for 11 from 3-point range, while Thompson 1 for 11.
So, Is It Time To Panic?
Let's start with the Durant injury. Losing him, for however long he's out, sucks. The team, without one of the three best players in the NBA, will undoubtedly suffer. But if he comes back in time for the playoffs (or even the second round), the Warriors should be fine. If he misses the playoffs, the Cavs and even the Spurs feel way better about their chances. So in that area, don't panic yet, but don't feel too great either.
As for the recent losses, even with Durant they were going to be in trouble with the way Curry and Thompson are shooting. Two of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA are a combined 11 for 64 behind the arc (Thompson is 7 for 33 and Curry is 4 for 31). That's 17 percent and really bad. But here's the good news. Who think those two are going to continue shooting like that? Exactly, no one. They'll bounce back. Just give it time. Even without Durant (for the time being), the Warriors are one of the two best teams in the Western Conference (the Spurs are really good).
What's Up Next:
Golden State looks to get back on track with a visit to the struggling New York Knicks Sunday. After that, it's a road back-to-back against the Atlanta Hawks Monday. They're back home Wednesday against the Boston Celtics, the No. 2 team in the Eastern Conference. Then it's back on the road for games against the Minnesota Timberwolves Friday and San Antonio Spurs Saturday. That's not exactly an easy slate of games for a team not playing great.
What They're Saying About The Warriors:
Examining the Warriors' wing situation without Durant (San Jose Mercury News)
Patrick McCaw tries to seize chance in starting lineup (San Francisco Chronicle)
Matt Barnes assault trial pushed back for potential Finals run (Bleacher Report)