The Golden State Warriors endured a tough 104-101 defeat against the Toronto Raptors on Monday night, marking a frustrating milestone in their season. Despite superstar Steph Curry returning to the lineup after recovering from knee soreness, the Warriors couldn’t overcome the struggling Raptors, who improved their season record to a modest 9-31. Meanwhile, the Warriors dropped to 19-20, slipping below the .500 mark for the first time this season.
A Night to Forget: Kerr Shoulders the Blame
In his postgame interview, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr didn’t hold back when addressing the team’s struggles. He candidly accepted responsibility for their lackluster performance, saying:
“Didn’t get good looks. Didn’t execute very well. It’s my fault. I’m the coach of the team. I have to find a way to help this team, and I’m not doing a good job of that.”
Kerr’s frustration was evident as he elaborated on the Warriors’ execution issues on both ends of the floor.
“We’re not executing, and that’s happening throughout the game at both ends. Missed rotations, missed coverages on defense, and poor possessions offensively, it’s all on me. … This is as frustrating a night as we have all season,” he added.
Warriors’ Offensive Struggles Persist
Golden State’s offensive woes were glaring. The team shot just 39.8% from the field (35-for-88) and a subpar 34.8% from beyond the arc (16-for-46). The Raptors, by comparison, shot more efficiently at 47.7% overall and 41.4% from deep. The Warriors were also outmatched in the paint, scoring just 26 points to Toronto’s 50. Adding to their struggles, they managed only 23 assists compared to the Raptors’ 28.
The absence of key contributors like Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Gary Payton II, and Brandin Podziemski didn’t go unnoticed. However, Kerr refused to lean on that as an excuse:
“We didn’t execute, plain and simple. Missing guys doesn’t mean we forget the fundamentals. We’ve got to be better as a unit, no matter who’s on the floor,” Kerr emphasized.
A Nail-Biter That Slipped Away
The Warriors entered the fourth quarter with a narrow 78-75 lead. But as has been the case too often this season, late-game execution proved to be their Achilles’ heel. They are now 11-13 in games decided by five points or fewer.
The final minutes offered a glimpse of hope, but clutch opportunities slipped through their fingers. Curry and Buddy Hield missed critical shots in the closing moments, sealing the Warriors’ fate.
Controversial Play Call: Kerr Defends Decision to Trust Buddy Hield
One of the most debated moments of the night came in the closing seconds when Kerr designed a play for Buddy Hield instead of Steph Curry. Down three points, many expected the ball to land in Curry’s hands for a potential game-tying shot. Instead, Curry played decoy, and Hield took the shot, which fell short.
Addressing the decision, Kerr stated:
“I trust him. I put him in the last play because I believe he’ll make the next shot. … I’m gonna keep playing him. I’m gonna keep trusting him.”
Hield’s shooting has been inconsistent in recent months. After shooting an impressive 41.4% from deep in November, his accuracy dipped to 30.5% in December and has only slightly rebounded to 32.7% this month. Despite these struggles, Kerr’s confidence in the sharpshooter remains unwavering.
What’s Next for the Warriors?
The Warriors will look to bounce back when they take on the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on Wednesday. With their playoff hopes hanging in the balance, Kerr and the team must regroup quickly to avoid further setbacks.
For fans and analysts, the question remains: Can the Warriors find the consistency they need to turn their season around, or will this campaign become another missed opportunity? With Steph Curry leading the charge, there’s always hope, but the road ahead looks increasingly steep.
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