© Daniel Dunn | 2021 Feb 8
The only thing that stopped the Warriors from a comfortable win vs. the Spurs on Monday was themselves.
Despite outshooting the Spurs 44 to 40 percent from the field, 20 Golden State (12-12) turnovers contributed to a 105-100 defeat, spoiling an otherwise impressive performance vs. always disciplined San Antonio (14-10). Ultimately it was a Dejounte Murray shot-clock beating, dagger three-pointer with 12 seconds left that was the defining play, giving the Spurs a four-point lead just two possessions after Draymond Green missed two key free throws.
Dejounte Murray (27 PTS) hits the clutch 3 to help secure the @spurs win! #GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/yNn8jHylmW
— NBA (@NBA) February 9, 2021
Golden State still had a shot after Curry hit a quick three on the other end cutting the lead back down to one. DeMar DeRozan hit two free throws on the other end after a quick foul giving the Warriors one last possession, down by three with 5.6 seconds left. Unfortunately, Draymond Green spoiled it with a wild shot, expecting to be fouled as he caught the inbounds.
One of the Warriors’ worst losses of the season ends in a blunder. Draymond Green, down three, thought Spurs were coming to foul him. They didn’t and he chucked a 40-footer off the backboard with five seconds left. pic.twitter.com/E97E2E4SGG
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) February 9, 2021
The loss is an especially disappointing one, considering the Warriors offense picked right up where it left off in the two explosive showings vs. Dallas, opening up a 36-27 first quarter lead. Golden State did so with excellent ball movement, cutting and hitting wide-open shots, their formula for success during the Kerr era.
Yet the decision making wavered, and the Warriors’ inability to hold onto the ball contributed to just 44 combined points in the second and third. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the Warriors led by just two, and lead which quickly dissipated thanks to an ice cold stint from the reserve unit.
That left Curry with just 5:33 to erase a seven-point deficit upon checking back in. He needed more time.
A key sequence took place with just over three minutes remaining, when Kelly Oubre missed a wide open three in transition and Curry bricked the layup after an offensive rebound. Murray made them pay, nailing a three on the other end.
Murray made the Warriors pay all night, his Freddy Krueger like arms contributing to a eight steals on the defensive end. He also paced the Spurs offensively with 27 points, a good example of why San Antonio has seen him as their point guard of the future for half a decade.
Curry did his best to match on the other end, hitting a handful of insane three-pointers as part of a 32 point, six three-pointer night. Kelly Oubre had his second stong offensive showing in three games, dropping 24 points while going 4-for-8 from three and finding easy buckets thanks to well timed back cuts in the half court. His counterpart on the wing did not fare as well, Andrew Wiggins contributing just 11 points on an anonymous 4-for-12.
Monday was the type of game a .500 team loses, and that’s exactly what the Warriors are to an almost absurd degree. They’ve scored just two more points than they’ve given up (2,734 to 2,732) and haven’t lost or won more than two in a row. Golden State will have a chance to get their revenge when they play the Spurs again on Tuesday.
Some good news pregame came via an update on Klay Thompson, who is out of the walking boot he’s been wearing since surgery on his Achilles.
Picture from the Warriors shootaround in San Antonio this morning: Klay Thompson out of a walking boot as his Achilles rehab inches forward pic.twitter.com/HZxFdrWMCa
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) February 8, 2021
“Getting the boot off is a milestone,” Kerr said. “I’m not sure what’s next.”