Warriors’ Streak Ends with Shocking Loss to Short-Handed Nuggets

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The Golden State Warriors‘ seven-game winning streak came to an abrupt end Monday night as they suffered a surprising 114-105 defeat to the Denver Nuggets at Chase Center. The Nuggets, missing key players Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, and Christian Braun, capitalized on an off-night performance from Stephen Curry, who struggled with both turnovers and a lower back strain.

Curry, often referred to as the heart of the Warriors, faced significant challenges throughout the game. He turned the ball over seven times and shot only 6-of-21 from the field, a stark contrast to his typical MVP-level performance. “He’s tired. Steph’s been carrying us for a month. He’s been amazing. He’s tired. We gotta get him some rest,” said Warriors head coach Steve Kerr.

The loss highlighted the Warriors’ inability to capitalize on their opponent’s shortcomings, with a total of 20 turnovers and 12 missed free throws contributing to their demise. Kerr was critical of his team’s performance, stating, “It’s hard to win an NBA game when you throw the ball to the other team 10 times. They played great. The right team won. We didn’t deserve that. We were awful.”

Despite the poor showing from their star player, the Warriors attempted to rally in the final minutes, narrowing a 15-point deficit to six points. An opportunity arose when Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon turned the ball over, but Curry’s decision to attempt a risky alley-oop instead of settling for a straightforward shot ended in yet another turnover. “That’s on myself and that’s on us as a unit to pick up the slack for him,” said Jimmy Butler, a key contributor who finished with 23 points and six assists.

After the game, Curry explained his frustrations: “I feel fine. Obviously, I didn’t play great at all so everybody, including Coach, is going to try to figure out why. Mostly the turnovers, dumb plays all night.” Kerr acknowledged the possibility of resting Curry for their next game against the Milwaukee Bucks, emphasizing the need to conserve his energy. “He’s exhausted,” Kerr reiterated.

The Warriors looked to their supporting cast to step up in the absence of Curry’s usual dominance. Jonathan Kuminga, who returned from an ankle injury, logged 27 minutes on the court but was unable to shift the tide in favor of Golden State. The team’s decision to adopt a small-ball approach in the second half, with most centers benched, fell short of providing the necessary spark.

This defeat serves as a crucial reminder for the Warriors, who have showcased resilience throughout the season but faced challenges in maintaining consistent performance levels. The upcoming game against the Bucks will test their ability to rebound without the full capacity of their star player.

Reflecting on the loss, Kerr emphasized the need for self-awareness within the team. “You go into a game and the other team’s best players are out. There’s like this natural letdown… We got what we deserved.” As the Warriors prepare for their next match, ensuring Curry’s health will be pivotal in their pursuit of a championship.