As much as the Golden State Warriors have struggled this season, they had a prime opportunity to make a big statement on Thursday as they visited the Boston Celtics, the team they defeated in last season’s NBA Finals.
Golden State went up by 11 at one point late in the third quarter, and with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combining to shoot just 15-of-45, it looked like the defending world champs were going to win a big game.
Instead, the Celtics fought back to force overtime, where they prevailed, 121-118.
Had the Warriors won, it could’ve served as an impetus for a possible turnaround the rest of this season.
But the loss dropped them under .500, and with a 22-23 record, they sit in ninth place in the Western Conference.
At this point of the season, they need to get hot, otherwise they will be in danger of possibly missing the playoffs, which would be a humiliating way for Golden State to end its title defense.
This season’s Warriors have been a mystery wrapped up in an enigma.
They aren’t fully healthy yet, as young prospects Jonathan Kuminga and James Wiseman are out with a sprained foot and ankle, respectively, but they’re healthy enough to win games in bunches.
While Golden State is 17-5 at home, it is only 5-18 away from Chase Center, which is simply unacceptable for a team that boasts Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
Thompson is starting to look like his old, pre-injury self again, while Curry is putting up an MVP-caliber season.
Klay Thompson’s red-hot January continuing in the Garden 🔥
(🎥: @NBCSWarriors) pic.twitter.com/IBlfeM0yVs
— KNBR (@KNBR) January 20, 2023
Klay Thompson at half:
20 PTS
4 3PMHis league-leading 7th half with 4+ threes made. pic.twitter.com/B6RBoGWrvC
— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 20, 2023
The Warriors have started a tough stretch that includes games against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Denver Nuggets, and they still have the opportunity to make a move and regain their mojo.
But if they don’t do so soon, the mood around the team could darken considerably by the All-Star break.
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