In the absence of their top two players, the Golden State Warriors struggled to find their usual offensive flow and fell short against the Dallas Mavericks, losing 109-99 at the American Airlines Center on Wednesday.
Leading the charge for the Warriors was Jonathan Kuminga, who poured in 27 points but also grappled with six turnovers. Andrew Wiggins overcame a slow start to contribute 17 points, while Trayce Jackson-Davis chipped in with 10 points and nine rebounds.
However, without Stephen Curry, sidelined for the third consecutive game due to a right ankle injury, and Draymond Green out with lower back soreness, the Warriors found themselves lacking crucial firepower.
The only silver lining for Golden State was the end of Luka Dončić’s streak of consecutive triple-doubles at six games. Nonetheless, Dončić still impressed with 21 points, nine assists, and three rebounds, receiving ample support from his Mavericks teammates.
Prior to this defeat, the Warriors (34-31) had been in stellar form on the road, winning nine of their previous 11 games away from the Chase Center.
Frustrations mounted for the Warriors, evident in the fourth quarter when Chris Paul received a technical foul and sarcastically mimicked the official’s call.
Looking ahead, the road doesn’t get any smoother for Golden State, but a victory against the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday could help steer them back on course.
Key Takeaways from Wednesday’s Game:
1. Lack of Support: The absence of Curry and Green was keenly felt, particularly on the offensive end, where the Warriors struggled to establish a rhythm. Unlike their previous game where six players scored at least 13 points, the team heavily relied on Kuminga, leaving him somewhat isolated against the Mavericks’ defense.
2. Second-Quarter Struggles: The momentum shifted in favor of the Mavericks during a dismal second quarter for the Warriors, where they managed only 15 points. Shooting woes, turnovers, and defensive lapses plagued Golden State, allowing Dallas to capitalize and build a significant lead.
3. Filling in for Draymond: Green’s absence was sorely felt, highlighting his multifaceted contributions to the team. Coach Steve Kerr experimented with various options to compensate, but the combined efforts of Jackson-Davis, Kevon Looney, and Dario Saric fell short of replicating Green’s impact on both ends of the floor.
Despite the setbacks, the Warriors will need to regroup swiftly and address their shortcomings to maintain their competitiveness in the challenging NBA landscape.
