In the latest from the NBA:
Steve Kerr had some candid thoughts following the Warriors' recent struggles, as they dropped two "winnable" games. After a tough 130-124 overtime loss to the Bulls, Kerr acknowledged the challenges his team faces.
“These were both very winnable games,” Kerr noted. “We had the lead late tonight - it was one we should have had.
But in the NBA, especially when you’re banged up, games are tight. You’ve got to finish, and we didn’t on either night.”
The Warriors seemed poised for victory against Chicago, holding control late in regulation. However, the game slipped away, leading to an overtime showdown where Matas Buzelis shone with a career-high 41 points. Similarly, the previous night against Utah, the Warriors faltered in the final moments, despite the Jazz benching Keyonte George, their second-leading scorer.
Kerr’s comments highlight the Warriors' current predicament. With key players sidelined, the team is relying on its depth, which has kept games competitive but also left little room for mistakes. This has been costly, dropping the Warriors below .500 at 32-33 and to ninth in the Western Conference standings.
The Warriors’ recent losses underscore their thin margin for error. Even against teams like the Jazz and Bulls, who are struggling this season, Golden State couldn’t capitalize.
The Bulls, despite their trade-deadline moves that weakened their roster, managed to outplay the Warriors. The Jazz, fined recently for resting healthy players, also found a way to edge out a win.
In the first half against the Bulls, the Warriors were outpaced, trailing 57-51. Chicago’s hustle was evident, with Josh Giddey leading their charge with 10 assists. The Warriors’ offense struggled, shooting just 37.5% inside the arc and recording only nine assists in the half.
Kristaps Porzingis, reflecting on his third game with the Warriors, admitted, “I’m pretty gassed.”
In other NBA news, Bam Adebayo delivered a jaw-dropping performance, scoring 83 points against the Wizards. “It’s a special moment,” Adebayo said.
“It’s Wilt, me, then Kobe, which sounds crazy.” His shooting was remarkable, going 20-for-43 from the floor and setting new records with 43 free-throw attempts, making 36.
Steve Kerr also weighed in on the NBA’s schedule, suggesting fewer games could improve the league. However, he acknowledged that reducing games might conflict with the league’s revenue goals.