The Golden State Warriors are staring down a tough stretch, and Thursday night’s 123-115 loss to the Dallas Mavericks only underscored just how steep the climb might be without Jimmy Butler in the lineup.
This marked the Warriors’ second straight loss since Butler tore his ACL on Monday - a devastating blow for a team that had been building momentum. And while Stephen Curry turned in a vintage performance, dropping 38 points on 14-of-27 shooting and drilling eight threes, it still wasn’t enough to pull Golden State across the finish line.
Curry Delivers, But It’s Not Enough
There’s no questioning what Curry brings to the floor - leadership, shot-making, and the kind of gravity that warps defenses. On Thursday, he did everything short of carrying the team on his back. But even with that kind of offensive firepower, the Warriors couldn't overcome their defensive lapses, rebounding woes, and a Mavericks team that’s suddenly found its stride.
Golden State now sits at 25-21, while Dallas, riding a four-game win streak, improved to 19-26. For the Warriors, the loss isn't just about the score - it’s about what it reveals in the post-Butler era, at least for the rest of this season.
Kerr: “It’s a Really Weird Box Score”
After the game, Steve Kerr didn’t sugarcoat it. He pointed to the oddity of the box score - Curry’s 38 points came with a surprising minus-24 in the plus-minus column.
“He’s obviously very capable, as he showed tonight,” Kerr said. “Ironically, the non-Steph minutes were actually really good tonight. It’s a really weird box score.”
That’s the kind of stat that makes you pause. When your best player lights up the scoreboard but your team still gets outscored heavily while he’s on the floor, it raises deeper questions about spacing, defensive breakdowns, and overall cohesion.
Life Without Butler Has Already Gotten Hard
Before his injury, Butler was averaging 20.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists while shooting nearly 52% from the field. More than the numbers, though, he gave the Warriors a secondary creator, a physical presence on both ends, and someone who could steady the ship when Curry sat.
Without him, the Warriors are scrambling for answers - and the Mavericks exposed that.
Dallas dominated the boards, outrebounding Golden State 54-35. That kind of disparity makes it nearly impossible to win, especially when you’re not shooting the lights out from deep. The Warriors couldn’t generate second-chance points, and they struggled to keep Dallas off the offensive glass.
Naji Marshall, Cooper Flagg Step Up for Dallas
The Mavericks didn’t just win - they got big-time performances from unexpected places. Naji Marshall led the way with 30 points and nine assists, while Cooper Flagg posted 21 points and a career-high 11 rebounds.
With Dallas missing its top three rim protectors - Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, and Daniel Gafford - it should’ve been an opportunity for Golden State to attack the paint. Instead, they settled for threes - and missed most of them.
The Warriors went just 15-of-46 from beyond the arc. Take away Curry’s 8-of-15, and the rest of the team was a brutal 7-of-31. That’s not going to cut it, especially on the road.
Kuminga Injury Adds to the Challenge
To make matters worse, Jonathan Kuminga left the game in the second quarter after stepping on a defender’s foot, injuring his left knee. He’ll undergo an MRI on Friday for both his knee and ankle, according to Kerr.
Kuminga had been showing signs of growth, especially in the wake of Butler’s injury, carving out a more prominent role in the rotation. If he’s sidelined for any length of time, the Warriors’ depth - already being tested - gets even thinner.
What’s Next?
The trade deadline looms on February 5, and the Warriors have decisions to make. Before Butler went down, they were surging - winners of 12 of their last 16. But that momentum has stalled, and now the front office has to weigh whether to stand pat, make a move to support Curry, or recalibrate expectations.
The Warriors have been here before - leaning heavily on Curry to carry the load. But the difference now is the margin for error is razor-thin. Without Butler, without consistent shooting, and potentially without Kuminga, Golden State has to find new ways to stay afloat in the ultra-competitive Western Conference.
Curry can still deliver magic. But if the Warriors want to stay in the playoff mix, they’ll need more than just heroics from No.
- They’ll need answers - and fast.