Warriors Grind Out Win Without Steph, But Shooting Woes Remain a Major Concern
The Golden State Warriors managed to scrape out a win over the New Orleans Pelicans in their first game without Steph Curry - but it wasn’t pretty. In fact, it was anything but. The final score read 104-96, but the real story was the struggle to put the ball in the basket.
This wasn’t a high-octane shootout. It was a grind.
The kind of game where every possession felt like a battle, and every made shot felt like a minor miracle. Against a Pelicans team sitting at 3-17 and missing key pieces, the Warriors still found themselves locked in a low-scoring slog that took all 48 minutes to settle.
Shooting Struggles Continue - Even in a Win
Golden State shot just 41% from the field and a rough 26% from three-point range. Those numbers might fly in a defensive slugfest, but against a team that’s been reeling all season? That’s not the kind of performance that inspires long-term confidence - especially with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the defending champs, up next.
Still, the Warriors found just enough offense to get the job done. Jimmy Butler led the way with 24 points and 10 assists, doing his best to steady the ship in Curry’s absence.
Gary Payton II brought a spark off the bench, scoring a season-high 19 points and giving Golden State a much-needed jolt of energy. But outside of those two, the offense never truly found its rhythm.
Kerr Preaches Patience, Trusts the Process
Head coach Steve Kerr wasn’t panicking after the game. In fact, he sounded as calm and confident as ever when addressing the media.
“I liked a lot of the shots, they just weren’t going in,” Kerr said. “If you take care of the ball and you get shots on the board, it just sets the game up.
Your transition defense is better, it gives you a chance to get offensive boards - the game didn’t feel that rhythmic, but it felt clean. We weren’t turning it over or making mistakes.
That’s important.”
That’s classic Kerr - focusing on the process rather than the result. And he’s not wrong.
The Warriors did a decent job taking care of the ball and limiting mistakes. But at some point, the shots have to fall.
“The shots will start going in,” Kerr added. “We got a really good shooting team, so those numbers will come around.”
He’s banking on history - and his roster - to prove him right. Over the past few years, the Warriors have hovered around league average in three-point percentage.
After Saturday night, they sit 17th in the NBA from deep. Not great, not terrible - but a far cry from the elite shooting identity this team has been known for.
Who Needs to Step Up?
The numbers tell a pretty clear story. Five players are currently shooting above 38% from three: Jimmy Butler, Moses Moody, Steph Curry, Will Richard, and Brandin Podziemski. That’s a solid group - but it drops off fast.
The rest of the roster is shooting between 33% and 27%, and that includes some names you wouldn’t expect to be struggling: Buddy Hield, Al Horford, and Quinten Post - all players with reputations as reliable shooters.
And then there’s the Steph factor.
Curry’s impact on this team’s offense goes far beyond his scoring. His gravity - the way defenses have to account for him 30 feet from the hoop - creates open looks for everyone else.
Without him on the floor, those same looks become contested, rushed, or just plain tougher. The result?
A team-wide shooting drop-off that’s hard to ignore. In some cases, players are seeing their percentages dip by more than 20% when Curry’s off the court.
Help Is on the Way - In the Form of a Familiar Name
There may be some relief on the horizon. Seth Curry is officially rejoining the Warriors, and his arrival couldn’t come at a better time. One of the most efficient shooters in NBA history - seventh all-time in career three-point percentage - Seth brings instant spacing and a much-needed boost to the second unit.
He’s not going to replace what Steph brings, but he doesn’t have to. What the Warriors need right now is someone who can knock down open shots and help stabilize the offense when things start to stall. Seth fits that mold perfectly.
A Big Test Awaits
The Warriors don’t have much time to enjoy this win. They’ll be back on the court Tuesday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder - the defending champs and one of the most balanced teams in the league.
If Golden State wants to pull off the upset, they’ll need more than just grit and hustle. They’ll need shots to fall.
They’ll need Buddy Hield to rediscover his stroke. They’ll need Seth Curry to hit the ground running.
And they’ll need to find a way - somehow - to generate consistent offense without the engine that makes everything go.
The Warriors got the win on Saturday. But the real challenge is just beginning.