Warriors Weather Trade-Week Turbulence, But Offense Still a Question Without Curry
The NBA trade deadline came and went, but the Golden State Warriors didn’t get a break - not from the schedule, and certainly not from the absence of their franchise cornerstone. With Stephen Curry sidelined through the All-Star break and newly acquired Kristaps Porzingis not yet available, Golden State was forced to navigate a tough week with grit, defense, and a whole lot of three-point attempts.
The result? A 1-2 record that revealed plenty about what this team can be - and what it still lacks.
Let’s break down the week that was.
Game 1: 113-94 Loss to the 76ers - Bench Shows Up, But Starters Stall Out
What Worked
Despite being down their top three scoring options, the Warriors came out swinging - at least early on. They dropped 55 points in the first half on 53% shooting and connected on 10-of-22 from beyond the arc. That kind of offensive rhythm, especially without Curry, was encouraging.
And the bench? They were the heartbeat of this game.
Pat Spencer led the charge with 13 points, and the second unit as a whole chipped in 42 of the team’s 94 total. More importantly, they won their minutes.
De’Anthony Melton (+9), Usman Garuba Post (+10), Spencer (+4), Buddy Hield (+6), and Gary Payton II (+2) all posted positive plus-minus numbers. The Warriors leaned heavily on the three-ball, finishing with 19 makes on 48 attempts (a solid 39.6%).
What Didn’t
This game was a stark reminder of how much Curry means to the starting five. The opening lineup - Podziemski, Moody, Santos, Draymond Green, and Al Horford - couldn’t generate offense, posting a brutal 64.3 offensive rating in their limited time together. That stretch alone swung the momentum and ultimately cost them the game.
Steve Kerr acknowledged the issues postgame and promised changes - and he wasn’t bluffing.
Turnovers also killed any chance of a comeback. Golden State coughed the ball up 20 times, with six coming in the fourth quarter alone. The Sixers turned those miscues into 15 points.
And despite starting both Draymond and Horford to try and match Philly’s size, the Warriors got manhandled on the glass. The 76ers pulled down 25 offensive rebounds, with Andre Drummond and Dominick Barlow grabbing six apiece. That translated into 20 second-chance points - far too many for a team missing its offensive engine.
Bottom line: when you give up 25 offensive boards and turn the ball over 20 times, you’re not winning many games - especially without Steph.
Game 2: 101-97 Win Over the Suns - Defense, Threes, and a Whole Lot of Heart
What Worked
This one was a throwback to the Warriors' identity: fast-paced, three-heavy, and relentless on defense. The closing sequence said it all - diving saves, hustle plays, and a group unwilling to give up an inch. Golden State held the Suns to just 97 points, their fourth-lowest total of the season.
The offensive strategy was clear from the jump: let it fly. The Warriors launched 37 threes in the first half - the most by any team in a half this season - and knocked down 15. They finished the night 20-of-55 from deep, compared to just 26 shots inside the arc.
Pat Spencer had a career night in what turned out to be his final game under a two-way contract. He poured in 20 points on six made threes, added six rebounds and four assists, and gave the Warriors the kind of spark they desperately needed.
Kerr made good on his lineup changes, pulling Horford and Podziemski from the starting five and inserting Spencer and Melton. The new unit - Spencer, Moody, Melton, Santos, and Green - posted a rock-solid 118.8 offensive rating and a stifling 58.8 defensive rating. That’s elite two-way basketball.
Melton, making his first start of the season, looked sharp in limited minutes. He finished with 17 points, three steals, and a team-best +21. His minutes are still being managed post-ACL surgery, but he made a strong case for a bigger role moving forward.
The bench stayed active too, with Gary Payton II contributing 15 points and eight boards.
What Didn’t
The third quarter nearly unraveled everything. Golden State was outscored 27-10, shot just 21.4% from the field, and went 1-of-10 from three.
They also committed six turnovers in the quarter, leading to seven Phoenix points. That stretch put them in a 14-point hole heading into the fourth.
Brandin Podziemski exited early with an illness after a quiet 12-minute stint. He went scoreless on three attempts but did manage three rebounds and an assist before checking out.
Game 3: 105-99 Loss to the Lakers - Hot Start, Cold Finish
What Worked
Golden State came out with the same defensive intensity they showed in Phoenix. They forced 13 first-half turnovers and held the Lakers to just 41 points by halftime. That kind of defensive pressure has been a key indicator of success for this team all season.
The Warriors dominated the turnover battle, forcing 22 while only giving up 12 themselves. They turned those extra possessions into 25 points - a crucial edge.
Moses Moody continued his breakout campaign with 25 points - his eighth 20-point game this season, already doubling last year’s total. When Moody gets going, the Warriors are typically in good shape. This was just the second time they’ve lost when he’s hit the 20-point mark.
Gui Santos kept up his strong stretch as well, adding 15 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. Over his last six games, Santos is averaging 14.8 points on 61.4% shooting and 44.4% from deep. The Brazilian forward is carving out a real role for himself.
What Didn’t
The three-point avalanche that buried Phoenix didn’t carry over. Golden State went just 5-of-27 from deep in the first half and finished 14-of-51 overall. They salvaged some of that with a late flurry - six threes in the fourth - but the damage was done.
Defensively, things fell apart after halftime. The Lakers exploded for 38 points in the third quarter alone - nearly matching their entire first-half output. A 17-5 run that started late in the second quarter and bled into the third broke the game open, and the Warriors couldn’t recover.
Looking Ahead
Two more games stand between the Warriors and the All-Star break, and both are expected to be played without Curry or Porzingis. That means more of the same formula: defend like mad, shoot a ton of threes, and hope the bench continues to punch above its weight.
Next up is a Memphis team that’s clearly pivoted into rebuild mode after trading Jaren Jackson Jr. Then it’s the Spurs, who have already felt the full wrath of Curry twice this season - 46 and 49 points in those games, respectively. Without him, Golden State will need to find new ways to generate offense.
The margin for error is razor-thin right now. But if the Warriors can keep defending like they did against Phoenix and get just enough shot-making from their role players, they’ve got a fighting chance to stay afloat until reinforcements arrive.