The Golden State Warriors just wrapped up one of their most unpredictable weeks of the season - a stretch that featured a blowout loss, a feel-good offensive explosion, and a frustrating collapse against an Eastern Conference contender. Throw in a concerning injury to Stephen Curry, and it’s safe to say this team is still searching for consistency as we head into February.
Let’s break it all down, game by game.
Monday: Warriors 83, Timberwolves 108 - Short-Handed and Outmatched
Let’s be real: this one was over before it started. Golden State rolled into Minnesota without virtually its entire core - no Steph, no Draymond, no Kuminga, no Horford, no Melton, no Seth Curry, and no Jimmy Butler. That’s six key rotation players out, leaving Steve Kerr with just ten available bodies.
The result? A flat offensive performance and a 25-point loss that felt even worse.
What worked
There weren’t many positives, but two young players managed to carve out some bright spots. Will Richard showed off his defensive instincts with a season-high six steals, moving him to third among all rookies in total steals - a promising sign for a team that could use more perimeter defense.
Malevy Leons also made his NBA debut after grinding it out in Santa Cruz. In just nine minutes, he posted six points, five boards, an assist, and a steal - a solid first impression and a testament to the Warriors’ developmental pipeline.
What didn’t work
The offense never got off the bus. Golden State shot just 34.7% from the field and a brutal 23.1% from three, hitting only nine triples - their lowest total of the season.
Nobody shot over 50%, and the team coughed up 18 turnovers, leading to a disjointed, stagnant night offensively. They also managed just 21 assists, their second-lowest mark of the season.
Brandin Podziemski was thrust into a lead role, and the third-year guard struggled under the weight of it. He finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, and four assists on 4-of-13 shooting, but the three turnovers told the story of a player still adjusting to the demands of being a primary creator. It was a tough outing, but his effort and hustle never wavered.
Gui Santos was a silver lining, notching his first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. The Brazilian forward is starting to string together meaningful minutes - and that could be big for a team in need of frontcourt depth.
Wednesday: Warriors 140, Jazz 124 - Offense Unleashed
With most of their regulars back in the lineup, the Warriors looked like an entirely different team in Salt Lake City - and they played like it. Golden State poured in a season-high 140 points and dished out a season-best 39 assists in a game that showcased just how dangerous this offense can be when it’s humming.
What worked
Eight different players hit double figures, led by Curry’s 27. The Warriors caught fire from deep, drilling 23 threes on 54 attempts - a massive bounce-back after Monday’s cold spell. Nine different players hit from beyond the arc, turning the floor into a shooting gallery.
Moses Moody continued his hot streak with 26 points and five made threes. Since January 13, he ranks fifth in the league in total threes made (36), and his +26 in this game was a team-best. He’s carving out a real role as a two-way contributor.
Al Horford, starting at center for the second straight game, was a steadying force. He finished with nine points, five boards, eight assists, a steal, and three blocks in just 24 minutes.
Since Christmas, the Warriors are +10.8 per 100 possessions with Horford on the floor - third-best on the team. When he sits?
That number flips to -0.6. His veteran presence is quietly anchoring both ends.
What didn’t work
Golden State’s lone issue was ball security. The Warriors turned it over 20 times, giving up 23 points to Utah in the process.
Against better teams, that kind of sloppiness could be costly. But on this night, the offense was too good for it to matter.
Friday: Warriors 124, Pistons 131 - A Tale of Two Halves
The Warriors closed the week against the East-leading Pistons, and for a moment, it looked like they might steal one. But a disastrous first half - and a concerning injury to Stephen Curry - proved too much to overcome, despite a spirited fourth-quarter push.
What worked
Even without Curry down the stretch, the Warriors kept fighting. They outscored Detroit 29-23 in the fourth quarter and trimmed what was once a 20-point deficit to single digits late in the game. The offense remained balanced, with eight players in double figures and the bench contributing 51 points.
Gui Santos continued his strong week with 16 points, and over his last three games, he’s averaging 14.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.3 blocks. He’s emerging as a legitimate two-way contributor.
Buddy Hield sparked the offense in the fourth quarter, scoring all 10 of his points in the final frame - a reminder of how quickly he can heat up.
What didn’t work
The first half was a defensive disaster. Golden State gave up 77 points before halftime - a season-high - and allowed Detroit to shoot over 60% from the field.
The Pistons, who already lead the East in paint scoring, dominated the interior with 42 of their 60 paint points coming in the first half. Add in 25 fast-break points, and the Warriors were outscored 87-50 in the paint and transition combined.
Turnovers were again a problem. Golden State committed 18 of them, leading to 31 Pistons points. Detroit’s Ausar Thompson was a menace defensively, racking up a career-high six steals and making life miserable for Curry before the Warriors’ star exited with knee soreness in the third quarter.
What’s Next?
The Warriors now face a critical stretch as they try to steady the ship. They’ll host the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday - likely without Paul George - before hitting the road for matchups against the Suns and Lakers.
Stephen Curry’s status is up in the air for the Philly game, with his knee issue described as day-to-day. Jonathan Kuminga, who’s missed the last four games with a knee injury of his own, is questionable to return. Seth Curry (sciatica) is progressing but won’t be re-evaluated for another two weeks.
The Warriors have shown flashes of what they can be when healthy and connected. But until they find a way to string together consistent performances - especially on the defensive end - they’ll remain one of the league’s biggest question marks.