Warriors Fall to Suns After Controversial Foul Call with 0.4 Seconds Left
The Golden State Warriors can’t seem to catch a break - and Thursday night’s gut-punch loss to the Phoenix Suns only deepened the frustration. A game that saw flashes of promise ended in heartbreak, as a whistle with just 0.4 seconds on the clock proved to be the difference.
Turnovers, Cold Shooting, and a Familiar Script
Despite having ample rest leading into the matchup, the Warriors once again found themselves battling the same demons: turnovers and poor shooting. Golden State coughed up the ball 20 times and shot just 39.3% from the field, including a chilly 28.6% from beyond the arc. That’s a tough formula to overcome, no matter how well you execute in other areas.
And yet, they nearly pulled it off.
Jimmy Butler led the charge with 31 points, providing the offensive spark the Warriors desperately needed. He attacked the rim, found his mid-range rhythm, and made key plays down the stretch. But when the team gives away 20 possessions and struggles to convert open looks, even a strong night from your star might not be enough.
A Wild Finish Ends in Controversy
The game was neck-and-neck in the closing minutes, with the Warriors clawing back from an eight-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Then came the chaos.
It started with Dillon Brooks - always a magnet for drama - being whistled for a Flagrant 1 after striking Stephen Curry in the stomach on a three-point attempt. Curry calmly knocked down both free throws, and on the ensuing possession, Butler drilled a three-pointer. Just like that, a five-point swing in two seconds tied the game and gave Golden State a jolt of momentum.
Devin Booker answered with a clutch mid-range jumper to put Phoenix back on top, but Curry returned to the line moments later, sinking two more free throws to even the score again.
With the game tied and time winding down, the Warriors forced Brooks into a tough three-point attempt. The shot missed badly - hitting the side of the backboard - but Suns guard Jordan Goodwin came flying in for the offensive rebound. That’s when the whistle blew.
Moses Moody was called for a foul with just 0.4 seconds left. Goodwin went to the line, missed the first, made the second, and just like that, the Warriors were headed back to the Bay with a 99-98 loss.
Kerr Frustrated with the Final Call
After the game, head coach Steve Kerr didn’t hide his frustration.
“Tonight, we executed really well,” Kerr said. “It’s hard to believe the game was decided on that call.
An airball that hits the side of the backboard - guys behind the bench told me Moses got all ball. Everybody is tangled up.
To me, it better be a foul to decide the game on a call like that.”
Kerr praised his team’s execution in the final minutes and felt they’d done enough to earn a shot in overtime. Instead, the final whistle left them stunned and searching for answers.
Momentum Slips Away in the Third Quarter
Earlier in the game, things looked promising. Golden State built a 14-point lead early in the third quarter and appeared to be in control.
But then the offense stalled - completely. The Warriors didn’t score for the final 4:42 of the third quarter and went another 1:13 into the fourth without a bucket.
The Suns capitalized, chipping away at the lead and eventually flipping the game on its head.
Phoenix took an eight-point lead of their own and looked poised to close it out comfortably, but the Warriors fought back, setting the stage for the dramatic (and controversial) finish.
What’s Next for the Warriors
With the loss, the Warriors fall two games below .500 for the first time this season and now trail the Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference standings. It’s another tough pill to swallow for a team that’s still trying to find its rhythm and identity.
They’ll get a quick chance at redemption, though. Golden State returns home to face the Suns again on Saturday at Chase Center. With emotions still running high and a three-game losing streak hanging over them, expect a fired-up Warriors squad looking to even the score - on the scoreboard and maybe in spirit.
The season may still have a long way to go, but if the Warriors want to climb out of this hole, it starts with cleaning up the turnovers, finding consistency in their shooting, and - fair or not - giving the officials fewer chances to decide the outcome.