In a night that showcased Stephen Curry’s unparalleled three-point wizardry, the Golden State Warriors still couldn’t secure the win, falling 136-131 to the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Curry erupted for a staggering 48 points, fueled by an incredible 12-of-19 shooting from beyond the arc, but it wasn’t enough to lift his team to victory. The loss drops the Warriors to 13-14 overall, with a dismal 6-10 record on the road.
The game was a thriller down to the wire. Curry’s 12th three-pointer of the night gave Golden State a 129-127 lead with just 1:26 remaining in the fourth quarter, electrifying the crowd and seemingly putting the Warriors in control. However, the resilient Trail Blazers fought back, and Jerami Grant iced the game with clutch free throws in the final moments.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr didn’t mince words in his postgame assessment, pointing to glaring defensive shortcomings and the team’s inability to close out tight contests. “It was a great game, it was a wild game. We’re just not closing out games. I think we’re 5-9 now in close games,” Kerr said in a video shared by San Francisco Chronicle’s Sam Gordon.
Kerr took personal responsibility for the struggles, admitting, “We’ve got to find a way to connect the game. That’s my job. I’m not doing my job well this year.” The 60-year-old coach highlighted their slow transitions back on defense after misses, which allowed Portland to capitalize with aggressive attacks. He gave credit to the Blazers for their relentless energy and execution.
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Despite Curry’s heroics, the Warriors had balanced scoring with six other players reaching double digits. Yet, the collective effort fell short, marking their sixth loss in the last 10 games (4-6). This performance underscores a deeper issue for a team that has historically thrived in high-pressure situations but now appears vulnerable.
For Curry, the 37-year-old superstar, this was only his second game back after missing five consecutive outings due to a left quadriceps contusion. He didn’t miss a beat, notching his 28th career game with at least 10 three-pointers—a league record that further cements his status as the greatest shooter in NBA history.
As the Warriors lick their wounds, it’s back to the drawing board for Kerr and company. They’ll look to regroup before facing the Phoenix Suns on Thursday, hoping to address their fatal flaw and turn the tide on a season that’s slipping away. The Dubs are in trouble, and time is running out to fix it.