Curry Drops 48, but the Warriors Collapse: “Something Isn’t Working”
Not even a historic night from Curry saves the Warriors in Portland. Kerr takes responsibility after yet another close loss
Stephen Curry can catch fire like few players in NBA history, but not even one of his most scorching performances was enough to save the Golden State Warriors in Portland. At the Moda Center, the Trail Blazers prevailed 136-131, a loss that stings above all because of how it unfolded.
No. 30 poured in 48 points on an unreal 12-of-19 shooting from beyond the arc, once again confirming himself as the greatest shooter of all time. Still, the Warriors head home empty-handed and fall to 13-14 on the season, with a concerning 6-10 record away from San Francisco.
I hope we can finally find some continuity, with a stretch of games where it’s clear who’s on the floor and what the rotations are, so guys can build confidence and feel comfortable.
Stephen Curry
Late in the game, Golden State appeared to be in control. Curry buried his 12th three of the night with 1:26 remaining, giving the Warriors a 129-127 lead. From there, however, the game flipped: Portland ramped up the aggression, and Jerami Grant stayed calm at the free-throw line to seal the outcome.
After the final buzzer, Steve Kerr didn’t shy away from the issue. The Warriors’ head coach broke down the loss with refreshing honesty, pointing above all to late-game execution.
It was a great game, very intense. But we’re not closing games. We’re 5-9 in close games, and it’s clear that something isn’t working.
Steve Kerr
The theme came up repeatedly in Kerr’s comments, as he also took a significant share of the blame himself:
We have to do a better job of connecting the different phases of the game. That’s my job, and this year I’m not doing it well.
Steve Kerr
According to Kerr, one of the most critical issues remains defensive transition, especially after missed shots. Portland took full advantage, consistently attacking a defense that was too slow getting back.
Despite solid offensive support – six other players scoring in double figures – Golden State couldn’t find the stability needed to win tight games. The numbers tell the story: 4 wins in their last 10 games, a trend that speaks louder than any individual performance.
For Curry, in just his second game back after missing time with a left quadriceps contusion, there was still another milestone: his 28th career game with at least 10 three-pointers, extending an NBA record he already owned.
Now, though, the Warriors have to turn the page quickly. On the horizon is a matchup with the Phoenix Suns, another litmus test to see whether Kerr’s words can translate into tangible adjustments on the court.