Stephen Curry Bluntly Comments After Embarrassing Loss to Sacramento Kings
The Golden State Warriors’ season took a hit after a shocking 129-99 loss to the Sacramento Kings. Despite going into the game as heavy favorites, the Warriors suffered one of their worst defeats of the season on their home court, falling by 30 points to a Kings team that was missing star point guard De’Aaron Fox.
Warriors’ Struggles on Their Home Court
From the outset, it was evident that the Warriors were outmatched. The Kings stormed out to a 39-point lead, leaving the Warriors trailing by 15 points by the end of the first quarter. Although Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 26 points on 8-12 shooting, his efforts weren’t enough to spark a comeback. Notably, it was his first game since March 2018 without recording an assist.
Curry Reflects on Warriors’ Shortcomings
In his post-game remarks, Curry provided a blunt assessment of the game and the team’s struggle to make comebacks:
“When you’re looking up and it’s a double-digit lead before the first timeout and 36-21, we’re not really built for it to have that crazy comeback.”
— Stephen Curry
Turnovers and Lack of Defensive Focus
The defeat was further compounded by the 22 turnovers committed by the Warriors, giving the Kings ample opportunities to exploit their transition game. Head coach Steve Kerr was left at a loss for words, while Curry took the responsibility to address the team’s limitations. The loss not only shook the Warriors’ players but also left DubNation in disbelief, as many had expected a much stronger performance, especially without Fox in the Kings’ lineup.
Challenges With Kuminga’s Injury
Curry’s frustration could be attributed to the ongoing injury to Jonathan Kuminga, who had been a crucial scorer for the Warriors before his sidelining. The team is now 18-17 for the season and is struggling to find consistent scoring options beyond Curry. Without a reliable second scorer and with a hampered offense, the Warriors have been unable to overcome deficits like the one faced against the Kings.
Malik Monk Shines in Fox’s Absence
With De’Aaron Fox out, it was Malik Monk who stepped up for the Kings, guiding them to a blowout victory with 26 points and 12 assists. Monk’s performance was even more impressive given his plus-minus of +41, indicating how dominant he was against the Warriors’ defense. His leadership on both ends of the floor proved vital for the Kings, with teammate DeMar DeRozan praising his performance:
“He was real big. Especially without Foxy. Him coming out, being the point guard, handling the ball for us. He was the spark for us tonight.”
— DeMar DeRozan
What’s Next for the Warriors?
The loss raised serious questions for the Warriors moving forward. With their defensive lapses and ongoing struggles to support Curry’s offensive efforts, the team has their work cut out to stay competitive in a challenging Western Conference. How the Warriors respond, especially in Kuminga’s absence, will determine their fate as the season progresses.
Here’s Steph Curry on the 30-point loss to the Kings. He mentions that the Warriors “aren’t built” to be a team that can come backfrom large deficits. pic.twitter.com/1upptoaCxs
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 6, 2025
