The Golden State Warriors were on a roll. They seemed focused, attentive, and able to fix the woes that plagued the team prior. Thanks to the addition of Jimmy Butler III, they rose from 11th in the Western Conference to the sixth seed. On a seven-game winning streak, the Warriors were 14-1 heading into the game against the Denver Nuggets.
Everything came to a screeching halt, with Golden State losing 114-105 to the Nuggets. Aaron Gordon had a season-high 38 points, Michael Porter chipped in 21, and Russell Westbrook finished with a triple-double.
Steve Kerr Calls The Golden State Warriors Stars Out After Loss
Warriors fans were divided when the Nuggets announced that Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, and Christian Braun would miss the game. Some fans were adamant that their team could get an easy win to rest up for the second half of an insane back-to-back against the Bucks.
Other fans were less than thrilled, as they understood the “trap game” and how teams can fall victim to it. Without the opposing team’s stars on the floor, sometimes a team can become too lackadaisical, leading them to be upset by the undermanned team they face.
The Warriors’ loss felt even worse when you consider that they were fighting to maintain their position in the West. While this back-to-back was expected to be a tough showing for the team, this was a game that they needed to win.
The Warriors looked exhausted during this loss, but their head coach didn’t have any sympathy for them after the game. Steve Kerr spoke after the game and seemed very disappointed with his team’s effort. He summed it up with a very simple explanation of the loss.
Steve Kerr on Warriors' loss to the shorthanded Nuggets: "The right team won. We didn't deserve that. We were awful."
— Dalton Johnson (@DaltonJ_Johnson) March 18, 2025
“The right team won. We didn’t deserve that. We were awful.”
The Warriors couldn’t hit shots against the Nuggets’ defense, but Kerr himself made some confusing choices. Quinten Post did not get much playing time, which was a questionable decision, considering Denver was without their starting center. Aaron Gordon played at the five for a lot of the game, which could have been an advantage for the Warriors.
The Warriors didn’t take advantage of the situation with the Nuggets. Now, they need a win against the Bucks to remain in the sixth seed. Can the Warriors do it?
Will The Warriors Get Back To Their Winning Ways
Despite the loss to the Nuggets, the Warriors have a lot to be excited about going forward. They are 14-2 with Butler in the lineup and now can win the minutes when Curry is not on the floor.
The wins they accumulated against teams like the Knicks, the Magic, and the Pistons showcase their ability to win against tough teams. The Bucks present a tough challenge, but we’ve seen the Warriors bounce back in a major way. Can they do it tonight?