Stephen Curry poured in 38 points and hit nine three-pointers, yet the Golden State Warriors still lost — 127-123 — to the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night at Chase Center in San Francisco. It wasn’t just a loss. It was their first home defeat of the season, and their third straight overall. Curry shot 9-of-17 from deep. He was brilliant. The team? Not even close. And that’s the brutal truth haunting the Warriors right now.
Curry’s Masterclass, Team’s Meltdown
Wardell Stephen Curry II, 37, did everything you could ask for. He pulled up from logo range. He danced through double teams. He hit threes with defenders’ hands in his face. He even drew a foul on a transition three that he calmly sank. His performance was vintage Curry — the kind that makes you forget the clock, forget the score, forget everything but the shot. But basketball isn’t played by one man. Not even one as transcendent as him. The Portland Trail Blazers didn’t win because of Damian Lillard. He sat out with a hamstring issue. They won because of Caleb Love, the 23-year-old guard off the bench who dropped 26 points, grabbed seven rebounds, dished five assists, and nailed six threes. NBC Sports Bay Area called it the “Caleb Love game.” And honestly? That’s fair. Love didn’t just show up. He announced himself.Defensive Breakdowns Cost Warriors
Steve Kerr, the Warriors’ head coach and CEO, didn’t mince words after the game. “What hurt us really was the second chance stuff,” he said, his voice heavy with frustration. The Warriors gave up 19 second-chance points — 11 of them from offensive rebounds. They’re 22nd in the NBA in rebounding. That’s not a typo. That’s a crisis. Curry put it bluntly: “Feel like you played well enough to win, but had nothing to show for it. And just some untimely defensive breakdowns that led to some open threes down the stretch.” He’s right. Portland hit 18 threes total. Five of them came on wide-open looks after Warriors defenders got lost in screens or failed to rotate. In the final three minutes, with the game tied at 120, the Warriors allowed three straight three-pointers — all on lazy closeouts.
Rebounding Woes and Lineup Questions
Kerr admitted the roster might need tweaking. “We may have to shift the combinations a little bit,” he said. The Warriors’ frontcourt — featuring Draymond Green (34), Kevon Looney (26), and the inconsistent Jonathan Kuminga (21) — is simply not getting it done on the glass. Looney, once a defensive anchor, is averaging just 7.1 rebounds per game this season, down from 10.3 last year. Green, still brilliant defensively, is now playing 30 minutes a night and looks drained. The team’s next practice is scheduled for Sunday, November 23, 2025. Kerr plans to run two more sessions this week. “We’ll watch the film,” he said. “See if we need to make changes.” That’s code for: we might bench someone. Maybe Kuminga. Maybe even Andrew Wiggins, who played just 18 minutes and scored 4 points.A Franchise at a Crossroads
The Golden State Warriors are worth $7 billion. They’ve won four titles since 2015. But this season feels different. The offense still clicks — they’re top five in three-point percentage. But defense? It’s a mess. They’ve lost three straight. They’re 9-9. And the schedule doesn’t get easier. Five straight home games begin with this loss. The next opponent? The Oklahoma City Thunder — a young, athletic team that thrives in transition. Curry, ever the realist, summed it up: “We’ve had some bright spots. Some games we showed we could play 48 minutes. And we’ve had some duds.” The problem? The duds are coming too often. And when your best player is doing everything humanly possible, the rest of the team has to carry the weight. Right now, they’re not.
What’s Next for the Warriors?
The NBA Cup is just a midseason tournament — no playoff implications. But the Warriors can’t afford to treat it like a glorified scrimmage. Every game matters now. They need to fix rebounding. They need to stop giving up open threes. They need to find a way to play together for 48 minutes — not just 20. Kerr’s message to the team? “Perfect basketball.” That’s not a slogan. It’s a demand. Because with Curry still playing at this level, the Warriors don’t need to rebuild. They just need to remember how to defend.Frequently Asked Questions
How did Caleb Love impact the game despite being a bench player?
Caleb Love, 23, came off the bench for the Portland Trail Blazers and delivered a career-defining performance: 26 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 6 three-pointers. His energy and shooting stretched the Warriors’ defense, forcing rotations that opened lanes for teammates. His six threes were the most by a Blazers bench player in a single game since 2021, and his efficiency (6-of-9 from deep) was the key reason Portland outscored Golden State by 14 points in the second half.
Why is rebounding such a critical issue for the Warriors?
The Warriors rank 22nd in the NBA in total rebounds per game, allowing opponents 12.1 offensive boards — the 10th most in the league. This leads directly to second-chance points, which cost them 19 against Portland. With Draymond Green aging and Kevon Looney inconsistent, the team lacks a reliable interior presence. Without fixing this, even elite shooting won’t be enough to win close games.
What does Steve Kerr plan to do about the team’s defensive struggles?
Kerr announced practice sessions beginning November 23, 2025, with film review and defensive drills as the focus. He hinted at lineup changes, possibly reducing minutes for underperforming players like Andrew Wiggins or increasing playing time for younger wings like Brandin Podziemski. He emphasized the need for “perfect basketball” — meaning no lapses, no lazy rotations, no open threes.
Is Stephen Curry’s performance sustainable at age 37?
Yes — but only if the team around him improves. Curry is averaging 28.4 points and 6.1 assists this season, shooting 41% from three. He’s playing 33 minutes per game, his highest since 2020. His efficiency remains elite, but the physical toll is visible. Without better rebounding and perimeter defense, his heroics will keep being wasted — and that’s not sustainable for a title-contending team.
How does this loss affect the Warriors’ playoff chances?
At 9-9, the Warriors are barely above .500 and sit 9th in the Western Conference. The top 8 make the playoffs. With the Lakers, Nuggets, and Suns all ahead, and the Thunder and Kings closing in, every loss hurts. They need to win at least 7 of their next 10 games to stay in contention. Their five-game home stand is their best chance — but only if they fix their defense.
What’s the significance of the Emirates NBA Cup for the Warriors?
While the NBA Cup doesn’t impact playoff seeding, it’s a critical barometer for team chemistry and defensive execution. The Warriors lost their first group-stage game and now face elimination if they lose one more. More importantly, it’s a chance to build momentum before the real season heats up. A loss like this — at home, to a team without their star — raises serious questions about their mental toughness.
