Star guard Stephen Curry passed Tim Duncan in total career points on Friday, moving into 19th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list (Twitter link). However, that was one of the rare bright spots in an underwhelming showing from the Warriors, who were beaten 124-118 by the Kings in Sacramento to drop to 37-44 on the season.
In addition to losing to a lottery-bound team, Golden State also got an injury scare when Curry turned his right ankle in the first half of the game and limped off the court. But he was able to return to action and ended up playing 27 minutes, his highest total since returning from a knee injury that sidelined him for two months.
While the two-time MVP didn’t have a great night, scoring just 11 points on 3-of-8 shooting, head coach Steve Kerr said after the game that the ankle won’t be an issue going forward (Twitter video link via Anthony Slater of ESPN). According to Kerr, even though Golden State is locked into the No. 10 spot in the Western Conference standings entering the play-in tournament, Curry will play on Sunday vs. the Clippers. The veteran guard’s health is the team’s top concern, but getting him into a rhythm following a long injury layoff is important too, Kerr told reporters.
For his part, Curry said he’s hoping to play his “normal minutes” on Sunday, which could mean bumping him up to 32 or more, Slater notes (Twitter video link).
Here’s more on the Warriors:
- Curry started alongside Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos, Draymond Green, and Kristaps Porzingis on Friday vs. Sacramento. It was the first time this season that those five players started together, but Kerr sounded enthusiastic about using that starting five during next week’s play-in game(s), referring to it as “enticing” and noting that the lineup features a good amount of versatility, ball-handling, and shooting (Twitter link via Slater). Although Golden State lost on Friday, that group outscored the Kings by a score of 29-16 in just over eight minutes together and Podziemski scored a career-high 30 points.
- Warriors two-way guard LJ Cryer appeared to be in a lot of pain when he injured his right ankle during Thursday’s game vs. the Lakers and had to be helped off the court (Twitter video link via NBC Sports Bay Area). Fortunately, he seems to have avoided a serious injury. The team announced on Friday (via Twitter) that Cryer has been diagnosed with a mild ankle sprain and will be reevaluated in one week. He won’t be playoff-eligible on his two-way deal, so his season is almost certainly over, but his contract covers the 2026/27 season too.
- Warriors wing Moses Moody spoke to reporters on Friday for the first time since being diagnosed with a torn patellar tendon last month. According to Nick Friedell of The Athletic (Twitter link), Moody was in “good spirits” and expressed confidence about his ability to recover and return to his previous level of play. He has been in contact with Warriors broadcaster Kelenna Azubuike, who sustained the same injury during his own playing career.
This curse season will soon be over. Right now the defense is real bad. Without Moody and Butler there is only Green playing defense. Most warrior fans are just looking forward to the draft at this point.
Did anyone ask Draymond to comment after the game? Losing to a “tanking” team right before your big play in push?? Food for thought – since March 1st
Team A: 6-15
Team B: 8-12
“Tanking?! We talking bout tanking man.”
If you think the Warriors are tanking, they have been doing the worst job of it. They haven’t changed positions in a month or more. They haven’t been close to getting, at the very least, the #10 draft spot.
Giants, there was no way the Bulls or the Bucks would let the 9 or 10 draft pick slip through their fingers and give it to the Warriors.
Yes, Golden State has been locked into that 11th pick for a while now. They did a nice job of playing to lose the last few weeks.
They Had me worried for a little while, but behind the scenes, everyone knew what the plan was.
Like playing mostly G league players and 10 day contracts. The warriors were tanking. No reason not to tank knowing even if they did win the play in you get to play OKC that is fully healthy and deep.
Once Butler went down, they weren’t making the playoffs. I don’t there was anything the Warriors could do to get the #10 spot. I had faith in them. There schedules made it almost impossible for them to get there.
When Moody went down too there went their chance at getting through the play in. last few weeks the defense has been horrible. No way they can get past a good team with that defense.
My point was not that the Warriors are tanking. It was that Draymond sits in front of the camera and says the Kings need to be fined to the moon and back because they’re “tanking”. Yet by all metrics they have been better than the Warriors since the start of March. I’m well aware that the Warriors are not purposely losing games which makes losing to the Kings that much funnier.
warriors been playing not ready for the NBA players for over the last month. 3 2 way players, a 10 day player, and a player who got a roster spot because of injuries. Guess what nobody cares who won or lost the game. Just like I don’t care if they lose the play in. A tean goal is to win a championship beacuase nobody remembers what team didn’t make the playoffs.
I mean you just can’t make it up. Clearly you care Arc. You post about this team all day every day.
Let’s look at who the Kings had out there since apparently it wasn’t even fair competition (LMAFO) vs who the Warriors had. I’ll take out anyone who played less than 15 minutes because apparently those minutes are just warm up minutes and dont count or mean anything.
Precious Achiuwa
Daeqwon Plowden
Max Raynaud
Nique Clifford
Devin Carter
Dylan Cardwell
Killian Hayes
vs
Draymond Green
Gui Santos
Tingus Pingus
Steph Curry
Brandon Podziemski
De’Anthony Melton
Gary Payton II
Al Horford
Charles Bassey
Tell me more about how they’re running g leaguers boss. You have no idea what you’re saying. Just eat the criticism. You don’t have to make excuses.
let’s break it down. Cryer been playing 16 minutes a game. Williams 17 minutes a game. Leon 11 minutes a game and the 2 10 day contracts 15 minutes a game for the last 2 months. None of those players was on the team to start the year. That is a lot of minutes for guys not in the NBA to start the season. That is a lot of minutes for player who would not be playing if it wasn’t for injuries.
What’s interesting here Arc is you can say that about almost every Kings player I listed and the Warriors that you decided to mention didn’t see real minutes by your own metric.
Keep digging the hole.
You seem to want to just argue about nothing.
You seem to fein ignorance whenever it is most convenient for you. You’re trying to make arguments that you don’t believe for no other reason than needing to be a homer whenever someone points out the obvious about your precious franchise. Sorry not sorry.
Silver it’s time to revisit Draymonds comments toward Sacramento while fresh. Oh the irony.
Its called testing out lineups in a game that has 0 meaning to win. Just be glad Green motivated Kings to win by playing their staters all game long while warriors played their starters just warm up minutes.
Played their starters???? THE KINGS PLAYED THEIR STARTERS?! Give me a f’ing break dude. Warriors aren’t the only team who’s lost all their guys this year. All damn year it changes. Its the schedule, the back to backs, the national games, Kuminga’s vibes, Stephs knee, Moody, Tingus still being a part time player. You always have an excuse. It’s so pathetic.
Steph played more minutes than he has since he returned but it’s just warm up minutes. Where is Davey with all his /- magic? LMAO I couldn’t be happier seeing you guys fail to cope with the dynasty ending how it has. You deserve every ounce of this
Look at minutes played by those who started the game? 4 players played over 35 minutes when only Pods played over 30 minutes. Christie wanted this game to prove he wasn’t tanking. Kerr was testing out lineups. If Green said nothing would have Christie played his players so many minutes? NO Christie would care less if he won or lost. You should be thanking Green for motivating your team.
Testing lineups for what? You’re sitting here saying that they don’t care about the play in and want the higher pick so trying out new lineups FOR WHAT PURPOSE? To find a squad that is better at losing because the Warriors have had so much trouble figuring that out?
What I should actually be thanking Draymond for is prolonging the misery of the Warriors fanbase. I cannot wait for him to sign his extension. I have a bottle of bubbly saved and everything.
i am surprised you are telling me that the warriors can win a championship with this team. That I did not see coming. They are already in the 11th position in the draft and can’t move up or down.
Funny how you thought that was a normal lineup out there for the warriors. That shows you never watch the warriors.
Not to get in the middle of the conversation you two are having but the Warriors CAN move up or down.
If they get the right ping-pong balls, they can move up to the first four. NOT likely.
And then the few teams behind the Warriors at 12, 13, 14, they can move ahead of the Warriors into the top four which would push Golden State down. Not likely but could happen.
I am not expecting much move up this draft because last draft it was made to look like the Mavs bought off to move up in the draft. Looking at the draft if they could flip their pick for 2 picks would be a good move.
It’s like talking to a wall. What was the lineup if they were trying to win? Educate me.
Stop faking it. Again you just want to argue over nothing.
Not arguing. Simply asking you for the lineup they would have played if they wanted to win that game because you’re saying the only reason the guys who played last night saw the court is because the Warriors wanted to lose.
So I’ll ask again. What does the lineup look like if the Warriors were attempting to beat the Kings last night? Seems like a straight forward question to me.
1st stop making up things in your mind. I said the warriors didn’t care about winning the game but testing out new lineups. I never said the only reason they played some of them was to lose. As will smith says keep your words out of my mouth.
Easy Curry, Green, Harford, KP, and Melton closing out the game.
BBQ CHICKEN ALERT 🚨
Why did Curry only put up 8 shots in 27 minutes though?
The less Podz and Pat play, the better chance of winning.
Good to see LJ Cryer will play next year, he is the next Jordan Poole.
Curry Gui Dray KP Al is the best lineup
Spencer didn’t play a lot of minutes so does that mean Kerr is over his bad defense. I wish they played Richards more but his back might have been bothering him. My thoughts are the warriors trade a future 1st round pick protected 1 to 14 to OKC for their 16th pick in this year’s draft? OKC might be willing since lack of open spots on next year’s roster.
Next years draft is even better than this one, I wouldnt trade a 2027 pick.
I am talking 2029 draft pick. OKC already has $250 million spent way over the cap space. With a few good players needing to be extended. They have 3 picks this year and already a deep 15 man roster. they will be dealing at least one or 2 of those picks.
You aren’t wrong, the Thunder will more likely be trading their picks, as they simply don’t have room. I doubt they would move veterans (aside from I-Hart, who they won’t be able to afford) but they may go to the draft and make the picks and then trade them or an active roster player after they see who they have, the Thunder has a lot of routes this offseason.
Perhaps the warriors could trade back. Two for one.
You wonder where Davey comes up with these lineups. Neither Draymond or Horford is a small forward. Why does he want Cryer to become Poole? Poole is gathering dust in New Orleans.
I do see Cryer as a great outside shooter like Poole. The question on him can he play enough defense to be more than a 3 point shooter off the bench. I am having second thoughts on signing KP unless it comes at a discount price. His defense switching has not been good.
That’s a very interesting suggestion, arc, and OKC just might go for it because they’ve been showing interest in picking up FRP’s in 2031 and beyond. If you changed from top 14 protected to top 6 protected, I bet they’d do it.
Davey has been complaining for years that Podz can’t score 30 btw. As soon as he does he wants him in the electric chair even though “the Warriors weren’t trying to win that game”
Words cannot describe the distain I have for this group.
“The Wagoneers”
It’s like the opposite of bandwagoning though. Everyone else has gotten OFF the wagon. The wagon doesn’t exist. And yet these guys are constantly telling anyone who will listen that actually the wagon is in great shape and if it just had a little more oil for its squeaky wheel it would be the best wagon that anyone has ever laid eyes on.
I just cannot stand delusional homerism. Can you imagine if I sat here every day and said “Hey guys watch out for the Kings!! Sure they’re playing poorly because the roster doesn’t make sense but I’m telling you they’ve got a deal lined up for Giannis and then it’s GAME OVER for the rest of the league”
And on, and on, and on, and on for YEARS. And their reward is a Warriors piece every 24-36 hours. It’s gross.
Like blind love. They follow the Warriors anywhere.
Time cones for everyone lol.
That is rather ironic coming from the guy who has a perpetual hard on with the thought of seeing Raynaud in a Warriors uniform. You can’t stop talking about him wearing a Warriors uniform. What is it you like about French boys.
🤫🤫🤡🤫🤫🤡🤫🤫🤡🤫🤫🤡
@daveyj, I would love it if Cryer could be as good as Poole. I’m a fan.
I’m not optimistic he’ll make the team next season, though, because the odds are so high that GSW picks a PG with the 11th pick. I believe they have their eye on 2-3 guys who could be a franchise PG. If Fleming, Philon, or Mikel Brown are available, I bet the Warriors jump.
I expect to see Steph, Podz, and the draft pick hold down the PG. Spencer and, if he returns, Melton, make 5 players ahead of Cryer.
Cryer > Spencer
Agree, but Kerr loves Spencer.
Imagine this starting lineup in playoffs ——-
Podz, Curry, KP, Raynaud, Green ……
Why?
I’d rather have playoffs Al Horford right here right now though, Raynaud has played zero meaningful games so far in his career, he is on a 20 win team.
It’s so disgusting how Moody had finally proven once and for all he was a better overall player (scorer and defense) and a much better system fit than Podz. Podz was getting less minutes, and GSW were winning. Moody at SG next to Curry was a perfect fit. Then, the worst possible outcome for Moody. Then on come the losses. Podz getting 20+ mins cant beat a playoff team.
Oh boy. Light the beam. In all seriousness, Warriors need to be punished for tanking.
Fined or drop way back in the draft for this crap. Lols.
Wait until you watch the game against the Clippers Wednesday night. You want to see tanking? You’ll see tanking.
It’s more the Draymond angle. Every time he opens his word hole, it bites him on the backside. I suggest extending that guy only if you have a trade 100% done.
Agreed. Many of us have been done with him for several years.
Gary I hope you know I exclude you from my generalizations and meltdowns lol. Respect as always brotha!
Yes bro, you mentioned that a few years ago, and it’s all good !!
Heck, I agree with you in much of that stuff !!
Gary, not arguing with you, but if they tank on Wednesday, for which the only valid reason is to optimize their draft position, then doesn’t that mean they tank all of next 2026-27 also?
After all, they’re locked into the same crappy roster next season:
– Butler and Moody paid to sit out,
– Steph, Draymond, Podz, Gui
– and, if they’re lucky, DNKP and Melton
IMHO, take Wednesday night as an indication of what they do next season.
That’s a great question Ari, but I think the Curry factor says they don’t.
Dunleavy has his hands full with putting together a championship roster this summer.
I don’t think they tank next year with Curry. They do the best they can to put the best team on the floor. Perhaps even trading future draft picks?
Ari, Porzingis is gone. Someone will pay him. DeAnthony Melton is gone, someone will pay him.
The Warriors have their work cut out for them in building a roster this next off-season.
But they have a lot of resources. First round pics, couple nice young guys, and maybe there’s guys like Horford who want to come and try to win a ring if they see promise in the roster?
I trust Dunleavy to get it done. I think the vibe with the Warriors and their locker room and staff give it a chance.
Gary,
The art of running an NBA franchise is in knowing how to play the cycle. GSW is now in the downward part of that cycle. The fall can be slowed, but it can’t be reversed.
The cardinal sin is to give away your future assets to slow the fall. That’s how you make your franchise irrelevant for 10 years.
The Warriors aren’t giving away future draft picks for anything less than a superstar. Getting Giannis a few months ago was their last shot, and they didn’t come close.
IMO, GSW will be trying to acquire high draft picks anyway they can through the end of 2026-27.
Wow. Someone has some issues with Draymond. You don’t like it when they mess with the Massa.
Someone said Curry was going to go for 50 against the Kings. How did that turn out lol.
Stick a fork in them they are done. Even if Butler comes back, this team is still mid at best. Curry can no longer save this team.
Why would curry go for 50 vs the Kings?
He’s just trying to get a little run in an NBA game?
Just a little full court because it’s six months between January 30 and October 16. Five games now means a lot.
It’s a run but 50? Don’t be ridiculous. It’s not the Kobe game before Retirement. And then that game didn’t Shaq dare him to get 50? So he went and put a 60 on the board? This is not the same scenario here. Maybe two years from tonight?