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Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr looks at the San Antonio Spurs.
Steve Kerr made some significant changes to the Warriors of the Golden State‘ starting eleven following Stephen CurryThe injury backfired, leading to a disastrous 126-113 loss on Saturday, March 9 against the Western Conference-worst San Antonio Spurs, who were without their 2 best players.
“My main motivation for the starting lineup was to get off to a good defensive start” Kerr told reporters after the shocking defeat that propelled them to 10th place in the West with 19 games remaining. “I
I wanted to set the tone with a very good defensive formation. See how we could score.
The starting lineup Chris Paulthe recruits Brandin Podziemski And Tracey Jackson-Davis, Green Draymond And Jonathan Kuminga looked good defensively, limiting the Spurs to just nine points in the first five minutes of the game.
But on the offensive end, they looked ill-adjusted, with no spacing, as they also bled for just nine points.
Jonathan Kuminga’s difficulties in the first half
With no shooters to create space and no ball movement, Kuminga, their best downhill attacker, struggled to just four points on 2-of-6 shooting in the first half.
Their stagnant offense finally caught up with their defense as the Spurs, 29th ranked 3-point shooting teamcaught fire.
“Our defense was good, but as the game went on we had several breakdowns,” Kerr said. “They came to the edge at will.”
Without generational recruit Victor Wembanyama and second-leading scorer Devin Vassell, the Spurs drove to the basket and kicked out their teammates, leading to a 17 of 33 from the 3-point zone.
“It was tough for us defensively,” Kerr said. “We just never got any traction. I didn’t feel like we had confidence or energy. Their appearance and movements bothered us. And then we had a few breakdowns. It just felt like we were never really in the game.”
Steve Kerr’s 2nd half adjustment
After the Spurs took a 62-43 halftime lead, Kerr went back to the drawing board.
“We’re playing teams that haven’t played together a lot,” Kerr said. “And with Steph, it changes things dramatically for us in terms of what he provides, not only with shooting, but with spacing and gravity that draws the defense. There aren’t as many lanes traffic, it’s safe, so it’s different.
In the second half, Kerr tried to imitate this with Klay Thompson as a floor spacer.
Thompson started the third quarter, with his serious shooting leading the way for Kuminga. Thompson scored 27 points off the bench while Kuminga scored 22 of his 26 points in the second half.
But Kerr’s adjustment came a little too late as the Spurs already had the momentum. They had an answer for every Warriors comeback attempt.
“[In] In the second half we tried to do our best to get back into the game. Kuminga told reporters after the loss. “It was a little late.”
Kerr is likely to start Thompson alongside Kuminga when they face the Spurs again on Monday, March 11 in San Antonio to avoid another scoring drought.
Steph Curry Injury Update
Curry’s MRI showed no structural damage, which is good news for the Warriors, who are now 3.5 games back of the sixth seed in the West with 19 games remaining.
“I would say it’s a good result. The MRI was clear, he feels better today. Kerr said. “So overall I would say it’s positive.”
Curry is expected to be re-evaluated on Tuesday March 12.
Alder Almo is a basketball reporter who covers the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors for Heavy. He has over 15 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is originally from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. Learn more about Alder Almo
