It was a disappointing night for Dub Nation as the Warriors failed to earn a ticket to Las Vegas for the NBA Cup semi-finals. Steve Kerr and crew fell short of a point to the Rockets, marking their first loss to the Houston franchise since 2020, in what was a controversial ending to the contest.
With less than 90 seconds remaining in the game, Golden State had a six-point lead before things swung against them. Grabbing the rebound to Stephen Curry‘s missed three-pointer, Gary Payton II struggled to secure full possession, passing it to Jonathan Kuminga, but failed, courtesy of Jalen Green.
WARRIORS LOSE TO ROCKETS IN FINAL SECONDS AFTER A LOOSE BALL FOUL CALL
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— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 12, 2024
As the game ended in a wild fashion, the official’s foul call on Kuminga drew polarizing opinions, especially from Coach Kerr. Nonetheless, the Warriors do have a lot to reflect upon, considering their regular lapses during the fourth quarter of games.
Can the Warriors Bounce Back From the NBA Cup Elimination?
Critical Issues Plaguing the Roster
The loss against Houston serves as an alarm for Curry and Co. as we approach the Finals of the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup. Fourth-quarter struggles continue to be a matter of concern for the Warriors. In their 24 games so far, they’re 33.0% from the three-point line in the final quarter of games.
Free throw shooting in the fourth quarter has been another cause of concern for the Dubs, given their 68.4% efficiency in the last twelve minutes of the game. Another takeaway is high turnovers, as evident in the game against the Rockets, where they conceded 30 points off 22 turnovers. Though the roster boasts future Hall of Famers in Steph Curry and Draymond Green, they are well in the later stages of their careers. Lack of size continues to be an issue for the Warriors, something the front office needs to address, especially before the trade deadline.
The Warriors Have Shown Potential
Despite their unfortunate exit from the NBA Cup, the Warriors have surprised many with their performances this season. The likes of Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield have been fairly impressive, with the latter being a blessing, especially with Klay Thompson heading to the Dallas Mavericks.
Currently, 2nd in RPG and 5th in APG, Coach Kerr has ensured lack of girth isn’t an issue for the Dubs. Having a defensive rating of 107.3, the Warriors rank 4th in the league. While he did miss the crucial game against the Rockets, Andrew Wiggins has been looking in good shape this season.
Potential Ceiling for Coach Kerr and His Cast
Going into the season, many had written the Warriors off, especially with Klay gone. Nevertheless, the Bay Area franchise has shown promise, playing a mix of veterans and young talents. The team did have a solid start to the season but has been rather inconsistent lately.
In all likelihood, the Warriors should be able to make the playoffs. However, looking at how teams like the Grizzlies, Thunder, and Mavericks are picking up, a trip post the semi-finals seems a little far-fetched. But a solid trade could turn things around for Curry and Co., who are one piece away from contending for the Finals again.
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