The Golden State Warriors came charging out of the gate, securing a stellar 4-1 start in October, but the team has since hit a significant patch of turbulence this November. Their recent schedule has been particularly bruising, featuring two decisive losses by margins exceeding 20 points against formidable opponents: the Denver Nuggets and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
While there is still plenty of basketball left in the season, a peculiar trend has emerged: Coach Steve Kerr appears to be employing an unusually deep rotation. No player on the roster is currently clocking over 30 minutes per game; the minutes leader is Jimmy Butler at 30.1, closely followed by Stephen Curry at 29.9. This intensive management of playing time is highly unconventional and seems to be preventing the team’s core from establishing the consistent rhythm needed to secure victories.
Stephen Curry’s First Flagrant Foul in the NBA
In last night’s crushing 126-102 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Warriors welcomed Stephen Curry back to the lineup after he missed three games (during which he notably appeared on a podcast with LeBron James). Curry’s impact was limited; he scored just 11 points in 20 minutes before the starters were pulled due to the overwhelming deficit, which swelled to 35 points by the start of the final quarter.
However, within that brief time, Curry marked a strange milestone in his storied career: his first-ever flagrant foul across nearly 1,200 total regular season and playoff contests. The four-time NBA champion and two-time MVP was assessed a Flagrant 1 after he stepped under Isaiah Joe as the Thunder guard attempted a three-pointer, causing a dangerous fall. To have played 17 seasons in high-stakes games without a single flagrant foul is a testament to his disciplined play, but the momentary lapse speaks volumes about the team’s mounting frustration.
Five Road Games Ahead for the Warriors
The immediate task for Curry and the Warriors is to swiftly move past this painful loss and refocus. The team is currently navigating a demanding six-game road trip, and their next two matchups offer no respite as they head to San Antonio to clash with Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs. These back-to-back games are crucial opportunities for the team to find stability, sharpen their rotation patterns, and build some desperately needed momentum before their return home. The path back to contention requires immediate action and a short memory.
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