If you have a shrine constructed to pray for the health of Stephen Curry‘s ankles, now is the time to worship.
While Curry was held out of Sunday evening’s game against the Pacers with a sore right foot, Golden State Warriors fans got a sobering glimpse of what this team would be without its All-Star point guard at the helm, and it was not pretty.
Things seemed ok in the first quarter — everyone was hitting shots and the Warriors dropped a 38 spot on the Pacers. And then the ball movement, the shot making, and the good basketball went out the window.
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Klay Thompson did his best Kobe Bryant impression (39 points on 12-28 shooting with 10 made FTs), but the Warriors desperately needed someone else to step up, and no one did. Simply put, no one else in a Warriors jersey could score. Combined with the Pacers shooting 48% for the game and Rodney Stuckey scoring 30 off the bench, and it all added up to the tenth loss of the season for Golden State.
Without Curry on the court last night, ball movement and spacing was just not the same for the best offense in the league. Instead of making the extra pass, the Warriors got stuck in isolation situations and were forcing tough shots. Shaun Livingston is obviously a different point guard than Curry, but the offense was really dragging under his leadership on the court.
Feb 22, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) guards Indiana Pacers forward David West (21) during the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Last night was a perfect opportunity for Harrison Barnes, Leandro Barbosa, or Draymond Green to really step up as a second scorer next to Thompson, but none were up for the task. Barnes in particular had a rough performance, shooting 3-11 and finishing at with a plus-minus of -15. Barbosa and Green both shot poorly as well.
The Warriors, of course, can’t win every game. Even with a healthy Curry, they have lost games and with the way the Pacers shot the ball and defended last night, it could have been a loss even if No. 30 was on the court. But as mentioned, last night was an opportunity. An opportunity for a bench player — or really anyone else besides Klay — to answer the call and be a go-to scorer. No one did it.
It’s impossible to replicate the play=making and fluidity of this offense under the guidance of Curry, but there will be nights when he is off or needs rest or is in foul trouble. And the Warriors need to be able to overcome that and retain some of their offensive identity. Curry or not, they still must move the ball and find the open man.
If last night was a pop quiz, the Warriors failed. Back to the books.