Warriors embarrassed at home, outscored by 20 in 4th

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 16: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors looks on as he walks back down court against the Denver Nuggets during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on February 16, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 16: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors looks on as he walks back down court against the Denver Nuggets during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on February 16, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors shouldn’t worry about anything for either the short or long-term future, but they were embarrassed by the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night, nursing a 14-point lead doing into the final period.

That’s not going to sit well in the morning.

The Golden State Warriors lost their 7th home game of the season, but it was one that stung as the Dubs gave up a massive second-half lead.

The Dubs were without five-time All-Star guard Klay Thompson and four-time All-Star forward Draymond Green along with still having yet to see 2020 No. 2 overall pick James Wiseman take the court this season.

So, not playing at their true ceiling was allowed, but the breakdown they had should send a ripple through the franchise. The Warriors ended up succumbing to the Luka Doncic-led side despite having a 19-point lead at one point in the game.

It was more so the struggling Warriors offense that did them in. Only 2 players scored over 15 points for Dallas and only Doncic went for more than 30. However, the Warriors, who scored 37 in the first and 28 in the third, put up a mere 13 in the fourth.

The Warriors didn’t score for almost a 4-point stretch in the fourth. Damion Lee put them up 19 with 9:59 left and Andrew Wiggins put a halt to the Mavs 16 straight points at the 6:14 mark. The Warriors didn’t score again till the 1:30 mark.

Golden State scored 3 points in 8 and a half minutes in the fourth, and that’s what must change.

Two-time MVP Stephen Curry even played the first 6 and a half minutes of the quarter. Curry ended with a team-high 27 points. Wiggins had 18 and Gary Payton II had 13. Those three were the only Warriors in double figures.

Golden State needed more from Otto Porter Jr. and Nemanja Bjelica, especially down the stretch. It’s obvious that there are some things to work on for Golden State, but it’s still a championship-or-bust season. At full strength, they can compete and beat anyone.

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This is just a late-February regular-season game, but that doesn’t mean it won’t sting any less. Just 1.5 games up on Memphis for the second spot in the Western Conference rankings, the Warriors need to figure it out and soon.