2 reasons the Warriors should panic (and 1 reason they shouldn’t)

Mar 5, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) walks back to the locker room after a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. The Lakers won 124-116. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) walks back to the locker room after a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. The Lakers won 124-116. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Reasons the Warriors should be panicking

Inefficiencies

Sure, Green is a key distributor, leading the team in assists, and hasn’t been in the lineup, but the Warriors’ issues stem far greater than just one player.

It ranges from two-time MVP Stephen Curry to Klay Thompson to Otto Porter Jr. and even to Andrew Wiggins. Many of these players have struggled over the last few weeks, and the rhythm just isn’t there.

Prior to their game against the Clippers, the Warriors had also given up over 120 points in each of their last 4 games.

Green’s importance defensively can not be understated, but there’s no reason the Dubs dropped from first on the season in defensive efficiency to 16th in the month of February. Their shooting and defending just haven’t been at an acceptable level and that should be concerning.

Drop in standings

The Warriors dropped to the third seed in the Western Conference. Gaining that traction back without Green over the next week won’t be easy.

Even with Green back in the lineup, chasing a surging Grizzlies is easier said than done. Golden State has the second-best home record in the NBA, and having that second-round playoff series being guaranteed to have home-court advantage is highly important.