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Have Golden State Warriors made major Klay Thompson mistake on current back-to-back?

By Peter O'Keefe

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 13: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors is defended by Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half of a game at Fiserv Forum on December 13, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 13: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors is defended by Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half of a game at Fiserv Forum on December 13, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors have begun their six-game roadtrip in rough fashion, falling to the Milwaukee Bucks 128-111 at Fiserv Forum on Tuesday night.

A frustrated Warriors battled more than just the Bucks throughout the contest, tallying four technical fouls as head coach Steve Kerr and superstar Stephen Curry became animated with the referees early in the game.

The Golden State Warriors’ blowout loss to the Milwaukee Bucks has made Wednesday’s clash with the Indiana Pacers a must-win matchup.

Without Andrew Wiggins for a third-straight game, Golden State looked undersized against Milwaukee’s front-court of Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez and sixth-man Bobby Portis. Still, the Warriors felt they got little help from the referees as the Bucks tallied 29 free-throw attempts to 19, including a 13-2 advantage as they built a 12-point half-time lead.

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo had 17 free-throw attempts in Tuesday’s win over the Golden State Warriors. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo had 17 free-throw attempts in Tuesday’s win over the Golden State Warriors. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Golden State’s five starters didn’t do any favours by combining to shoot 21-for-57 (36.8%) from the field, with Klay Thompson playing his part in that by shooting just 6-for-16. As routine with back-to-backs this season, Thompson will now miss Wednesday’s clash with the Indiana Pacers. It’s a decision that Warriors management may come to regret depending on the result against a fellow .500 team.

While holding Thompson over for the Pacers game could have been viewed as a negative approach, and certainly wouldn’t have impressed the NBA given the Bucks matchup was a marquee game nationally televised on ABC, it could prove an alternative decision Golden State should have made.

With the Bucks holding an imposing 19-7 record including 12-3 at home, a win was always going to be a tall order for the Wiggins-less Warriors. Although Thompson’s absence may have meant they were practically tanking the game, it would have heavily increased their chances of a much-needed win on the second night of the back-to-back.

The Warriors will now face the Pacers without Thompson or Wiggins, while just over three hours from gametime, Stephen Curry is listed as questionable after a heavy collision with Antetokounmpo in the opening quarter.

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Sitting with a precarious 14-14 record, Golden State are needing to bank wins rather than simply test themselves against the best the NBA has to offer. This is all easy to say in hindsight, and a win over the Bucks certainly would have been a major boost coming off Saturday’s win over the Boston Celtics. This is all a moot point as well, provided the Warriors take care of business in Indiana.

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