Golden State Warriors come to regret another disastrous stretch in loss to Clippers

If you recall the Golden State Warriors February 2 matchup against the Denver Nuggets, then that’s all you need to know about their latest clash against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday.

Golden State had put themselves in position during that Denver game, with the game tied at 85 halfway through the third quarter. The Nuggets put the Warriors to the sword with a 16-0 run on that night, and a similar event occured as the reigning champions came to rue a disastrous spurt against the Clippers.

A 22-4 run in the space of six minutes elevated the Los Angeles Clippers to a 134-124 win over the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday.

The Warriors led 89-88 with 4:35 left in the third, yet by less than two minutes into the fourth, they trailed 110-93. So often able to destroy teams with devastating runs in the past, the inability to stop decisive momentum has been a blight on this version of Golden State.

The Warriors began slowly offensively, recording just seven points in the opening six and a half minutes which allowed the Clippers to build an early double-digit lead. Golden State began to get things rolling late in the quarter, but eight points from Kawhi Leonard helped Los Angeles to a 31-23 lead after 12 minutes.

Golden State came out scorching hot in the second-quarter though, knocking down triples at will to quickly override the deficit. They put up 42 points in an exquisite offensive display, with double-digit scoring from Jordan Poole, Donte DiVincenzo, Jonathan Kuminga and Ty Jerome giving the Warriors a surprise 65-61 lead going into the half.

Leonard began on a heater in the third-quarter, knocking down a series of triples as he began the game 6-for-7 from three-point range. Golden State stuck with the surging Clippers for most of the period, with neither team offering much resistance on the defensive end.

After the fateful run, Golden State didn’t go away but by the same token, they never truly threatened either. They cut the margin to ten on a couple of occasions in the final five minutes, but they never got closer than the final result.

Offense wasn’t the issue for the Warriors with each starter reaching double-digits in scoring led by Poole’s 28 and six assists. Kuminga also added 16 points and five rebounds off the bench as the visitors shot a healthy 54.2% from the field and 44.1% from three-point range.

In an ongoing habit in their road games this season, Golden State were simply unable to stop the opposition’s offensive onslaught. Leonard finished with 33, Norman Powell 24, and Paul George 20 as the Clippers shot 53.3% from the field and 47.2% from deep. The Warriors’ defense wasn’t aided by the absence of Andrew Wiggins who missed the game for personal reasons after 29 points against the Wizards on Monday.

Golden State enter the All-Star break even at 29-29, still with plenty of work to do simply to make the postseason. They now have nine days off before a matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers, with focus now turned on their vacant 15th roster spot and the recovery of two-time MVP Stephen Curry.