Warriors need growth for Steph Curry and Draymond Green’s plan for success – NBC Sports Bay Area and California

Steve Kerr started this season with a plan designed exclusively for Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, the senior men on the Warriors’ roster. The coach saw an opportunity to push his agenda Saturday night in San Antonio.

When the Warriors had a 17-point lead over the Spurs in the final two minutes of the third quarter, Curry and Green were on the bench. Kerr hoped to keep her there.

That’s his plan. If the Warriors play on consecutive nights, as was the case in San Antonio, Curry and Green would either sit out one of the games or have their minutes reduced. An 81:64 lead over the resurgent Spurs came into Kerr’s plan.

Until the Spurs demolished it. With the bench slacking and the Spurs pulling within four with 8:06 left, Kerr had to call on Curry and Green for the final eight minutes.

Their rescue efforts were no match for the rampaging Spurs. The Warriors scored 13:55 in the final, San Antonio responded with 40 and Golden State headed to the airport with a 104-94 loss.

“A disappointing loss because we were in control of the game midway through the third and it felt like we were on the verge of breaking it,” Kerr told reporters at the Frost Bank Center. “But we didn’t.”

The 33:13 defeat in the fourth game was an impressive example. The Warriors shot 21.1 percent from the field in the fourth period, including 20 percent from beyond the arc. They committed four turnovers, from which San Antonio scored seven points.

The Spurs held 41.9 percent shooting in three quarters, including 25.7 percent from deep, and rebounded in the fourth quarter with 52.2/33.3 percent shooting. They outscored the Warriors 14-11 and only committed two turnovers.

Star center Victor Wembanyama dominated with 12 points, five assists and two blocks in 11 minutes.

“The way the third quarter ended was amazing,” Kerr said. “We had a 15-point lead and had the ball with 35 seconds left, so we’ll go 2-on-1 and hopefully be 17 points ahead by matchday four. And then there’s a turnover and they score five goals in a row, making it a 10-point game going into the fourth. That was a pivotal moment as far as momentum goes and I think they earned it, the Spurs earned it by finishing the quarter the way they did and then dominating the fourth.”

Curry, who played 33 minutes in a 112-108 win over the Pelicans in New Orleans a night earlier, had an absolutely unforgettable night: 14 points, 5 of 16 shooting from the field, including 3 of 10 from long range. He played 24 minutes in three quarters, and his eight in the fourth quarter were pitiful: six points, six field goal attempts, two rebounds, three turnovers and a telling minus-14.

Curry, listed on the injury report as “probable” with bursitis in his left knee, was productive enough to go a plus-18 in three quarters.

Green, who played 30 minutes Friday night, was no better. The fourth quarter was a disaster. He made 1 of 2 from the line, grabbed two rebounds, recorded an assist and committed three fouls in seven minutes. It was minus-12 for the quarter.

Despite going scoreless in the first three quarters, Green managed to score a plus-12 in the first 20 minutes.
None of Golden State’s decorated veterans had anything to offer.

“I’m sure everyone is (tired),” said Andrew Wiggins, who scored a team-high 20 points. “If not mentally, then physically. If not physically, then mentally. One or the other.

“But this is the NBA. That’s basketball.”

This was Golden State’s first consecutive road set in the 2024–25 NBA season. The next one is Jan. 9-10 in Detroit and Indiana, with three more to follow in the second half. There is time to make the necessary adjustments.

“We’re still figuring a few things out,” Wiggins said. “Today would be a perfect example, especially as we move forward, if we execute and get what we want, when we want it. But then they made it difficult for us.”

Golden State’s bench, without Jonathan Kuminga in San Antonio (due to illness), was a strength. It played mostly to form for three quarters before wilting late.

That and the Spurs’ late energy forced Kerr to deviate from his plan for Curry and Green. It is still appropriate and will remain in force, but this evening made it clear that the team’s celebrated strength must continue to grow.

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