The Warriors, Without Stephen Curry, Continue Their Losing Skid
The Golden State Warriors, once a dominant force in the NBA, have found themselves in a difficult and unexpected slump in the 2024-2025 season. With the team’s star player, Stephen Curry, sidelined due to injury, the Warriors have struggled to maintain their high standards of play. This article delves into the ongoing challenges the team is facing, the impact of Curry’s absence, and what it means for the Warriors’ chances of turning their season around.
A New Era, A Sudden Setback
The Golden State Warriors’ dynasty, built on the shoulders of Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, is synonymous with success. They have won four NBA championships since 2015, dominating the league with their unique blend of offense, defense, and team chemistry. The trio of Curry, Thompson, and Green became a blueprint for modern basketball, with Curry’s unrivaled shooting ability at the forefront of the Warriors’ success.
However, the 2024-2025 season has not been kind to the Warriors. In mid-November, Stephen Curry suffered a left shoulder injury that would sideline him for an extended period. Initially, fans hoped the Warriors could manage without their MVP, but as the games progressed, it became increasingly clear that the team was struggling to fill the void left by their leader.
Without Curry, the Warriors’ offense has been noticeably inefficient. The fluid ball movement, sharp shooting, and off-the-ball screens that defined their system have faltered. Even the Warriors’ high-powered shooting ability, once considered their biggest strength, has failed to produce consistently. As a result, the team has fallen into a losing streak that has many questioning whether the dynasty is starting to unravel.
The Impact of Curry’s Absence
Stephen Curry’s absence from the lineup has proven to be more than just a loss of scoring. Curry is the engine that drives the Warriors’ offensive system, and his influence stretches far beyond what appears on the box score. He is the gravity that pulls opposing defenders out of position, opening up passing lanes for others. His scoring, especially from beyond the arc, forces defenders to constantly stay aware of his movements, even when he is off the ball.
The Warriors’ offense, which relies on pace, spacing, and ball movement, has been far less effective without Curry. Jordan Poole, who was expected to step up in Curry’s absence, has had a mixed performance. While Poole has shown flashes of brilliance, he has struggled to be consistently efficient as a primary ball handler. The Warriors’ offense often looks disjointed, with players hesitant to take control, leading to frequent turnovers and missed opportunities.
The leadership void left by Curry is equally significant. Curry is not only the team’s top scorer but also its emotional leader. His contagious enthusiasm and unselfishness have helped establish a winning culture in Golden State. His absence has left a leadership gap that the Warriors have not fully managed to fill. While Draymond Green remains the team’s vocal leader, his intensity and defensive prowess haven’t been enough to rally the Warriors in their difficult stretch.
Relying on the Supporting Cast
In the absence of Curry, the Warriors have had to rely heavily on their supporting cast, but many of them have struggled to elevate their play to the level needed to sustain the team’s success. Klay Thompson, once regarded as one of the best shooting guards in the league, has had an inconsistent season. After suffering from ACL and Achilles injuries in recent years, Thompson’s shooting percentage has not been up to his usual standards. While he has had a few standout performances, he has often been unable to carry the scoring load in Curry’s absence.
Draymond Green, the team’s defensive anchor and emotional leader, has also faced challenges. His offensive contributions have always been secondary to his defense, but the Warriors have needed more from him to bridge the gap without Curry. Green’s playmaking and leadership have been crucial, but they haven’t been enough to spark the team’s offense.
The Warriors have also looked to younger players like Moses Moody, Jonathan Kuminga, and Kevon Looney to step up in Curry’s absence. While these players have shown promise, they remain raw and inconsistent. Moody and Kuminga have shown flashes of brilliance on the offensive end, but they are still learning how to play within the Warriors’ intricate system. Looney, though a solid rebounder and defender, lacks the offensive firepower to compensate for Curry’s absence.
In short, while the supporting cast has talent, it has not been able to fill the gap left by Curry’s injury. The Warriors have struggled to find their rhythm, and the lack of consistent production from these players has been a significant factor in their ongoing losing streak.
The Defensive Struggles
While much of the focus has been on the Warriors’ offensive issues, the team has also struggled defensively in Curry’s absence. Historically, the Warriors have prided themselves on their ability to lock down opponents with a combination of defensive schemes and individual defense, spearheaded by Draymond Green.
This season, however, the Warriors have been more vulnerable defensively than in previous years. Opponents have been able to exploit the Warriors’ lack of shot-blocking and their inability to contain dribble penetration. The Warriors’ defensive rating has slipped significantly since Curry went down, and the team’s defensive rotations have often been slow, leaving shooters wide open on the perimeter. Green, who has typically been a dominant force in the post, has had a harder time containing larger, more physical opponents, particularly in the absence of Curry’s perimeter defense.
Moreover, the Warriors’ reliance on a high-paced, three-point shooting game means they are often playing a style of basketball that leaves them vulnerable to fast breaks and quick scoring spurts. While the Warriors have been known to turn defense into offense, without Curry’s scoring contributions, they haven’t been able to capitalize on fast-break opportunities as they once did.
A Changing Western Conference
As the Warriors struggle, the Western Conference has become more competitive than ever. Teams like the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, and Dallas Mavericks have emerged as formidable contenders, making it even more difficult for the Warriors to keep pace without their star player. The Los Angeles Lakers, with LeBron James continuing to defy age, and the Sacramento Kings, led by De’Aaron Fox, are also becoming increasingly relevant in the playoff picture.
The Warriors, traditionally one of the top teams in the West, now find themselves fighting just to stay in playoff contention. The loss of Curry has compounded their struggles, and while the team has enough talent to stay competitive, it’s becoming increasingly clear that they cannot afford to let the losing streak continue.
Looking Ahead: The Road to Recovery
The road ahead for the Warriors will not be easy. With Curry’s return expected at some point in the future, the team will need to remain afloat until their star point guard is back on the court. However, the Warriors can’t rely solely on Curry’s return to solve their problems. They need to find ways to win games in his absence, and that means improving their overall team play.
One area where the Warriors can improve is in their ball movement. Even without Curry, the Warriors are still one of the best passing teams in the league, but they have been less disciplined with the basketball in recent games. Reducing turnovers and maintaining offensive flow should be a top priority. The Warriors also need to find ways to maximize Klay Thompson’s shooting ability. If Thompson can find consistency and contribute more regularly, it would take some of the pressure off the younger players and help the Warriors stay competitive.
Defensively, the Warriors will need to tighten up their rotations and become more disciplined in guarding the paint. While they are unlikely to become a dominant defensive team overnight, the Warriors can still be effective with smart positioning and better communication. Green’s leadership on that end will be crucial to maintaining a sense of defensive cohesion until Curry returns.
Ultimately, the Warriors’ fate in the 2024-2025 season will come down to how well they can weather this storm without their leader. Their talent is undeniable, and once Curry returns, they will undoubtedly be a threat to contend in the postseason. But whether they can survive the current losing streak and remain relevant in the playoff race without him will determine the future trajectory of this season.
The Bottom Line
The Golden State Warriors, once again a cornerstone of the NBA’s elite teams, are in the midst of a rough patch that has tested their resolve. Without Stephen Curry, they have continued to struggle, unable to replicate the offensive brilliance that has defined their championship run. While the team is still talented, the absence of Curry has exposed some of their weaknesses, particularly on offense and defense.
The Warriors need to find ways to stay afloat in the playoff race until Curry returns. The rest of the roster will need to step up and find ways to improve, especially in terms of shot-making, defense, and leadership. As the Warriors wait for Curry’s return, they must prove that their dynasty is not yet over and that they still have what it takes to compete for championships in the modern NBA. The road ahead is tough, but with their talent and legacy, the Warriors are more than capable of turning their season around.