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Even though they're still in second place in the Western Conference, the Golden State Warriors' play has been wildly inconsistent during the month of February and they haven't seemed like their usual selves of late. Granted they've been dealt a difficult hand during this recent stretch, but they've lost their edge and haven't looked as dominant.
This has been due to a series of unfortunate circumstances spanning from untimely injuries to line-up changes to implementing players back into their rotation. Whatever the case may be, the Warriors haven't looked as fluid on both ends of the floor and need to figure things out sooner than later. With all this in the fold for Golden State, we'll now discuss the four reasons behind the Warriors recent slump following their 9-game win streak.
Reasons for the Warriors current skid:
4. Draymond Green has missed significant time with a lingering back injury
It goes without saying that Draymond Green's value to the Golden State Warriors is absolutely unmatched. As their designated point-forward and defensive anchor, Green has been the heart and soul of his record-breaking squad for the past several seasons. His tenacity and drive on both ends of the floor has been vital to their success this season.
So with Green having missed the past month with a nagging back injury, the Warriors definitely haven't been the same with him out of the rotation. Once Green returns to their starting line-up though, this will allow the Dubs to run a more fluid and free flowing system that will really open things up for the rest of the team and have things running smoothly for them once again.
3. Stephen Curry has been in a shooting slump over the past several games
From carrying the team for the entirety of last season and overachieving with a mediocre supporting cast and bringing the them within one basket of making the playoffs to breaking Ray Allen's all-time 3-point scoring record, there's no denying that Stephen Curry's been doing it all for the Warriors.
Plus he's toned up and vastly improved his play on the defensive end and quickly become one of the league's most efficient two-way guards. Add to that all the time and effort he's put in to reaching 3,000 made 3-pointers to further cement his legacy as the greatest shooter in NBA history, and Curry has officially worked himself to the point of exhaustion.
This in-turn has resulted in his wildly inconsistent play on the offensive end as of late which is due in part to injured teammates and line-up changes. Regardless though, Steph's jumper has not been nearly as effective during this recent stretch. Now he has found several other ways to be impactful and hit some big shots recently, but over the past several games Curry hasn't been automatic from Steph range and that's always been his forte. It is widely expected though that Curry will get his groove back after the All-Star break when things pick up again.
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2. The Warriors are still getting adjusted Klay Thompson's return
Coming off a two and a half year layoff where he was recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee, Klay Thompson's recovery and return to the court has truly been the feel good story of the 2022-23 NBA season. Especially after all the trials and tribulations he had to go through to make his long-anticipated return.
Klay has definitely found his rhythm and re-established his presence as one of the premier 3-and-D players in the league, but it has affected the other players in their rotation and altered their flow. In no way is this a knock on Thompson, but because they want to get him back into the swing of things this has forced them to change things up some.
Soon enough though, the team will be perfectly adjusted to Thompson and run a less scattered offense. On defense, Thompson's presence has definitely been a major plus for them. With so many moving pieces at the moment, it'll be on everyone else to make their fit with Thompson come into fruition. In spite of this, they are progressing with each game he plays and in due time will make it all come together.
1. Opposing team's have taken full advantage of Golden State's lack of size
It's no secret that the Dubs have been lacking size over the past few seasons, and with both Green and James Wiseman out injured this has opened the flood gates for some of the bigger teams in the league to have their way with them in the paint. This was a major area of weakness that the Warriors needed to address at the NBA trade deadline, but nothing was done about it. However, Wiseman has returned to practice and has been cleared to participate in full-contact drills and scrimmages.
So it may not be much longer before the Warriors get another reliable interior presence outside of Kevon Looney. Even though Looney has been solid for them this season, he's also been an offensive liability at times. Despite their relatively thin frontline, the Warriors are still the number two seed in the Western Conference. So it shouldn't be too much longer before they get Wiseman back healthy to complete their starting five and give them quality depth at the center spot.
