Stephen Curry's woes continued on Saturday night as the Golden State Warriors suffered a demoralizing 120-108 blowout loss to the Boston Celtics. Curry, who has been struggling with his shot all season, finished with just 16 points on 5-of-17 shooting, including 1-of-8 from three-point range.
Curry's struggles have been well-documented this season. After winning his fourth NBA championship and first NBA Finals MVP award last season, Curry has seen his scoring average drop from 32.0 to 27.5 points per game. His shooting percentages have also declined, with his field goal percentage dropping from 48.2% to 43.7% and his three-point percentage dropping from 42.8% to 38.1%.
Curry's struggles have been particularly evident in recent weeks. In his last five games, he is averaging just 18.6 points per game on 38.2% shooting, including 31.8% from three-point range. He has also had several games where he has been held to single digits, including a 10-point performance in a loss to the Orlando Magic on November 19.
The Warriors' struggles were compounded by the absence of Draymond Green, who sat out with a right knee injury. Green is the heart and soul of the Warriors' defense, and his absence was felt on Saturday night. The Celtics were able to get whatever they wanted in the paint, shooting 55.6% from the field and scoring 52 points in the paint.
The Warriors' defense has been a major concern all season, and Green's absence only exacerbated the problem. The Warriors are currently ranked 29th in the NBA in defensive rating, allowing 117.1 points per 100 possessions. They have also allowed opponents to shoot 48.3% from the field, which is the fourth-highest mark in the league.
The Warriors' defense has been particularly poor in recent games. In their last five games, they have allowed opponents to score 120 or more points four times. They have also allowed opponents to shoot 50% or better from the field in four of those five games.
The Warriors' loss to the Celtics was a disappointing setback, but it also exposed some of the team's weaknesses. Curry is struggling to find his shot, and the Warriors' defense is in shambles. If the Warriors want to be a contender this season, they need to find a way to get Curry going and improve their defense.
The Warriors' struggles have raised questions about the team's long-term prospects. Curry is 34 years old, and he is starting to show signs of decline. If Curry's struggles continue, the Warriors may need to start thinking about the future. They have a number of young players who could potentially be part of their next core, but they need to develop quickly if the Warriors want to remain competitive.
The Warriors' defense is also a major concern. If they cannot improve their defense, they will be vulnerable to being upset in the playoffs. The Warriors have a lot of experience, but they also have a lot of weaknesses. If they want to win another championship, they need to find a way to fix their defense and get Curry going.
