Week 6 Recap: The Warriors’ late game execution woes continue as they continue to learn valuable lessons
The inability to close out games due to the lack of late game execution has continued for Golden State as they learn valuable lessons along the way.
The most recent lesson came Sunday night in Orlando as the Dubs dropped another game in their 100-96 loss to the Magic. The Warriors let a one-point lead slip away with just under three minutes left in the game.
For the past six years, the Warriors fan base have been able to sit back in late game situation knowing that they have All-Stars and quality vets to close out games. Stephen Curry grew into that role in 2013, and always had the help of Andre Iguodala. Once Klay Thompson joined the party in 2015, it was almost a given for the Dubs to be able to pull out close games.
That given wasn’t always a given. Curry and Thompson took their fair share of beat downs early in their careers. They grew from it. They developed an elite feel for the game. They gained experience that let them outsmart opponents and force their will on games. In short, they learned what it takes to win.
Now, with several of those stars injured, the young roster is left to figure out how to win down the stretch. Almost as if the process has started over.
"It's definitely one of those things that take time," Warriors forward Draymond Green admitted Sunday. "It's not something that just happens overnight."
In Sunday night’s matchup, the Warriors fell behind early spotting the Magic a 12 point lead. The Dubs battled back, catching a three point lead late in the fourth quarter.
In past years, this is where those All-Stars and vets would put their foot on their opponent’s throats. This team on the other hand, isn’t there yet. Late game execution has been a consistent struggle throughout the season.
The Dubs allowed Orlando to go on a 9-0 run, capped by a Khem Birch free throw with a minute to go, helping seal the game.
At the moment, the Warriors -- holding a 4-17 record -- are the worst team in clutch situations, averaging just 6.3 points in the game's last five minutes in such situations. To cap that off, they're shooting just 39.6 percent in such situations.
The current circumstances are much different than its performances of the past. Last season, the Warriors finished ninth in clutch situations, winning 57 percent of their games decided by five points or less with a roster featuring Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Andre Iguodala and Klay Thompson … again All-Stars and vets.
But the young Warriors are making strides. Before the Thanksgiving holiday, the Steve Kerr led group managed to take home a win against the Chicago Bulls-- thanks to an animated timeout from Steve Kerr in the second half. Following Kerr’s outburst, which resulted in a broken clipboard and some blood, the Dubs outscored the Bulls 26-17 in the fourth quarter to earn their fourth win of the season.
Monday was the exact opposite of this. The Dubs built a 15-point lead, before succumbing to a 25-5 run, giving Chris Paul and the OKC Thunder the game.
Friday night’s matchup against the Miami heat was a route from start to finish, roughly behind the Dub’s flat start. They allowed Miami to jump out 41-21 and from there they couldn’t make up the ground.
"The last three, four games we've played, I feel better about our execution down the stretch," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. "We just have to stick with it and let it pay off."
"They made a couple shots, we missed a couple," Green added. "But when you're playing a game all you can ask for at the end of the game is to get yourself a shot to win the game and we did that."
These improvements may pay dividends as some notable contributors are making their way back to the court soon. Over the next week, the roster is expected to get D'Angelo Russell, Jacob Evans and Kevon Looney back in the lineup, helping the roster's need for veteran presences, as well as late game scoring. For now, they'll just take the latest lesson learned on Sunday evening.
"I thought we competed against Miami the other night. Tonight was a really good fight," Kerr said. "We competed, we defended like crazy. So I'm telling you the improvement is there, the competitiveness is there. We'll get over the hump, but it's just we're not there anymore."