Steph Curry Quiet in Loss to Pacers at Home: A Tough Night for the Warriors
San Francisco, CA (December 24, 2024) — The Golden State Warriors, known for their explosive offense and thrilling performances led by Steph Curry, faced an unusual and challenging night at Chase Center on Monday. In a rare subpar performance, the Warriors fell 110-98 to the Indiana Pacers, with Curry struggling to find his rhythm on both ends of the court. This loss, on their home turf, showcased not only Curry’s uncharacteristically quiet night but also exposed weaknesses in the Warriors’ defense and offensive flow.
For a team that has long been defined by their ability to shoot lights out, particularly from beyond the arc, Monday’s game against the Pacers was a sobering reminder of how quickly things can fall apart. Despite Curry’s 18-point outing, which included an inefficient 6-of-20 shooting and a dismal 2-of-10 from three, Golden State’s performance as a whole was lackluster. The Warriors’ offense, once a well-oiled machine of ball movement and scoring depth, was stifled by the Pacers’ defense, leading to their fifth loss in the last 10 games.
Steph Curry’s Uncharacteristic Struggles
Steph Curry has been nothing short of spectacular throughout his career, regularly silencing critics and defying expectations. But even the greatest players have off nights, and Monday was one of those nights for Curry. His usual offensive dynamism was nowhere to be found, as the Pacers did a masterful job of limiting his scoring opportunities.
Curry’s 18 points came from an array of difficult shots, many of which he normally makes with ease. From long-range three-pointers to contested mid-range jumpers, Curry’s shot selection was as varied as ever, but the results were far from typical. He couldn’t find his usual rhythm, and a 30% shooting night from beyond the arc was the direct result of poor shot-making and solid defense by Indiana.
“It was just one of those nights. I didn’t have the shots I usually make,” Curry said after the game. “Credit to the Pacers. They made things difficult for me. I’ve got to figure out a way to get better shots next time.”
Curry has been dealing with occasional shooting slumps throughout the season, but this game was particularly notable given how out of character it seemed for the Warriors’ star. While it’s not uncommon for Curry to go through cold stretches, it was rare to see him miss so many open looks. This was compounded by the fact that the Warriors had few other sources of consistent offense to pick up the slack, especially with Klay Thompson also struggling to shoot effectively.
Despite the quiet night, Curry’s leadership remained evident. He continued to facilitate the offense and directed his teammates, even as his shooting woes continued. The real test for the Warriors will be how they respond to this performance, especially as they enter the later stages of the season with aspirations for another deep playoff run.
The Struggles of Golden State’s Offense
Curry wasn’t the only Warrior struggling on Monday. As a team, Golden State shot just 43% from the field and an abysmal 28% from three-point range. These numbers are well below the team’s typical production, especially from long distance, where the Warriors have led the league for the better part of the past decade. When Curry and Thompson can’t buy a bucket from beyond the arc, the Warriors’ offense looks disjointed and predictable.
The lack of shooting consistency affected their ball movement. Golden State is known for its fluid passing game, where the ball seems to zip around the court, finding open shooters and creating mismatches. On Monday, however, their offensive sets appeared forced. Indiana’s defense, which is one of the league’s more underrated units this season, swarmed the Warriors on every possession, contesting shots and forcing Golden State into uncomfortable mid-range jumpers and contested drives.
Klay Thompson finished with 20 points, but his shooting efficiency was just as disappointing as Curry’s. Thompson went 8-of-21 from the field, including a lackluster 3-of-12 from deep. With both of the Warriors’ sharpshooters off their game, the team struggled to generate any real momentum offensively.
“This is not the kind of performance we’re used to seeing from ourselves,” Thompson admitted. “I have to be more efficient, especially when we’re struggling as a team.”
Draymond Green, despite contributing 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists, couldn’t offer the offensive spark the Warriors desperately needed. Green, who is often called upon to provide leadership on both ends of the floor, has seen his offensive production dip in recent years, and on Monday, his struggles were magnified by Golden State’s inability to shoot the ball well.
The bench, which has been a significant strength for the Warriors in recent seasons, also failed to provide much support. Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, and Gary Payton II combined for just 14 points in a game that was desperately in need of scoring from all corners. With Curry and Thompson misfiring, the Warriors needed their role players to step up, but the Pacers’ defense prevented any sort of real offensive breakthrough from the second unit.
Pacers’ Balanced Attack Overwhelms Warriors
While the Warriors struggled offensively, the Indiana Pacers executed their game plan to perfection. They have quietly emerged as one of the most impressive and well-coached teams in the NBA this season, and Monday night’s victory over Golden State was a testament to their growth as a team.
Tyrese Haliburton, one of the most underrated stars in the league, led the charge for Indiana with 24 points and 8 assists. Haliburton has emerged as one of the league’s top point guards, and his playmaking ability was on full display against the Warriors. He controlled the tempo, facilitated the offense, and hit key shots at crucial moments.
“The key to winning against a team like Golden State is not allowing them to get into a rhythm,” Haliburton said after the game. “We knew we had to keep the pressure on them, and we did a great job executing our game plan.”
Haliburton’s ability to dictate the offense was complemented by a strong supporting cast. Jalen Smith was exceptional in both scoring and rebounding, finishing with 16 points and 10 rebounds. His physical presence in the paint allowed the Pacers to control the boards, limiting Golden State’s second-chance opportunities.
Bennedict Mathurin, the dynamic young guard, added 15 points, contributing to Indiana’s balanced attack. Mathurin’s scoring ability and off-the-ball movement kept the Warriors’ defense on their heels, forcing mismatches and open opportunities.
Myles Turner, who has long been a defensive anchor for the Pacers, finished with 12 points and 8 rebounds. Turner’s rim protection was crucial in limiting Golden State’s ability to finish inside, and his defense on Curry and Thompson helped prevent the Warriors from getting into any sort of offensive rhythm.
Overall, the Pacers shot 47% from the field and 39% from beyond the arc, capitalizing on Golden State’s defensive lapses. They also dominated in fast-break points, outscoring the Warriors 18-6 in transition. This was a critical factor in the game, as Golden State struggled to keep up with Indiana’s speed and ball movement.
Defensive Breakdown for the Warriors
While much of the focus was on the Warriors’ offensive struggles, their defense was also a major factor in the loss. Golden State, traditionally one of the best defensive teams in the league, failed to make the necessary adjustments to contain the Pacers’ balanced offensive attack.
The Warriors had issues defending the pick-and-roll, which Indiana executed with precision. Haliburton’s ability to make the right reads and get the ball to his teammates in rhythm forced Golden State into defensive rotations that often left shooters like Mathurin and Haliburton open for clean looks.
The Warriors also struggled to contain the Pacers in transition. Their inability to get back quickly allowed Indiana to exploit open lanes to the basket, and as a result, the Pacers shot a high percentage from the field. Golden State’s defense was too often caught out of position, allowing easy baskets and preventing the Warriors from building any defensive consistency.
“We weren’t urgent enough on defense tonight,” Draymond Green said after the game. “When we’re not hitting shots, we’ve got to make up for it on the other end. We didn’t do that.”
Looking Ahead: A Wake-Up Call for the Warriors
The loss to the Pacers is a tough pill to swallow for the Warriors, especially at home. However, it serves as a valuable reminder that the team must maintain defensive intensity and offensive efficiency to remain competitive in the Western Conference.
The Warriors’ next challenge comes on Christmas Day, as they face the Dallas Mavericks—a team led by the explosive Luka Dončić. It will be a crucial matchup, and Golden State will need to bounce back quickly, particularly on defense. The Mavs will provide a tough test, with Dončić capable of exploiting any weakness in the Warriors’ defense.
For Curry, Thompson, and Green, the focus now turns to making adjustments and staying mentally sharp. While one loss doesn’t define a season, it’s clear that the Warriors need to recapture their shooting touch and defensive focus if they want to contend for another championship.
In the world of the NBA, where the competition is fierce and the margin for error is slim, the Warriors have little time to dwell on this loss. They will need to refocus and rally together, learning from this setback and channeling that energy into the next stretch of games.
As for Curry, a return to form is almost certain. The question remains: will the Warriors as a whole rise to the occasion,
or will this loss mark the beginning of a deeper struggle for consistency? Only time will tell.
