On January 5, Stephen Curry found himself in a frustrating postgame interview following the Golden State Warriors’ embarrassing 129-99 loss to the Sacramento Kings. As chants of “Light the Beam” rang out in the arena, signaling Sacramento’s dominant victory, Curry’s frustration was clear. The Warriors, who had been outplayed from the start, were left to reflect on another disappointing performance.
Curry, who finished the game with 26 points on 8-of-12 shooting, acknowledged his team’s struggles in a game that saw the Kings—without their star player, De’Aaron Fox—take an early lead. Sacramento raced out to a 7-0 start and never looked back, outpacing the Warriors in every facet of the game. “Nobody likes to get embarrassed like that, especially with the way we started the first quarter,” Curry said, visibly upset. The Kings led 36-21 after the first quarter, and the deficit only grew as the game went on, with Sacramento’s offense firing on all cylinders.
The Warriors were coming off a tough 121-113 win over the Memphis Grizzlies the night before, but fatigue appeared to be a factor. Curry, fresh off a one-game rest for load management, tried to carry the team, but was unable to get enough support from his teammates. “When you’re looking up and it’s a double-digit lead before the first timeout, we’re not really built for — especially with the situation, to have that crazy comeback,” Curry admitted. Despite solid performances from Andrew Wiggins (18 points) and Moses Moody (13 points), the Warriors’ offense lacked cohesion, and the team found itself outmatched.
The loss was compounded by the absence of fourth-year forward Jonathan Kuminga, who had been emerging as a reliable second scoring option. Kuminga, who averages 16.8 points per game, is sidelined for three weeks due to an ankle injury. Without him, the Warriors’ depth was tested, and their lack of a second offensive star was evident. The Kings, on the other hand, hit 19 three-pointers while the Warriors only connected on 12, with Curry accounting for four of those.
Despite the loss, the Warriors still have the eighth-best title odds at +2600. However, with the trade deadline approaching, it raises the question: Will the Warriors make a move to bring Curry more help? Reports suggest the team is not interested in acquiring Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler, despite his reputation as an elite two-way player. Butler’s age, injury history, and high trade cost have led the Warriors’ front office to prioritize retaining their current players, including Wiggins and Kuminga, rather than pursuing the 35-year-old All-Star.
As the Warriors look to rebound, Curry’s plea for help remains a reminder of the challenges ahead. With the trade deadline looming, the team faces crucial decisions to stay competitive in the Western Conference.
