The Warriors' trio of stars proved ineffective against the unavoidable outcome in their defeat.

April 17, 2024

The Warriors' trio of stars proved ineffective against the unavoidable outcome in their defeat.

In Sacramento, as the final buzzer echoed and the Warriors faced defeat, there was no outburst of frustration, no defiant gestures, no disrespect towards their victorious opponents. Instead, there was a symbolic acknowledgment of the Sacramento Kings' triumph and a sober recognition of the inevitable reality that unfolded in a decisive 118-94 loss in the NBA Play-In Tournament on Tuesday night at Golden 1 Center.

"We've been incredibly fortunate here with exceptional players, multiple championships, and appearances in the Finals," remarked coach Steve Kerr. "We've experienced the pinnacle of success. And now, this is the other side of the coin. This is life. This is the way things unfold. You can't remain at the top indefinitely."

The illustrious recent history of the Golden State Warriors offered no advantage against the youthful, more determined Sacramento Kings in this play-in matchup. The Warriors found themselves powerless as memories of their past successes and the reality of the present unfolded, signaling the end of their season.

For the first time in their decade-long tenure as a healthy trio, the championship core of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson will miss out on the NBA playoffs. They have never used their combined talents to close out an NBA season in April.

"It's a gut-wrenching feeling," expressed Curry. "You go out there, give it your all, and it doesn't go your way. We understand that you can't win every year, but there was so much belief that we could turn this season around, keep our hopes alive, and make something happen. Sacramento played exceptionally well tonight."

The Kings' defense, led by Keegan Murray, hounded Curry as if they were protecting their own paychecks. While Green's trademark energy fluctuated, he failed to leave the impactful impression he often does in crucial moments. Thompson, facing an uncertain future as an unrestricted free agent, endured the toughest night of all. He was consistently targeted on defense and struggled to find any offensive rhythm, going scoreless despite taking 10 shots, all of which missed the mark.

Almost every aspect of the game seemed to betray the efforts of these seasoned veterans. They fumbled passes, lost control of the ball, made errant passes, and inadvertently stepped out of bounds. In short, they provided Shaquille O'Neal with plenty of material for his infamous lowlights reel.

"We clearly fell short," Kerr admitted of a team that posted a 46-36 record in the regular season.

The Kings played with a relentless pace and unwavering determination, outperforming the Warriors in various aspects of the game. Despite the Warriors finishing the regular season as the league's top rebounding team, the Kings outrebounded them. Additionally, the Warriors were outscored 25-9 in second-chance points and 12-6 in fast break points. They also struggled to capitalize on Sacramento's turnovers, scoring only 12 points off eight turnovers, while allowing the Kings to score 20 points off 16 turnovers.

It wasn't until Kerr, remaining steadfast in belief until the final minutes, made the decision to clear the bench with 2:13 remaining, essentially conceding defeat, that the Warriors finally came to terms with their fate. They did so with a palpable sense of resignation.

After the final buzzer, Curry, Green, and Thompson exchanged embraces with several Kings players and staff members, some of whom had been part of the Warriors during their most successful periods.

There were indications all along that the Warriors had faltered, particularly their 4-19 record against the top six teams in the Western Conference, those who surpassed the play-in tournament and secured direct playoff berths.

"The league is evolving," Green observed. "You're either improving or regressing. I believe the league has progressed... and will continue to do so."

The decline of championship teams is often both gradual and sudden. It can be anticipated yet denied until it becomes undeniable.

"We're aware that the NBA landscape has changed," acknowledged Curry, expressing confidence that the Warriors are not finished as a competitive force in the league. "As we progress in our careers, we must adapt, make necessary adjustments to achieve success."

Those closest to a declining NBA team are often the last to recognize its decline, consumed by the daily challenges they face. Conversely, younger, quicker opponents, who were teenagers during the Warriors' peak years, now pose a threat to the franchise that once dominated the league.

As the Warriors experience this reality in real-time, they must understand that they will not be able to halt the inevitable evolution of the league.

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