Curry’s Tough Game and Another 140+ Point Loss

Stephen Curry had no clear explanation for his rough performance in the Golden State Warriors’ 144-93 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday. After going 0-of-7 from the field, Curry simply shrugged and told reporters, “First time for everything, right? I never thought that would be a situation or a result of the game. From the very jump, they kind of punched us in the mouth. We didn’t have an answer. … That was kind of embarrassing.”

This was just the seventh time in Curry’s 977 regular-season games that he failed to make a shot. Four of those games came when he played less than 10 minutes, but his seven attempts against the Grizzlies were the most he’s ever had in a game without a make.

“Damn, that happens,” Draymond Green said when he heard about Curry’s stats. “Oh s—. That’s crazy … they did a good job. Give them some credit.”

Curry’s two points on Thursday were his fewest since March 8, 2018, when he scored the same against the San Antonio Spurs in just two minutes of play before rolling his ankle in the first quarter. On Thursday, he played 24 minutes without making a field goal, a new career first.

But Curry’s struggles weren’t the Warriors’ only issue. The 51-point loss to the Grizzlies marked the largest defeat margin in the NBA this season and was tied for the fourth-largest road loss in Warriors history. Draymond Green also had a tough night, going scoreless on four shots in 19 minutes. Andrew Wiggins was the only Warrior starter to score more than five points. Dennis Schröder, in his first game after joining the team from the Brooklyn Nets, finished with just five points and four turnovers.

The optimism the Warriors had at the beginning of the season is quickly fading. After starting the year 12-3, they’ve now lost nine of their last 11 games. Thursday’s loss was the second straight game in which their defense allowed over 140 points, following a 143-point game given up to the Dallas Mavericks on Dec. 15.

Without Curry performing at his usual All-NBA level, the Warriors are struggling to get wins. He will look to turn things around for the team when they face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday.