Warriors Fall Short Against Mavericks Without Curry and Green
The Golden State Warriors faced a tough challenge against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center, missing both Stephen Curry and Draymond Green due to injuries.
Despite a valiant effort, the Warriors succumbed to a 109-99 defeat, further solidifying their position as the No. 10 seed in the competitive Western Conference.
Jonathan Kuminga led the charge for the Warriors with an impressive 27-point performance on 8-of-17 shooting. However, the absence of Green’s defensive presence and perimeter play was keenly felt, as the Mavericks capitalized on the opportunity to dominate the paint, with big men Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II anchoring their defense and tallying a combined 13 blocks.
The Warriors struggled to find their rhythm without Curry, maintaining a 1-5 record in games where their star guard is sidelined. Meanwhile, Dallas’ Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic showcased their prowess, with Irving contributing 23 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds, while Doncic added 21 points and nine assists before exiting the game in the fourth quarter due to hamstring tightness.
Looking ahead, the Warriors aim to bounce back as they conclude their three-game road trip against the Los Angeles Lakers, trailing them by 1.5 games for the No. 9 seed. With Curry expected to rejoin the team following practice with the Santa Cruz Warriors, Golden State remains hopeful for a strong finish to the season.
