Rounding up all Warriors and NBA related news for Tuesday, December 31st.
In today’s Dub Hub:
- Steph Curry calls the Warriors a “very average” team following their 18-point loss to the Cavaliers.
- Steve Kerr says Buddy Hield will “bounce back” from his recent shooting slump.
- Grizzlies’ Ja Morant listed as week-to-week with an AC sprain in his shoulder.
The Golden State Warriors suffered a 113-95 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night, dropping their record back to .500 on the season. As the calendar year nears its end, Warriors superstar Steph Curry offered a blunt assessment of the team, describing them as “very average.”
*Checking in on how the Warriors are doing*
STEPH CURRY: “As the kids say we’re very mid right now.” pic.twitter.com/Cucxu8Voxe
— KNBR (@KNBR) December 31, 2024
At 16-16, the Warriors’ record reflects their inconsistent play. They’ve performed well against weaker competition—as evidenced by their strong start to the season—but they’ve struggled to compete against the NBA’s top teams.
Their offensive shortcomings have been especially glaring. The Warriors rank 25th in the league with a true shooting percentage of 54.9% and 23rd with an offensive rating of 110.7.
Head coach Steve Kerr echoed the sentiment of mediocrity after the game but remained optimistic about the team’s room for improvement.
Steve Kerr: “You are what your record says you are. I think there’s a lot of truth to that.” pic.twitter.com/t0v3ataY5X
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) December 31, 2024
For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Tuesday, December 31st:
Warriors News:
Warriors veterans have devolved into a debilitating team-wide shooting slump | The Athletic
In the Golden State Warriors’ 113-95 blowout loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night, Dennis Schröder followed a lefty scoop layup with a wing 3 around the nine-minute mark of the fourth quarter. It mattered little, trimming Cleveland’s lead to 18. Within 66 seconds, the Cavs bumped it back to 23. The Warriors showed little resistance against a team significantly superior and lost again to drop to 16-16.
“We’re just very average,” Steph Curry said.
What we learned as Warriors’ offense stalls in blowout loss to Cavs | NBC Sports Bay Area
How bad was it for the Warriors? They scored 11 points in the quarter, their lowest total in any quarter this season. They shot 4-of-24 from the field and missed all eight of their 3-point shots. And it wasn’t a matter of great defense by the Cavaliers, as they missed open shots from all three levels – even failed to score a single point off Cleveland’s five turnovers in the quarter.
Nine different Warriors got minutes in the quarter, and only two – Andrew Wiggins and Kuminga – scored field goals. The other seven went a combined 0-of-13.
This was the abyss, for it can’t get any lower.
Steve Kerr on Buddy Hield’s shooting slump: ”All it takes is one for Buddy and he’ll bounce back”
Do you think [Buddy Hield is] starting to get into his head a little bit?
STEVE KERR: “Yeah… that can mess with you when you’re missing easy ones. All it takes is one for Buddy and he’ll bounce back.”
Hield is 1/15 from the field and 0/10 from three in his last two games. pic.twitter.com/A81eSThPc8
— KNBR (@KNBR) December 31, 2024
What’s next for Zion Williamson? The ‘hardest question in the NBA’ | ESPN
ESPN talked to two team executives at the recent G-League showcase in Orlando and both pointed to Golden State as a logical fit for Williamson.
The Warriors have $40 million in expiring contracts, up to three first-round picks to trade, young players in Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski and the $26.2 million salary of Andrew Wiggins.
As ESPN’s Shams Charania reported in December, the Warriors are exploring the market for an All-Star to pair next to Stephen Curry.
Cavs’ head coach Kenny Atkinson shares what he learned during his time with the Warriors
Kenny Atkinson called his time with the Warriors “finishing school” for him: “I don’t think I was a complete coach until I came here and, quite honestly, learned from the best. The best players, the best coach.” pic.twitter.com/GpzJtRayKu
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) December 31, 2024
NBA News:
At 40, LeBron says he could play at high level 5 to 7 more years — but won’t | ESPN
Though James was unsure of the Lakers’ championship chances, he was firmer in his belief that he will not play for another franchise.
“That’s the plan,” James said. “I would love for it to end here. That would be the plan. I came here to play the last stage of my career and to finish it off here. But I’m also not silly … [not] to know the business of basketball. But I think my relationship with this organization speaks for itself. And hopefully, I don’t got to go nowhere before my career is over.”
Westbrook has ‘perfect’ triple-double, 0 turnovers in Nuggets’ 132-121 win over Jazz | AP News
Russell Westbrook became the second player in NBA history to have a triple-double with zero turnovers and shoot 100% from the field and the free-throw line in the Denver Nuggets’ 132-121 win over the Utah Jazz on Monday night.
Westbrook finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. He shot 7 for 7 from the field and 2 for 2 from the free-throw line to join Domantas Sabonis in the history books.
Nikola Jokic also had a triple-double with 36 points, 22 rebounds and 11 assists, and Jamal Murray had 10 assists to go along with 20 points.
Grizzlies announce point guard Ja Morant will be week-to-week with an AC sprain in his shoulder
The @memgrizz today announced the following medical update for Ja Morant: pic.twitter.com/23eKerTN6j
— Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) December 31, 2024
In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:
Steph Curry’s trick shot catalogue is the greatest of all time
Steph’s trick shots remind us that basketball doesn’t have to be all grind and grit. Sometimes, it’s just about having fun, trying something crazy, and making magic happen. And no one makes magic quite like him.
Follow @unstoppablebaby on Twitter for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.