The Golden State Warriors are experiencing their first real test of the season after dropping back-to-back games against the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers, exposing potential vulnerabilities in their championship strategy.

Head coach Steve Kerr wasn’t mincing words about the team’s performance, emphasizing that these losses felt particularly preventable. The Warriors, who started strong with a 4-1 record, suddenly found themselves struggling against teams missing key players.

Steph Curry’s performance was a mixed bag, scoring 24 points but shooting a modest 8-for-23 and committing five critical turnovers. The team’s fourth-quarter collapses were especially concerning, particularly in the 114-109 defeat to the Pacers where they squandered a nine-point lead.

New additions like Jimmy Butler showed promise, contributing 20 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds. Young players Gui Santos, Moses Moody, and Brandin Podziemski also demonstrated potential energy and skill off the bench.

The Warriors’ challenging schedule continues with upcoming games against Phoenix, Sacramento, Denver, Oklahoma City, and San Antonio. Playing five of their 15 back-to-back games in the first five weeks adds additional complexity to their early-season challenges.

Curry remains optimistic, stating the team can recapture their initial momentum. “These were two games we really should have had,” he explained. “Hopefully it lights a fire in all of us to get back on the horse”.

As the team returns home, questions linger about their ability to maintain consistency and overcome unexpected obstacles in what promises to be a demanding NBA season.