The Golden State Warriors suffered a tough 124-115 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on March 22, struggling right from the start. Without Stephen Curry, their offensive firepower was limited, but it was their defense that ultimately let them down.
Draymond Green took responsibility for the team’s defensive struggles and didn’t hold back in his assessment.
“That was a bad loss—terrible, really,” Green said, per The Athletic’s Anthony Slater. “When you’re competing for something, with only 11 games left, you can’t afford losses like this. There’s too much at stake. We have to win the games we’re supposed to win. Even without Steph, this was one we should have taken. Tough loss.”
Curry remains without a set return date after injuring his back against the Toronto Raptors. However, he is expected to rejoin the team during their road trip, which includes a stop in Miami to face the Heat. Despite his absence, Green believes the Warriors still have the talent to win and must prove they can do so.
Slow Start Dooms the Warriors
The game slipped away early, as the Warriors found themselves down 40-23 at the end of the first quarter. Though they made several attempts to close the gap, the Hawks countered each run and never let them get too close.
“We just weren’t ready to play,” Green admitted. “We came in expecting to win without putting in the effort. Defensively, we got picked apart in the first quarter, and from there, we were fighting an uphill battle. They got comfortable and took it to us. We have to be better—starting with me.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the loss, the Warriors have been playing some of their best basketball over the past 20 games, thanks in large part to the addition of Jimmy Butler. Butler led the team in scoring with 25 points, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win.
The Warriors will have a chance to bounce back against Butler’s former team, the Miami Heat. With Miami on a 10-game losing streak, Golden State will be eager to grab a much-needed win—one that would be especially meaningful for Butler.
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