The Golden State Warriors’ problems continued on Saturday, as the Los Angeles Clippers won 113-112 thanks to a game-winning three-pointer by Paul George in the final seconds.
For the most part, the Warriors held a comfortable lead. The Clippers, on the other hand, began to claw their way back in the fourth quarter before winning the game in the dying seconds.
The Clippers cut the deficit to two points with a Kawhi Leonard layup in the last 30 seconds before Stephen Curry missed a step-back jumper to put the game away.
Russell Westbrook grabbed the rebound and handed it to Paul George, who dribbled down the floor and drained a three-pointer over Klay Thompson to give the Clippers a one-point lead with 8.9 seconds remaining.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr called a timeout to reorganize, only for Draymond Green to miss the Warriors’ game-winning shot.
Following a six-game losing streak, the Warriors are currently 3-3 in their last six games.
Kerr told KNBR on Thursday that his team’s difficulties nearly put him in trouble with his wife, Margot. After Golden State fell 124-123 to the Sacramento Kings in a similar fashion, Kerr said Margot instructed him to store his stress until the playoffs.
‘I’ll tell you what happened; I went home from Sacramento, I was up for a bit, I was thinking about everything, I got into bed, and [I was] tossing and turning,’ Kerr explained to KNBR.
‘It’s probably two o’clock in the morning, and Margot wakes up and says, ‘Jesus, it’s only November. ‘Could you please just relax?’ ‘What are you talking about?’ I ask. And she says, ‘All I can hear are these heavy sighs, tossing and turning, just go to sleep.’
After a 6-1 start, the 2022 NBA Champions have a 9-11 record this season.
The Warriors’ difficulties have been exacerbated by injury concerns for key players, particularly Green, who leads their defense.
Green was suspended for five games earlier this month for choking Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert. Green got up a technical foul in his return against the Kings, which boosted Sacramento’s comeback.
Golden State has also been without important rotation player Gary Payton II due to a calf strain and point guard Christ Paul due to a lower leg nerve issue.
The Warriors will aim to rebound against the Portland Trailblazers on December 6.