Boston Celtics hand Golden State Warriors their worst home defeat in 40 years
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Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) dunks the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
The Golden State Warriors experienced one of their most humiliating home losses in franchise history on Monday, as they were crushed 125-85 by the Boston Celtics. The defeat marked the worst home loss for the Warriors in four decades, dating back to a 149-104 drubbing by the Dallas Mavericks on January 15, 1985.
The Celtics, led by Jayson Tatum’s game-high 22 points, dominated the game from start to finish. Tatum also contributed nine rebounds, seven assists, and two steals. Kristaps Porziņģis and Jaylen Brown added 18 and 17 points, respectively, as the Celtics had six players scoring in double figures. The Warriors, on the other hand, struggled offensively and were unable to keep pace with the high-flying Celtics.
Stephen Curry was the Warriors’ leading scorer, finishing with 18 points, three rebounds, four assists, and two steals. However, Curry was one of only two Warriors to score in double digits, with Moses Moody contributing 13 points. After the game, Curry acknowledged the team’s struggles, saying, “A big part of our season has been we can’t score, we lose spirit, we lose life, we lose competitiveness. You can get away with it against some teams. Against the defending champs, it’s not a good formula for success.”
This loss was just the sixth time in the history of the Warriors’ franchise that they have been beaten by 40 or more points at home since the team moved to California in 1962. The Warriors’ 85 points were the lowest they have scored in a home game with Curry playing under head coach Steve Kerr, according to ESPN.
The Celtics took control of the game early, racing out to a double-digit lead. During a 7:32 stretch spanning the first and second quarters, the Warriors went without making a single field goal. Golden State’s shooting woes were particularly evident from beyond the arc, as they went a dismal 3-for-24 on three-point attempts in the first half. This marked their second-worst shooting percentage in a first half with at least 20 attempts since the play-by-play era began in the 1996-97 season.
By halftime, the Celtics had built a 15-point lead, and they never looked back. In the third quarter, Boston extended its advantage further, outscoring the Warriors 43-24. The Warriors finished the game shooting only 34.8% from the field, with forward Andrew Wiggins struggling particularly, making just one of his 11 shots.
Head coach Steve Kerr was clearly frustrated after the game, stating, “We’ve gotta flush this one down the toilet and get ready for Sac.” The Warriors are set to visit the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, and Kerr stressed the importance of moving forward from such a demoralizing loss. “We’ve been very competitive all year, and our guys have fought. We’ve had a handful of these where we just get blown out, and these are demoralizing.”
To add to the Warriors’ troubles, they were already dealing with significant injuries. Draymond Green was sidelined before the game with a calf injury, and the team was also missing Jonathan Kuminga, Brandon Podziemski, and Kyle Anderson. Curry, while acknowledging the challenge of playing without two starters, remained optimistic. “It’s gonna get tougher without two starters,” Curry said of Green and Kuminga. “But we gotta believe that you have enough to win any given night. You have to believe that we’re a team that can find a way to execute on both ends of the floor. It’s a mentality thing before it’s a physical thing, I think.”
With the loss, the Warriors find themselves in 11th place in the Western Conference with a record of 21-21. They are currently on a rough 9-18 stretch and are far from the team that defeated the Celtics in the 2022 NBA Finals to claim their fourth championship in eight seasons.
In contrast, the Celtics continue to impress this season. With a 30-13 record, they remain one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference, currently sitting in second place behind the scorching Cleveland Cavaliers. The Celtics’ dominant performance against the Warriors further solidified their status as one of the favorites to defend their NBA title.
As the season progresses, both teams face crucial tests ahead. For the Warriors, overcoming their recent struggles and injuries will be essential for any playoff aspirations, while the Celtics are poised to continue their quest for another championship.
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