The Golden State Warriors wrapped up their preseason with a 106-103 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers at Chase Center on Friday, exposing glaring issues that could haunt them as the regular season looms. Missing key players Jimmy Butler (ankle), Moses Moody (calf), and Jonathan Kuminga (ankle), the Warriors struggled to find cohesion, committing a staggering 23 turnovers—a recurring problem that plagued them throughout all five preseason games. One defensive breakdown in particular, involving a collision in transition, encapsulated the alarming disarray that defined their night.
A Shaky Start Without Key Pieces
With Butler, Moody, and Kuminga sidelined, head coach Steve Kerr leaned heavily on his core lineup, starting Stephen Curry alongside Al Horford, Draymond Green, Will Richard, and Brandin Podziemski. Curry, who played 29 minutes, delivered a solid 20 points, four rebounds, and five assists, but even his brilliance couldn’t mask the team’s overall sloppiness. The Clippers, despite resting stars Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and Chris Paul, capitalized on Golden State’s miscues, led by Keiondray Sanders’ 25 points and a team effort that saw 11 steals and four blocks.
The Warriors’ 23 turnovers were a glaring issue, with Brandin Podziemski (six) and Draymond Green (five) leading the team in giveaways. “We definitely had a turnover problem throughout the preseason,” Kerr admitted postgame. “But I’m confident when the lights go on Tuesday, our guys will be locked in.” Kerr attributed some of the sloppiness to inconsistent lineups during the preseason, but he was quick to dismiss that as an excuse for the “careless” mistakes.
The Defensive Breakdown That Said It All
The night’s most telling moment came early in the first quarter when Podziemski, a third-year guard, led a fastbreak only to collide with a Clippers defender at halfcourt. The jarring impact left Podziemski struggling to find his footing, slipping and visibly favoring his left leg. Trainers and teammates escorted him slowly to the bench, where he was evaluated by vice president of player health and performance Rick Celebrini. Diagnosed with a hip contusion and deemed questionable, Podziemski eventually returned, but the incident underscored the Warriors’ vulnerability without their full roster.
This single play—a botched transition that led to a momentary scare—highlighted the Warriors’ lack of defensive communication and coordination. The Clippers exploited similar lapses throughout the game, shooting 47.7% from the field and converting 15 offensive rebounds into second-chance points. Golden State’s defense, typically a strength, looked disjointed, allowing the Clippers to dictate the pace despite their own depleted lineup.
Bright Spots Amid the Chaos
While the loss exposed weaknesses, there were flashes of promise. Curry’s 4-for-8 performance from beyond the arc showed he’s ready for the regular season, and Draymond Green (nine points, six rebounds) and Al Horford (10 points) provided veteran stability in limited minutes. Will Richard and Buddy Hield added 13 and 11 points, respectively, though their efficiency (Richard 5-for-14, Hield 3-for-9 from three) left room for improvement. The Warriors also matched the Clippers’ physicality with 11 steals and four blocks, showing they can still disrupt opponents when focused.
However, the team’s 46 three-point attempts, with only a 32.6% success rate, raised questions about their reliance on perimeter shooting without key playmakers like Butler and Kuminga. The absence of these dynamic wings left the Warriors scrambling to create consistent offense, often forcing contested shots or ill-advised passes that led to turnovers.
The Warriors now turn their attention to their regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday. With Butler, Moody, and Kuminga’s status uncertain, Kerr will need to address the turnover epidemic and shore up defensive communication. The preseason revealed a team with potential but also one that looks lost without its full complement of stars. If the Warriors can’t clean up their careless play, their season could get off to a rocky start.
“This one defensive breakdown summed up the entire alarming night,” an observer noted, pointing to Podziemski’s collision as a microcosm of Golden State’s struggles. As the regular season begins, the Warriors must find their rhythm quickly—or risk being left behind in a competitive Western Conference.