The Golden State Warriors faced a shocking defeat against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night, losing 114-111 at the Chase Center. This loss not only stung for the Warriors but also pushed them down to the seventh seed in the Western Conference, putting their playoff hopes in jeopardy.
Harrison Barnes, a former Warrior, delivered the dagger with a fadeaway three-pointer at the buzzer, sending the Spurs into a frenzy and leaving the home crowd in dismay. With this victory, the Spurs, who were missing their top two players in Victor Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox, played the role of spoilers effectively.
The game began with the Warriors establishing a commanding presence, jumping out to an 11-0 lead. Their defense was relentless, forcing the Spurs into a timeout before they had even scored. By the end of the first quarter, the Warriors held a comfortable 32-23 lead.
However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the second quarter. The Spurs, led by Barnes and rookie Stephon Castle, mounted a stunning 24-3 run, turning an eight-point deficit into an eight-point lead of their own. They went into halftime with a 55-51 advantage, leaving the Warriors to regroup.
Returning from the break, the Warriors regained their composure and surged ahead, leading by as much as 14 points, with an 88-76 score heading into the fourth quarter. It seemed like they were in control, but the Spurs had other plans.
In the final quarter, the Spurs caught fire, shooting 6-for-9 from beyond the arc, while the Warriors struggled to find their rhythm, failing to make a single three-pointer in the fourth. With the game tied at 99 with just under five minutes left, the intensity ramped up.
Jimmy Butler put the Warriors ahead with two free throws, but Keldon Johnson quickly responded with a game-tying bucket. In a nail-biting finish, Draymond Green tied the game again with just three seconds remaining, setting the stage for Barnes to shine.
As the clock expired, Barnes delivered the decisive shot, sealing the game and leaving the Warriors and their fans in disbelief. After the game, frustration among Warriors fans was palpable, with many directing their anger towards head coach Steve Kerr for his decisions during the game.
“Every single Warriors fan should feel the DEVASTATION of Steve Kerr's idiocy after this loss,” tweeted one fan. “He just cost this team what feels like EVERYTHING.” Another added, “Loss is 100% on Steve Kerr and Draymond.”
Despite the loss, Steph Curry led the Warriors with 30 points, while Butler added 28. Green nearly achieved a triple-double with 13 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. However, the team's overall shooting woes—41.9% from the field and 33.3% from three—proved costly.
On the other side, Barnes finished with 20 points, shooting a perfect 6-for-9 from three-point range. Johnson and Castle each contributed 21 points, showcasing the Spurs' depth even without their stars.
With only two games left in the regular season, the Warriors must regroup quickly. They are now a game behind the four teams they need to keep pace with to avoid the play-in tournament. Their next challenge comes on Friday night, April 11, 2025, when they face the Portland Trail Blazers at 7:00 p.m. PT.
The playoff race in the Western Conference is heating up, and the Warriors will need to channel their frustrations into victories if they hope to secure a more favorable postseason position. With the stakes higher than ever, fans will be watching closely to see if the Warriors can bounce back from this devastating loss and reclaim their place among the top teams in the league.
