Warriors lose fourth-straight game after second-half collapse to Magic
The Warriors' road woes continue as they remain winless in their five
games away from Chase Center.
>Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) shoots in front of
Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) during the first half of an NBA
basketball game Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP
Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
By MADELINE KENNEY | mkenney@bayareanewsgroup.com | Bay Area News Group
PUBLISHED: November 3, 2022 at 4:26 p.m. | UPDATED: November 3, 2022 at
7:42 p.m.
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2022/11/03/warriors-lose-fourth-straight-game-after-second-half-collapse-to-magic/

ORLANDO, Fla. — On a night when Klay Thompson and Kevon Looney scored
their season-high in points and Stephen Curry dropped another 30-plus
point performance, the Warriors once again faltered late Thursday,
falling to the young, injury-plagued Orlando Magic 130-129.

Thompson, who played his best game of the season, had a buzzer-beating
shot hit the rim as time expired.

The Warriors’ road woes continue as they remain winless in their five
games away from Chase Center.

Thursday night was the Warriors’ game to lose. Ultimately, it ended up
being the same story, different night. The Magic attempted 46 free
throws to the Warriors’ 15 as Golden State’s fouling issues persist.

The Warriors led by as many as 16 points in the third quarter but
entered the fourth with just a two-point advantage after the Magic had
outscored them 43-33 to start the second half. They didn’t get enough
stops and had too many untimely turnovers that the Magic capitalized on.

“It goes back to our will to defend and our attention to detail on that
side of the ball,” Draymond Green said.

With so many young players and new faces being incorporated, the
Warriors, mainly the reserves, haven’t been able to build a defensive
identity and find cohesiveness on that side of the ball. That’s part of
the reason, coach Steve Kerr said after the loss that the Warriors
double-figure lead never felt solid.

“I told the guys we have to save us because nobody else is coming,” Kerr
said. “Every team can’t wait to play us… We’re the defending champs, we
come in here and they can’t wait to play us. And if you’re not defending
and you’re fouling, you’re putting yourself in a dangerous spot.”

Curry tried to save the Warriors, but even his efforts weren’t enough.

A Curry 3-pointer tied the game at 126 with a minute remaining. But
Jalen Suggs responded on the other end with a 3 of his own. Ray Charles’
song “Hit the Road Jack” started blaring in an electric Orlando arena as
Suggs went to the line for a pair of free throws. He missed the first
one, but made the second.

Thompson hit a corner 3 to pull within one of the Magic, who turned the
ball over on their next possession with five seconds left.

Thompson couldn’t stir up the same magic with his next shot.

“Klay tried to free himself up, I think he took one dribble and pulled
up and shot that floater, not an easy shot,” Kerr said. “But Steph [who
was double teamed] made the right play.”

Orlando won their second game of the season as the reigning champs lost
their fourth consecutive game.

Curry scored 11 of his team-high 39 points in the fourth quarter. He
also contributed nine assists and three rebounds.

Thompson and Curry combined to go 15-of-30 from deep. That alone, Green
said, should’ve won the Warriors their game.

Thompson opened the night nailing his first three shots from deep,
including one after picking off a Franz Wagner pass, and didn’t cool off
from there. By midway through the third quarter, Thompson had already
notched a season high in 3s, making six in 17 minutes.

He finished with a season-high 27 points on 13-of-22 shooting (7-of-15
from deep). He also grabbed four rebounds and handed out three assists.

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Looney was also impressive, recording a career-high 17 points on 8-of-11
shooting. In addition, he grabbed seven rebounds and had three assists.

Meanwhile, Wiseman had another tough night. The Warriors led by six in
the opening quarter when he and Poole checked in for Thompson and
Looney. The Magic went on a 9-2 run before Wiseman went back to the bench.

He disrupted a pass to Wendell Carter Jr. in the third quarter, but
failed to box out and grab rebounds. He picked up a tech in the third
quarter for throwing the ball in frustration after getting called for a
third foul.

Wiseman finished with just two points on 1-of-3 shooting and three
rebounds in 10 minutes.

The Warriors, who didn’t lose four straight games last season until
after the All-Star break, are now 3-6 and will play the second game of a
back-to-back Friday night in New Orleans before returning home after an
ugly trip out east.

Golden State played all their starters, except Thompson, on the backend
of the team’s first back-to-back to start the trip.

“We gotta bounce back,” Kerr said. “It’s been a tough trip, one more
game and there will be a lot of work ahead.”