Dub Hub, Daily Warriors Links for 1/11/23: Warriors receive pivotal ‘wake-up call’ after loss to shorthanded Suns

Good Morning Dub Nation,

The Golden State Warriors finished their eight-game homestand with a record of 5-3 after losing to the Phoenix Suns last night, 125-113. There was no explanation for the loss other than the Warriors greatly underestimated a Phoenix team that had six players ruled out due to injury.

Poor shot selection and bad defense were the key factors in this one. Golden State often settled for momentum-killing deep threes, highlighting the team’s desperate need for someone who can put pressure on the rim. They finished the night shooting 37.5% from deep on 48 attempts and just 34 points in the paint.

Meanwhile, their defense for most of the night left much to be desired. Despite a surge at the end, it was too little too late as the Warriors didn’t turn up their defensive intensity until late in the fourth quarter when they finally took advantage of the fact that Phoenix’s injuries left them with no real point guard to bring the ball up the court.

Although frustrated with the loss, head coach Steve Kerr says it should serve as a much-needed wake-up call for his team that now stands at 20-21 halfway through the season.

The disappointing loss spoiled the highly anticipated return of Stephen Curry who played in his first game back after missing the last 11 due to a shoulder injury. Curry struggled for most of the night, finishing with 24 points on 8-of-22 shooting and five threes in 31 minutes of action.

The team now gets two days of rest before they begin another long five-game road trip starting with a matchup against the San Antonio Spurs on Friday.

Here are the rest of today’s stories:

In case you missed it from Golden State of Mind:

• The Warriors’ 94-feet of pressure against the Suns was approximately 40-minutes too late
• Player grades: Warriors vs. Suns
• Full squad Warriors get humbled by junior varsity Suns
• Podcast: Warriors vs. Suns
• Steph Curry is back!
• Otto Porter Jr. undergoes season-ending surgery

Other Warriors News:

• Steph Curry returns, but Warriors suffer bad home loss to the depleted Suns (The Athletic)
• Stephen Curry scores 24, but return isn’t enough to lift Warriors (ESPN)
• Steve Kerr hoping Warriors’ ugly Suns loss provides ‘jolt’ team needs (NBC Sports Bay Area)
• Steph Curry humorously conflicted about Damion Lee’s big game vs. Warriors (NBC Sports Bay Area)
• Golden State Warriors GM Bob Myers Launching Interview Podcast With Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions (Yahoo Sports)

NBA News:

• NBA Power Rankings: Nuggets powering past NBA’s elite, Kevin Durant injury could be big help for Boston (ESPN)
• Dewayne Dedmon ejected after bizarre sideline scene in Miami (ESPN)
• Jimmy Butler, Heat set NBA free-throw record in win over Thunder (NBA)
• Magic’s Jonathan Isaac set to play in G League for increased practice reps (NBA)
• Inside Donovan Mitchell’s warm and emotional welcome in return to Utah (The Athletic)