The Warriors have won, but they are truly in a state of panic! After the game, Curry's words ignited public opinion: "Winning a game cannot relax our vigilance; the Warriors' crisis has just begun." This thrilling 109-105 victory over the Suns not only saw the score tightly contested until the last second but also revealed the unease and hidden concerns behind the Warriors.
This match was a crucial battle for positioning between the Warriors and the Suns. Both teams had identical records of 15 wins and 15 losses before the game, ranking tenth and eleventh in the West respectively. The loser would plummet into the perilous play-in tournament.
However, despite having a full squad, the Warriors had only managed three victories in their past 15 games, showing poor form; the Suns were in even worse shape, with Booker injured, Beal struggling, and Durant unable to carry the team alone.
Against this backdrop, this matchup was not just a contest of scores but a life-and-death struggle. At a critical moment, Kuminga stepped up! Coming off the bench for 34 minutes, he scored a game-high 34 points along with 9 rebounds and 3 assists.
He continued his hot streak from the previous game, scoring 12 points in the first quarter and another 13 in the fourth. Especially in the final few minutes, he repeatedly drew fouls and stepped up to the free-throw line, helping the team complete the comeback and secure the win.
Some say that Kuminga saved the Warriors and, more importantly, saved Curry. However, Curry's performance sparked heated discussions. He shot 9-for-22 from the field, including 4-of-13 from beyond the arc, finishing with 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.
While his statistics were average, in the crucial moments of the fourth quarter, he missed consecutive one-on-one shots, which once put the team in danger. Curry is the soul of the Warriors; when he is on the court, the team can always catch up in scoring, and when he is off the court, the team tends to lose points. His +20 plus-minus rating throughout the game also demonstrated his impact.
But his failure to close out the game in the final moments still raised concerns about his form. Green's performance was eye-catching.
It seemed as if he had "time-traveled back eight years," shooting 6-for-9 from the field, including 3-of-5 from three-point range, tallying 16 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals.
In the second quarter, he hit three consecutive three-pointers to help the team stay close in scoring; defensively, he successfully limited Durant's performance, causing this "Death" to go silent at the critical moment.
That familiar passion and defensive dominance seemed to bring back memories of Green at his peak. On the Suns' side, Durant scored an empty 31 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 blocks, but his 8 turnovers directly cost the game.
In the fourth quarter, the Suns once led by 8 points, but Durant missed three consecutive shots and made a low-level mistake, allowing the Warriors to complete the comeback.
Some lamented that while Durant's stats looked good, his problem of "disappearing" in key moments still persisted. Beal, on the other hand, was even more lackluster, performing averagely throughout the game. The Suns' "Big Three" failed to produce the expected chemistry.
What makes Suns fans even more desperate is that the team's future draft picks have almost all been traded away. The current Suns have their salary cap locked down, yet their roster lacks depth, making it hopeless for them to contend for a championship or rebuild.
After winning this game, the Warriors' record improved to 16 wins and 15 losses, moving up to tenth place in the West. However, the joy of victory did not last long because what awaits the Warriors next is a series of opponents dubbed the "devil schedule" - the Cavaliers, 76ers, Grizzlies, Kings, and Heat.
These five teams, in terms of both record and lineup strength, far surpass the current Warriors. Curry also frankly stated after the game that the team's recent struggles have made him very worried, and they must find a way to overcome these difficulties as soon as possible.
The Warriors' problems are obvious: the young players lack stability, the bench does not contribute enough, and the veterans' form fluctuates unpredictably.
Although Curry and Green are still the backbone of the team, they can no longer change the course of the game with their individual efforts as they did in the past. Kuminga's breakout is undoubtedly a delight, but if the Warriors want to return to the championship contention, they obviously need more changes and reinforcements.
The Suns' problems are equally significant. The combination of Durant, Beal, and Booker looks luxurious, but their playing styles overlap, lacking defense and organizational skills, leading to an imbalanced attack and defense.
Worse still, the Suns do not have enough salary cap space to fill the gaps in their roster. The high stakes of betting on Durant and Beal now seem increasingly heavy.
Competition in the West is becoming more intense, and former powerhouses like the Warriors and Suns are now struggling at the edge of the playoffs.
For the Warriors, winning this game is just a breather; the real "life-or-death test" has just begun. For the Suns, if they do not find a solution to their problems, this team may sink completely in the coming years.
The focus of fan discussions centers on Kuminga's growth, Durant's performance, and the future direction of the Warriors and Suns. Some believe that the Warriors need more young blood like Kuminga; others think that Durant is no longer the "Death" who could decide a game with one blow.
This game is not just a battle for victory and defeat but a reflection of the fate of both teams. The charm of basketball lies in this: in one game, beyond victory and defeat, there are endless stories and possibilities.
For the Warriors and Suns, this game may just be the beginning. How their future unfolds depends entirely on how they face the challenges ahead.