On Monday, the Warriors were back on national television, where they belonged, with a rejuvenated Stephen Curry, the morale boost of Draymond Green's return, and the challenge of taking on the Memphis Grizzlies, who were without three of their top four players.
Nevertheless, the outcome added even more pressure to a Golden State front staff that was already reeling from gazing at an 18-22 record while possessing the NBA's biggest salary.
The Warriors' 116-107 setback at FedExForum in response to obviously advantageous conditions is emblematic of a season in which tragedy seemed to follow them even in the most unlikely of situations.
According to Green, who spoke to reporters in Memphis, "You've got to build great habits and right now, this team, we have bad habits.". And it all begins with my suspension and all the naiveté. Things like that are important. Our habits need to be improved.
No one, not even Green, could turn back the tide that the Warriors were powering against themselves. What had been a winnable game up until the last eight minutes was ruined by their worst tendencies: too many turnovers, too many fouls, and an inadequate offense and defense from beyond the arc.
Coach Steve Kerr admitted that the team's offensive struggles contributed to their dismal defensive performance. Fifteen miscues that result in thirty points. Making as many three-pointers and transitions as feasible was their basic strategy. And that's the story: we fouled out 25 times while they fouled out 12.
It was a really clean game that they played. The ball was handled by them. It wasn't us. We were on the verge of fouling ourselves while trying to reach. Steph committed many early fouls, and our team was giving the ball away at an alarming rate, giving the other team confidence.
Marcus Smart, Steven Adams, Ja Morant, and Desmond Bane were all inactive for the Grizzlies. Jaren Jackson Jr. was one of five role players in their starting lineup, and they attacked the Warriors' defense with 54 3-point attempts, 20 of which were successful. Memphis (15-25) has 39 games in which it failed to make 20 3-pointers.