The Golden State Warriors suffered another setback against the Toronto Raptors. It was a painful 118:133 defeat. The point guard doesn’t mince his words and head coach Steve Kerr also found clear words.

“We were screwed from the start today,” Stephen Curry didn’t beat around the bush for long. “It was really hard today.” That wasn’t just true for the team, but also for Curry himself, who failed to score 10 points for only the second time this season. Only two of his 14 attempts went through the net, nothing went from downtown (0/9 3P). For only the second time this season, the 35-year-old didn’t hit a single three-pointer, and the superstar even managed a single field goal in the first half.

And given the condition of the Warriors, that simply cannot be compensated for. The score was 76:49 at halftime and there were boos from the audience in the Chase Center. The Warriors got to -9 again, but even the Raptors, who were mediocre offensively, couldn’t get any stops.

Coach Steve Kerr’s new starting five, the 13th this season, didn’t work, this time Kerr tried it on the wing along with Jonathan Kuminga and Andrew Wiggins. A combination that hasn’t worked all year. If the two are on the field together, the Dubs have a net rating of -13.3. Kerr also highlighted these numbers in the past, but gave it a try anyway.

Kerr believes the Warriors got "punched in the mouth" in a "really ugly" first half 😬 pic.twitter.com/z1mncnU7p1

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) January 8, 2024

Golden State Warriors: Wiggins and Kuminga don’t work out

“In theory, these are our longest and most athletic players,” Kerr explained his approach. “We’re not a good defensive team, so we wanted to try that. We’re still looking for our best two-way lineup, but it didn’t work.”

Both forwards were replaced in the starting five in the second half, Wiggins only played 17 minutes, while Kuminga even had to play in garbage time. “I just wanted to see action in the second half. That means that the defense is talking. We were quiet in the first half.” And things actually got better after the change. Brandin Podziemski, Dario Saric and Kevon Looney had new energy and the Warriors reduced the difference from -27 to just 9 points, but when Wiggins returned, the Raptors immediately made another run.

After all: Draymond Green was already back on the bench in civilian clothes, so the Warriors may soon – if desired – be able to fall back on their tried-and-tested lineup of Curry, Klay Thompson, Wiggins, Green and Looney, even if they are -8 this season .0 stands. “Two years ago it was the best five in the NBA, so I had a good feeling before the season. Add to that the bench with Chris [Paul], Dario [Saric] and a few youngsters – that seemed to be a good mix on paper ” said Kerr.

Golden State Warriors: Can the season be saved with trades?

But he also stated that the suspensions, injuries and poor performances had raised questions. “We’re still looking,” Kerr admitted.

This shouldn’t just apply to the lineups. The Warriors were known for many years for not making much action at the trade deadline, but long-time GM Bob Myers left the Dubs before the season. The rumors about Kuminga don’t stop , and there are always rumors about Wiggins and even Thompson. Chris Paul is another trade chip, but his broken hand (four to six week break) will likely make a trade even more difficult.

With a record of 17-19, the Warriors are only in eleventh place in the West and are already 4.5 games behind sixth place.