The Warriors’ season hit a terrible low point when they lost at home for the first time under Steve Kerr.

The Golden State Warriors have long been one of the NBA’s most successful and dominant teams, achieving a level of excellence that few teams in basketball history have matched. Under the guidance of head coach Steve Kerr, they have transformed into a modern basketball powerhouse, celebrated for their innovative approach to the game, particularly with their emphasis on three-point shooting. However, even the best teams can experience moments of humbling defeat, and for the Warriors, their season hit a terrible low point when they suffered their worst home loss under Kerr, marking a jarring moment in what had otherwise been a period of unprecedented success.

In this article, we will examine this disastrous home loss, its impact on the team, and the broader implications it carries for the Warriors as they try to navigate the challenges of the 2025 NBA season. We will also explore how this defeat stands as a significant turning point for a franchise accustomed to winning and how it might reshape the team’s trajectory moving forward.

The Warriors’ Era of Excellence Under Steve Kerr

Before delving into the specific details of this crushing defeat, it’s essential to understand the context of the Warriors’ dominance under Kerr. When Kerr took over as head coach in 2014, he inherited a team that was already brimming with talent. The Warriors had developed into a competitive force in the NBA, but Kerr’s leadership elevated the team to another level. His commitment to ball movement, spacing, and a modern style of play centered around the three-point shot fundamentally transformed the Warriors’ identity.

At the heart of this transformation was Stephen Curry, who, under Kerr’s tutelage, evolved into the greatest shooter the game has ever seen. Alongside Klay Thompson, the Warriors built a dynamic backcourt that redefined perimeter shooting in the NBA. Under Kerr, the Warriors won three NBA championships in five seasons (2015, 2017, and 2018), making them the envy of the league. Their dominance on the court, particularly in the postseason, made Oracle Arena in Oakland one of the most difficult venues for opposing teams.

The Warriors also pioneered the concept of “small ball” lineups, with Draymond Green playing a crucial role as a versatile defender, playmaker, and leader on the floor. Kerr’s system, which revolved around fast-paced offense, relentless ball movement, and three-point shooting, allowed the Warriors to dominate in a way that had not been seen before in NBA history. This era of success culminated in a historic 73-9 regular season record in 2015-16, though their eventual loss in the NBA Finals to the Cleveland Cavaliers remains a bitter memory.

But despite this heartbreak, the Warriors quickly rebounded, adding another superstar in Kevin Durant, and returned to their championship-winning ways, capturing two more titles in 2017 and 2018. Throughout Kerr’s tenure, the Warriors’ dominance at home was a hallmark of their success. They became nearly unbeatable in the friendly confines of their home arena, further solidifying their place as one of the NBA’s most successful franchises of the 2010s.

A Frustrating Start to the 2025 Season

After a couple of injury-plagued seasons, including a major setback with the Achilles injury to Klay Thompson, the Warriors entered the 2025 season hoping to regain their championship form. While Curry, Thompson, and Green remained the core of the team, the Warriors had undergone a few changes in the offseason, adding new faces to bolster their bench depth and infuse some youth into the roster.

Despite their strong track record, the Warriors’ 2025 season didn’t go as smoothly as expected. Injuries, inconsistencies on both ends of the floor, and questions about the team’s overall chemistry created a sense of unease. Curry, still one of the league’s top players, had faced occasional injuries himself, while Thompson’s return from a significant injury was proving to be a more gradual process than anticipated. Meanwhile, Green, often the emotional heart and defensive anchor of the team, had struggled with his shooting and overall performance.

The Warriors found themselves grappling with a mix of frustration and uncertainty, particularly in the midst of an unpredictable Western Conference. The competition in the West had only grown fiercer, with teams like the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, and Los Angeles Lakers becoming increasingly competitive, while the rise of younger teams like the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans meant that the Warriors had to fight for every win.

However, it was the Warriors’ home loss that crystallized the sense that something was wrong within the team. Oracle Arena, now under a new name following the team’s relocation to the Chase Center in San Francisco, had long been a fortress for the Warriors. But in a shocking turn of events, they suffered a home defeat that would stand as their worst loss under Steve Kerr, signaling that their journey back to the top would be far more challenging than anyone could have predicted.

The Worst Home Defeat Under Steve Kerr

The game in question came at a crucial point in the season when the Warriors needed to solidify their position in the playoff race. At home, they were expected to handle a relatively weaker opponent—a team that had been struggling in the standings. Yet, in an unfathomable turn of events, the Warriors were thoroughly outclassed from the opening tip.

The team’s defense was porous, unable to contain the opposing team’s offense, which was led by a rising star who took full advantage of the Warriors’ defensive lapses. The Warriors’ usually high-powered offense also struggled, with Curry and Thompson failing to find their rhythm and the team’s ball movement stagnating. Draymond Green, typically the emotional leader and defensive lynchpin, appeared overwhelmed, unable to make his usual impact on either end of the floor. The Warriors were bullied in the paint and couldn’t generate enough offensive firepower to keep up.

The game quickly became a blowout, with the Warriors trailing by double digits for most of the second half. The crowd, once known for its loud support and “Roaracle” energy, grew quiet, almost stunned by the performance unfolding before them. For a team that had been virtually unbeatable at home under Kerr, this loss felt like an existential crisis. Fans were left shaking their heads, wondering how such a talented roster could underperform so drastically on their own court.

As the final buzzer sounded, the scoreboard reflected a lopsided result that left the Warriors reeling. It was the kind of loss that cast doubt on the team’s future aspirations, especially with so much of the season still ahead. Kerr himself, typically composed in the face of adversity, seemed visibly frustrated and at a loss for answers. His post-game comments were a mix of disappointment and a recognition that this was a moment of reckoning for his team.

“This is not the team we’ve built over the years,” Kerr said. “We’ve prided ourselves on being resilient and playing our style of basketball, but tonight we just didn’t show up. We have to take a long, hard look at what’s happening here.”

Impact on the Warriors and the Larger NBA Picture

The consequences of this loss were profound, and the reverberations were felt throughout the Warriors’ organization. For Kerr, a coach who had been widely praised for his leadership and ability to adapt, this defeat marked a significant challenge to his tenure. The Warriors had long been a model of stability, but this loss raised questions about their current trajectory.

For the players, the defeat was a harsh reminder that talent alone wouldn’t guarantee success. The team’s reliance on the three-point shot had been effective for much of the Kerr era, but there were signs that the league was evolving, and the Warriors’ approach was becoming more predictable. Opponents had adapted to the Warriors’ style of play, and the Warriors hadn’t been able to adjust as quickly as they needed to.

This loss was also a stark reminder of how quickly things can unravel in the modern NBA. The league’s competitive balance had shifted in recent years, with other teams building rosters that could rival or even surpass the Warriors’ talent. Teams like the Nuggets, Suns, and Lakers had emerged as serious contenders, while younger squads were on the rise. The Warriors’ window of dominance wasn’t as wide as it once was, and every loss felt magnified as the stakes grew higher.

Looking Ahead: The Path Forward for the Warriors

In the aftermath of the defeat, the Warriors were faced with some difficult decisions. Was this a temporary slump, or was it a sign that the team needed to evolve? While they still had one of the most talented trios in the league in Curry, Thompson, and Green, their reliance on those three alone had its limitations.

The front office would need to evaluate whether the team needed to make roster changes, either by adding more complementary pieces or by pursuing trades to bolster their depth. The development of younger players like Moses Moody, James Wiseman, and Jonathan Kuminga would be crucial to the Warriors’ long-term success. As the team sought answers, Kerr and his staff would need to devise a plan for re-establishing the team’s identity.

For now, the Warriors’ home loss served as a painful reminder of how quickly a dynasty can face turbulence. But given their past resilience and the championship pedigree of their core, it’s far too soon to count the Warriors out. As the season continued, the Warriors would have to dig deep, confront their shortcomings, and reclaim the form that had made them one of the NBA’s most formidable teams.

In the end, this humbling defeat may prove to be a turning point, forcing the Warriors to rethink their approach and adapt to the changing landscape of the NBA. Whether or not they can rise to the occasion and prove that they are still capable of championship contention remains to be seen, but the path forward will require more than just talent—it will require adaptation, growth, and perhaps a new sense of urgency.