The train that left the station on October 27th has finally been stopped in its tracks, as the Golden State Warriors fell to the Milwaukee Bucks 108-95 on Saturday night. The loss snapped the Warriors’ NBA-record for most wins to start a season at 24, which is still a very impressive number in any era of basketball. The 1972 Los Angeles Lakers holds the league’s record for the longest win streak at 33 games, but they did not start their season in such fashion as Golden State did.
The Warriors Lose Their First Game of the Season
It was obvious throughout the fourth quarter that the fatigue of this long, record-setting winning streak was sitting on top of each player’s shoulders, as they tried to overcome deficits and injuries to keep the streak alive. It was not helped by the fact that the Warriors were playing their seventh game of the seven-game road trip the team was on. Also, the night before, the team was in Boston, as they held off a feisty Celtics team in double overtime, a very draining game for every player involved.
In the end, the streak was too much to carry. But is that a good thing, to get all the pressure off? Interim head coach Luke Walton did not think so by saying, “Not from me. Losing sucks. Even if you are 24-1, losing still sucks. I’m sure the long flight home tomorrow and guys unwinding a bit, I’m sure there will be a little relief mentally going forward.” (ESPN)
Warriors’ star Stephen Curry had 28 points, he was only 2 for 8 from the three-point line. Although Greg Monroe also had 28 points, the Bucks’ player of the night could have easily gone to Giannis Antetokounmpo, who recorded his first triple double of his career by scoring 11 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and dishing 10 assists. Draymond Green was doing Draymond Green things despite the loss, finishing the game with 24 points and 11 rebounds.
The Warriors play the Suns in Golden State on December 16th, which means the team will get a nice break from such a busy start to their defending season. Whether or not the team can put together another streak like this one is a fun question to play with, but there is no doubt that this team is the favorite to win the NBA Championship.
