The Golden State Warriors' performance over the next two weeks is poised to significantly influence the decisions made by the organization as the trade deadline approaches. They recorded a disappointing start to this pivotal period, suffering what is now the largest home loss of the Steve Kerr era, a 125-85 defeat against the Boston Celtics on Monday night.

Following the game, Stephen Curry described the defeat as 'not great,' humorously labeling that observation as a 'Captain Obvious statement.' However, he emphasized the importance of resilience moving forward, noting, 'But just the idea that we can keep ourselves afloat until we get some guys back can kind of make or break our season to be honest, to keep it real.' Curry further pointed out that while no one is counting every single game, a stretch of six to eight games could be critical in determining the team's trajectory for the remainder of the season.

This significant loss stands as the worst for the Warriors since a 149-104 defeat to the Dallas Mavericks on January 15, 1985, highlighting the gravity of the situation. Injuries have played a role in the team's struggles; their starting lineup included Curry, Andrew Wiggins, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Dennis Schröder, and Gary Payton II, while Jonathan Kuminga missed his eighth consecutive game due to a sprained ankle. Furthermore, the team announced that Draymond Green will be sidelined for at least a week due to a mild calf strain. The impact of injuries was evident, particularly in the unproductive minutes without Curry on the court. At halftime, the Warriors showed a stark contrast in performance: with Curry on the floor, they were plus two over 17 minutes, while in the seven minutes he was off, they plunged to minus 17. This loss occurred shortly after Curry and Green publicly expressed their desire to avoid 'desperate' moves by the front office ahead of the trade deadline, recognizing that a difference-making player may not be realistically attainable.