Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr pointed to key turnovers and missed opportunities as the team fell 121-113 to the Orlando Magic at the Kia Center on Tuesday.
“We needed to be really sharp tonight. We weren’t quite sharp enough,” Kerr said, noting that Golden State had 18 turnovers, several occurring at critical moments.
Kerr acknowledged the impact of Orlando’s aggressive play, particularly in the second quarter, when the Magic made 18 free throws. “Some timely turnovers where they scored at the other end… that hurt us tonight for sure,” he said.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 34 points and nine assists, while Jimmy Butler added 33 points, but the team struggled to maintain momentum against a balanced Magic squad. Desmond Bane scored 23 points with five steals, and Anthony Black added 21 off the bench, contributing to Orlando’s 8-7 record.
The coach also addressed the team’s adaptation to Orlando’s size and speed. “We played our big lineup more in the second half… we weren’t getting back with urgency early in the game,” Kerr said, referencing Quinten Post, Al Horford, and Trayce Jackson-Davis.
Kerr praised his team’s effort despite the loss. “I love the effort. Guys gave everything they had… a lot of good execution and then some plays we’d like to have back,” he said, highlighting the importance of learning from mistakes as the season progresses.
Regarding player health, Kerr noted that Golden State is managing a few injuries, including Jonathan Kuminga missing his third straight game with a knee issue. He emphasized that decisions on playing time are a collaboration between the performance staff and players.
Orlando outrebounded the Warriors 43-36 and recorded 14 assists from a balanced attack, offsetting Golden State’s 28 assists. Curry went nearly 12 minutes without scoring in the fourth quarter as the Magic built a decisive lead.
Kerr remains optimistic about the team’s future, citing chemistry and depth. “We have a good team, a lot of depth… our players are connected. Chemistry is good,” he said. “I thought we got a lot better to this point on this trip, and I’m excited about that.”
The Warriors will travel to Miami on Wednesday to face the Heat, looking to bounce back after dropping four of their last seven games, while Orlando hosts the LA Clippers on Thursday.
