Stephen Curry dropped 38 points. Jimmy Butler III added 20. And the Golden State Warriors still lost to the Portland Trail Blazers. That reality has pushed the team to a mediocre 9-9 record and forced some uncomfortable conversations in the locker room.
For a franchise chasing another title in 2025-26, the problem isn’t scoring; it’s stopping anyone on the other end.
Why Did Jimmy Butler Call Out the Warriors’ Defense?
Despite battling lingering injuries, both stars suited up for Friday’s clash with Portland. Curry put on a shooting clinic and Butler provided offensive support, but the defense collapsed in the 127-123 loss. Frustration boiled over postgame when Butler offered a blunt assessment of the team’s struggles.
Jimmy Butler: “We’re just not guarding nobody. From what I can tell, I haven’t been here long, but that’s never been the formula here.”
“I’m always optimistic. But I’m also honest.” pic.twitter.com/2IU2NZUXwe
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) November 22, 2025
“We’re just not guarding nobody,” Butler said. “From what I can tell, I haven’t been here long, but that’s never been the formula here. I’m always optimistic. But I’m also honest.”
Fans quickly sided with Butler, pointing to a steep defensive decline that has exposed players like Brandin Podziemski. Last season, Golden State boasted a solid defensive rating of 109.0, but it declined at a concerning rate to start the 2025-26 campaign. That regression is threatening their championship window, specifically as they try to maximize Curry’s prime.
This situation places an immense burden on the veterans. Curry has scored 30-plus points in four of his last five games, helping the team remain competitive. Meanwhile, Butler has tried to stabilize the rotation, handling playmaking duties and mentoring young pieces like Jonathan Kuminga. Supporters hope that Butler’s willingness to address the issues publicly will spark a turnaround before the season slips away.
Can the Warriors Bounce Back After Losing to Portland?
Curry looked rightfully drained after the team dropped its second straight game. Despite the offensive fireworks, the inability to get stops negated his 38-point masterpiece.
“Pretty much perfect basketball on the other end, but it’s still crazy that we were a one possession game with, you know, whatever it was a minute and a half with that type of discrepancy.” Curry said postgame. “We know we’re small out there at times, but we got to play bigger than we are.”
The four-time champion noted that the defensive woes aren’t permanent, pointing to flashes of potential earlier in the year.
“We’ve had some bright spots, some games that we’ve shown we could do it for 48 minutes, and we’ve had some duds. Even tonight, we had ebbs and flows,” Curry concluded.
Now sitting eighth in the Western Conference, the Warriors will look to correct their course when they host the Utah Jazz on Monday, Nov. 24.