Spurs condemn Warriors to third consecutive loss

LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs drives for two between Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors and Damian Jones #15 of the Golden State Warriors at AT&T Center on November 18 , 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. PHOTO | RONALD CORTES |

What you need to know:

  • A day after a disappointing loss to the Mavericks in Dallas, the Warriors still couldn't find their rhythm, losing for the fifth time in seven games
  • Durant led the Warriors with 26 points, but made just eight of 25 shots - and only one of eight from three-point range
  • With the defeat, the 12-6 Warriors slipped to second in the Western Conference

LOS ANGELES

The Golden State Warriors' malaise deepened Sunday with a third straight NBA defeat, the two-time defending champions falling 104-92 to the Spurs in San Antonio.

LaMarcus Aldridge scored 24 points and grabbed 18 rebounds for the Spurs, who thwarted the Warriors' late rally bid, keeping the champions winless in a three-game swing through Texas.

It's just the third time since coach Steve Kerr took the helm at Golden State in 2014 that the Warriors have lost three games on the trot.

They were held to a season-low in points in a 107-86 loss to Houston on Thursday - after which Kerr admitted the team was both physically and "spiritually" banged-up - a reference to superstar Stephen Curry's groin injury and the spat between Draymond Green and Kevin Durant that saw Green suspended by the team for one game.

A day after a disappointing loss to the Mavericks in Dallas, the Warriors still couldn't find their rhythm, losing for the fifth time in seven games.

"We've got to get back to our team identity," Kerr said, saying they couldn't give in to frustration despite the injury absences of Curry and Green - who was again sidelined by a sprained toe.

"Everyone has to come together," Kerr said. "You can't feel sorry for yourselves. You have to commit to fighting, and executing, competing for 48 minutes. We did that for maybe 24 minutes tonight... you've got to do that the whole time, playing with some poise and playing with a purpose. I don't think we did that tonight."

Durant led the Warriors with 26 points, but made just eight of 25 shots - and only one of eight from three-point range.

Klay Thompson scored 25 points on 11 of 26 shooting, making just three of his attempts from beyond the arc.

DeMar DeRozan scored 20 points and Rudy Gay chipped in 19 for the Spurs, who snapped a three-game losing streak.

With the defeat, the 12-6 Warriors slipped to second in the Western Conference, a game behind the Portland Trail Blazers who improved to 11-5 with a 119-109 victory over the Washington Wizards.

Damian Lillard scored 40 points and C.J. McCollom added 25 for the Trail Blazers. Jusuf Nurkic scored 13 points with 14 rebounds and equalled his career high with eight assists as Portland bounced back from a loss at Minnesota.