Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) controls the ball while Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) defends during the first half at TD Garden. Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Warriors' last-minute defensive plan backfires

By Sean Keane | Last updated 3/3/24

The Warriors decided on their defensive plan 15 minutes before Sunday’s game with the Celtics. That wasn’t a good idea.

The Warriors didn't come up with their defensive game plan until about 15 minutes before leaving the locker room to try something different and try to find weak spots, Draymond said.

"It didn't work, oh well, we move on. I thought it was fun to try."
— Kendra Andrews (@kendra__andrews) March 3, 2024

The Celtics responded to this defensive plan by scoring 44 points in the first quarter on their way to a 140-88 win. It was their third win of 50 or more points this season, an NBA record.

The game was even at 21-21 six minutes into the game. Then the Warriors' "plan" took shape, which involved Draymond Green sagging off Jaylen Brown and daring him to shoot. That backfired when Brown sank three straight triples to spark a 14-0 Boston run. After Klay Thompson hit a technical free throw, Boston ran off another nine straight points for a 23-1 run.

Green said he thought the defensive approach on Brown was "fun to try," but it didn't look like Golden State was having fun as Boston rocketed to an 82-38 halftime lead. In the second quarter, the Warriors played Brown more conventionally - and Jayson Tatum lit them up for 20 points. That may be why Steve Kerr told reporters the team had to "pick their matchups" and called Boston "a hell of a team."

Here’s Steve Kerr postgame after the 52-point loss in Boston. He said it didn’t concern him, “flush it”, and discusses the decision to have Draymond Green sag off Jaylen Brown.

Also: Brandin Podziemski will return on Wednesday pic.twitter.com/MSOmPEwPtC
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 3, 2024

Still, the radical defensive approach certainly gave Brown motivation to go off.

Jaylen Brown on the Warriors game:

“If you want to dare me to shoot, we can do that too. I thought it was a bit disrespectful.” pic.twitter.com/81Wao466uC
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzellNBA) March 3, 2024

The loss snapped an eight-game road win streak for the Warriors and continued an 11-game win streak for Boston. It's unlikely that these two teams will have a rematch of their 2022 NBA Finals battle with Golden State sitting in a play-in spot, but if they do, we have some advice for Kerr and the Warriors: Decide on the defense at least an hour early.

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