OAKLAND, Calif. _ Despite playing in a marquee game, the Golden State Warriors labored through a 128-95 loss to the Boston Celtics on Tuesday at Oracle Arena.
The Warriors suffered through their most lopsided loss of the season, eclipsing a 28-point blowout against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Nov. 21 because of a combination of regular-season apathy, poor defense and key injuries.
Klay Thompson (sore right knee) and Kevon Looney (right pelvic soreness) missed their second consecutive game, while Shaun Livingston (neck spasms) was ruled out shortly before tipoff.
Regardless, the Warriors' other stars did not offer much beyond Stephen Curry finishing with 23 points while going 8-of-16 from the field and 4-of-10 from 3. Kevin Durant had 18 points on only 5-of-16 shooting, including a 0-of-5 clip from deep. DeMarcus Cousins had 10 points while going 4-of-12 from the field and 0-of-5 from 3 along with five fouls.
After committing an offensive foul on Celtics center Aaron Baynes, Cousins stared him down and appeared to have some choice words. Celtics forward Jayson Tatum pushed Cousins away, prompting him to push Tatum back with more force. When Boston forward Terry Rozier intervened, Cousins shoved him too. Officials then game Cousins and Rozier a double technical with 8:44 left in the game.
The Warriors (44-20) lacked any defensive punch against the Celtics (39-26), which featured Gordon Hayward (30 points), Kyrie Irving (19), Jaylen Brown (18), Tatum (17) and Marcus Morris (10) logging double figures. The Warriors also committed 22 turnovers and allowed 50 points in the paint.
The Warriors play next against the Denver Nuggets on Friday at Oracle Arena.
