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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 16: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on December 16, 2022 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 16: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on December 16, 2022 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

Fans Criticize Klay Thompson, Warriors for Play without Steph Curry in Loss vs. 76ers

Scott PolacekDec 16, 2022

It's safe to say the Golden State Warriors on the floor Friday were not the Golden State Warriors who lifted the Larry O'Brien Trophy at the end of last season.

Golden State lost its third game in a row and its fifth in its last six with a 118-106 defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The reigning champions are now just 14-16 on the season and an abysmal 2-14 on the road.

To be fair, they had plenty of valid excuses Friday that went beyond just the daunting task of facing Joel Embiid and James Harden.

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Stephen Curry is expected to miss "a few weeks" with a left shoulder injury, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Andrew Wiggins was also sidelined with an adductor strain, while Draymond Green was out with a right quad contusion.

Any chance Golden State had at notching a stunning upset on the road without that much firepower seemed to come down to whether Klay Thompson could rediscover his Saturday form when he dropped 34 points against the Boston Celtics. However, he went an ugly 4-of-17 from the field, made some defensive mistakes and drew criticism from social media:

It wasn't all bad for the Warriors, as Donte DiVincenzo drilled five three-pointers in the first quarter alone as the visitors jumped out to an early lead and took a two-point advantage into halftime.

Jordan Poole also found his stroke on the way to 29 points, while Kevon Looney threatened a triple-double with 14 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists.

Still, it was only a matter of time before the 76ers would find their footing against a depleted Warriors squad. The only way the visitors would keep up with Embiid and Harden was if DiVincenzo stayed on fire after the first quarter and Thompson looked like the prime version of himself, and neither thing happened.

Perhaps the future Hall of Famer can turn things around Sunday when Golden State faces the Toronto Raptors on the road at Scotiabank Arena.

Ant Daps Up Spurs Mid-Game 💀

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