The Warriors walked straight into a “trap” game Monday night and never found a way out. With Denver missing three starters—including three-time MVP Nikola Jokić and star guard Jamal Murray—Golden State had every reason to dominate. Instead, they put up one of their worst performances since adding Jimmy Butler III to the roster five weeks ago. Even their superstar, Stephen Curry, looked completely out of rhythm.

The 37-year-old star was already questionable with back soreness before tip-off, and watching him struggle made it clear—maybe the Warriors should’ve just sat him out, especially with another game coming up the next night. Curry had a rough night, struggling to get his shot to fall. He put up 20 points but needed 21 attempts to get there, sinking just 4 of 14 from beyond the arc.

While he dished out seven assists and grabbed four rebounds, his turnovers were a problem. He coughed up the ball seven times, contributing to the Warriors’ 20 total giveaways—costly mistakes that Denver turned into 24 points.

Steve Kerr admitted that the two-time MVP is simply exhausted from carrying the team over the past month. “He’s tired. Steph’s been carrying us for a month. He’s been amazing. Um, he’s tired,” Kerr said post-game. “So we got to get him some rest. I, I just, you can see it. He doesn’t have his energy right now.”

With the Warriors fighting for playoff positioning, Butler’s words highlight a key challenge—can Golden State rally around Curry and lighten his workload before it’s too late?

But Jimmy Butler took the fall for Curry and emphasized that the Warriors’ superstar, despite his resilience, naturally gets tired after shouldering such a heavy load.

“I’m not gonna say he was worn down, but it’s okay to be tired, and um, that’s on myself,” Butler admitted. “And that’s on us as a unit to pick up the slack for him. He’s, you know, as everybody wants to think that he is superhuman—he is not. Um, he is our leader, and we must protect him all the time. But I’ll tell you that, so that’s for myself for sure, but everybody else to make sure that we’re doing, um, what we’re supposed to be doing and give my man a break.”

When asked how the team could help Curry, Butler pointed to the importance of playing smarter basketball.

“Make sure that we don’t turn the ball over, one. Uh, make sure you get a shot on goal. Make sure you get a good shot on goal with that, and um, execute,” Butler explained. “I think whenever you execute, you get the ball where it needs to go. That’s my job more than anybody’s. And maybe Dray’s. His job’s a lot easier.”

With the Warriors fighting for playoff positioning, Butler’s words highlight a key challenge—can Golden State rally around Curry and lighten his workload before it’s too late?

Well “Potentially,” Kerr said. “Um, you know, I don’t know what, you know. Um, well, I got to talk to Rick and, but he’s exhausted right now. So, um, we’ve gotta, we’ve gotta absolutely consider giving him a night and getting him rejuvenated for the sake of him and our, you know, the remainder of our games.”

The 2x MVP over the last 15 games, has put up impressive numbers, averaging 27.1 points, 6.2 assists, and 3.9 rebounds. When asked if the team would consider resting Steph in their next game, Kerr didn’t rule it out.

Despite the 4x champion dealing with fatigue, Kerr dismissed the idea that his lingering back soreness played a role. “No, no,” he said when asked if Curry’s back affected his performance.

With the Warriors in a tight playoff race, Kerr now faces a tough decision—push through with a fatigued Curry or give him a much-needed night off to recharge. The front office, meanwhile, isn’t just relying on rest to ease Steph’s workload. They’re already looking for ways to add firepower.

Warriors looking to add another star beside Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler

The Warriors are reportedly open to trading three-time champion Kevon Looney in a deal that could bring in the Nuggets‘ Michael Porter Jr. The 6-foot-10 forward has been a steady contributor, averaging 18.3 points, seven rebounds, and 2.5 made threes this season while shooting an efficient 50.4% from the field and 40% from deep. He may not be a superstar, but he’s one of the league’s most dependable third-scoring options.

“Denver Nuggets star forward Michael Porter Jr. has had his name swirl in trade rumors throughout the season,” wrote Empire Sports Media’s Matthew Legros. “The Warriors should make a push for him if the Nuggets float his name on the trade block in the summer.”

Denver, in the middle of a title chase, won’t let Porter Jr. go without a solid return. His massive contract—over $38 million per year for the next two seasons—adds another layer of complexity. One proposed trade would see Golden State send Buddy Hield, Moses Moody, Looney, and a future first-round pick to Denver for Porter Jr. and DeAndre Jordan.

With Curry shouldering a heavy load, the Warriors could use another consistent scorer. Even with the greatest shooter ever on the roster, adding another floor-spacing threat like Porter Jr. would mean stronger chances at another ring.