The Golden State Warriors have sparked a winning run after the All-Star weekend. They have won 5 of their last 6 games. However, these wins were far from a smooth journey, requiring perseverance more than ever. In the middle of their recent run, Andrew Wiggins had to leave the team due to undisclosed personal issues. Moreover, Steve Kerr had to maneuver through the struggles of their superstars, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

With that, the latest setback brought light to a rather unusual hiccup. The Warriors staff and players, after their recent win in MSG, were stranded for hours to catch their flight for the game in Canada. The issue came after their original flight saw mechanical issues, forcing them to enter the game against the Toronto Raptors exhausted and less prepared than usual.

Steve Kerr opens up about the tough night

The Warriors managed to garner a win, defeating the Raptors 120-105. However, their logistical delay inflicted a considerable toll on the entire squad. Talking about the ordeal, Steve Kerr, in the post-game interview, vividly remembered the night, saying, “Last night was brutal. The worst travel circumstances I’ve ever been involved within the NBA.” With that, Kerr further revealed that the team and staff finally caught some sleep around 8 am, resting and recovering throughout the day.

The Warriors, after waiting for hours, got to the newly assigned flight in the wee hours of the morning. Boarding around 5 am, the weary bunch of players reached their hotels around 7:15 after an hour-long journey. While minor travel delays happen a few times over a season, Kerr’s comments signified that the latest incident was more than just a typical inconvenience.

A part of it can be due to the Warriors’ demanding schedule. The game against the Raptors was the second leg of a back-to-back clash. With that, the travel speedbump came during the team’s resting hours and right between a 400+ mile journey to a different country.

The Warriors were visibly tired entering the game

Even though the Warriors came through, they showed signs of lethargy and fatigue in the initial quarters. A part of their win can be cited as a lackluster Raptors’ third quarter. However, the Warriors leaders began the game with signs of sluggishness, overcoming them soon.

Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga, and Klay Thompson combined for a handful of blown and disruptive plays, prompting Steve Kerr to ask for the whistles. However, Stephen Curry’s energetic 1st and 3rd quarters spirited the squad to churn out high-quality games.

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Draymond Green, being the defensive anchor, helped the Warriors outrebound the Raptors. As Stephen Curry touched on 7 threes for his team-high 25 points, Kuminga came through with his acrobatic drives to sit closely at 24 points. While the jury is still out on Klay’s starting role becoming permanent, he played a crucial role in helping the Warriors to maintain the momentum.

Now, to wrap up their road trip and get some hearty rest at home, the Warriors will face the Boston Celtics next.