Takeaways: Spurs’ Home Streak Snapped as Curry Ignites Warriors Comeback

SAN ANTONIO – The Frost Bank Center had the energy of a playoff game early Wednesday night. The San Antonio Spurs came out firing, the crowd roaring as they built a 14-point first quarter lead. But as the game wore on, that spark dimmed — and Stephen Curry caught fire.

By the time the buzzer sounded, the Spurs had dropped their first home game of the season, falling 125–120 to the Golden State Warriors to open a five-game homestand. It was San Antonio’s first loss in the Alamo City after a 5-0 start, their best home opening stretch since the 2015-16 season.

Here are three takeaways from the game:

Getting burned twice

For much of the first quarter, the Spurs looked like the better team — crisp passing, confident shooting, and energy that overwhelmed Golden State’s defense. But a 14-point cushion quickly evaporated when San Antonio’s offense fell stagnant late in the second quarter.

The Spurs went scoreless over the final 3:30 of the half, allowing the Warriors to trim the lead to seven. It was a preview of what was coming.

Golden State’s third quarter was a masterclass in ball movement and spacing. The Spurs’ defensive rotations broke down repeatedly, leaving shooters wide open from deep. The Warriors outscored San Antonio 43–28 in the period, flipping the game completely.

Late in the fourth, San Antonio’s inability to finish defensive possessions proved costly. Three straight offensive rebounds for the Warriors led to back-to-back daggers from Curry and Jimmy Butler III. The sequence capped off a frustrating night for the Spurs — one where every mistake seemed to be punished.

"I think 21 three's and 32 free throws is tough," Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said. "Give them a lot of credit, we came out strong and they responded. We needed to be better."

Curry Goes Wild

Stephen Curry was simply unstoppable.

The two-time MVP erupted for 46 points on 13-of-25 shooting, including a near-perfect 15-of-16 from the free-throw line. No matter how San Antonio tried to defend him — over screens, under screens, trapping, switching — Curry found an answer.

His off-ball movement shredded the Spurs’ communication, and his quick release punished even the smallest lapse in coverage. Stephon Castle occasionally drew the defensive assignment, and while he battled hard, the learning curve against one of the league’s greatest scorers was evident.

"You can't really relax at all with him," Castle said. "Picking up those early fouls and switch off him got him going. We need to be ready to do better Friday."

Curry didn’t just score — he orchestrated. When the Spurs overcommitted, he found open teammates in rhythm, feeding the Warriors’ ball-sharing attack that’s defined their dynasty.

The Spurs’ defense, solid for most of their early-season run, simply couldn’t keep pace with Golden State’s adjustments.

"That's a very special team to play against," Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama said. "I can remember moments when myself or my teammates were on the court doing things out of 'fear', out of a lack of trust, maybe."

The Double Triple-Doubles

Despite the loss, there were bright spots — and they came from San Antonio’s young core.

Wembanyama and Castle posted triple-doubles, continuing their strong chemistry as the team’s foundational duo. Wembanyama filled the stat sheet once again with 31 points 15 rebounds, and 10 assists, showing flashes of dominance on both ends with his rebounding, passing, and shot-blocking presence.

Castle, meanwhile, ran the offense with poise, balancing aggression and distribution in what’s quickly becoming a reliable nightly performance. He finished with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Their combined energy helped San Antonio weather multiple runs and briefly threaten a comeback late in the fourth.

Still, the game served as a reminder that growing pains are part of the process. Golden State — with its veteran savvy and championship poise — exposed every small mistake.

“It’s frustrating, sure,” Wembanyama said postgame. “But we learn from these moments. We’ve shown we can compete with anyone. Now it’s about consistency.”

For a Spurs team still finding its rhythm under Mitch Johnson, the loss provides plenty of learning material. The team will have little time to dwell, however, as they continue their homestand Friday night.

San Antonio remains one of the league’s most intriguing young teams — capable of brilliance in spurts, but still learning how to close against elite competition.

Wednesday night’s loss wasn’t without progress, but against Curry and the Warriors, even a few lapses proved fatal.

Up next:

The Spurs are now 8-3 on the season and will return to the court on Friday at 8:30 p.m. CDT as they face the Warriors in the Group C stage of the NBA Cup.