The NBA’s Golden State Warriors run finally came to an end when they were beaten at the end of a seven-game road trip by the Milwaukee Bucks.
Fatigue was a primary factor, according to interim coach Luke Walton, son of the immortal Bill Walton. They also may have experienced an emotional letdown following a double overtime win in their previous game against the Boston Celtics.
The 24 game streak with which the Warriors went into the game against the Bucks was the longest to start a season in the history of the NBA. They trailed the Lakers 33 in a row from the end of the 1971 and beginning of the 1972 season, and the Miami Heat’s 27 straight from the 2013 season.
The Warriors had won their final four regular season games last season, so the 24 – 0 start gave them 28 consecutive regular seasons wins.
The usually deadly shooting efficiency of the Warriors was absent. Last year’s MVP Stephen Curry was 10 of 21 from the field, far below his usual percentage. When teammate Klay Thompson was unable to pick up Curry’s slack making only four of 14 shots, the eventual 108 – 95 outcome in favour of the Bucks was not exactly a shocker.
