The Golden State Warriors struggled significantly in their first game following an injury to star guard Stephen Curry.
Curry is set to miss at least two weeks of action to rehabilitate a torn oblique, according to Yahoo Sports.
During the absence, the team suffered a 38-point loss to the San Antonio Spurs, falling 123-85 at the Frost Bank Center.
The Warriors struggled to find momentum early in the contest, allowing an unprecedented 18-0 run to start the game, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, who had previously relied on positive self-talk to manage his NBA transition, struggled against the Spurs defense.
Lendeborg finished the game with three points on 1-for-13 shooting, noting before the game that he was still learning how to adjust as a primary scoring option.
Regarding his comfort level in a leading role, Lendeborg said, “Probably six out of 10,” when asked about his readiness to step in for Curry.
While the team struggled, LJ Cryer provided a bright spot for the visitors by recording a career-high 20 points.
The Spurs were led by Victor Wembanyama, who anchored a defense that held the Warriors to just 33.3% shooting from the field.
The loss marked a sharp downturn for Golden State, which had enjoyed an eight-game winning streak just days prior.
With Curry sidelined, the coaching staff and remaining players face the challenge of reconfiguring their offensive system.
The Yahoo Sports report highlighted that teammates Brandin Podziemski and Lendeborg were tasked with leading the charge in San Antonio.
The team now looks to regroup during Curry’s rehabilitation period with performance director Rick Celebrini.
The Warriors will need to find more consistency to remain competitive as the schedule continues into December.