Locked On Warriors – Daily Podcast On The Golden State Warriors · Locked On Podcast Network, Kylen Mills, Charlie Walter

Warriors Struggle as Hawks and Luke Kennard Torch Golden State

·38 min·3 clips

Luke Kennard hit six threes in eight minutes as the Warriors failed to find him on defense.

This episode analyzes the Golden State Warriors' 124-111 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, focusing on Luke Kennard's explosive performance and broader roster issues. Hosts Charlie Walter and guest Matt Kolsky, both Bay Area sports media veterans, dissect the game and trade rumors. Luke Kennard torched the Warriors by hitting six three-pointers, primarily within an eight-minute real-time span during the second half. Jalen Johnson led the Hawks with 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Steph Curry scored 31 points for Golden State. The hosts criticize the Warriors' defensive breakdowns, specifically their inability to locate Kennard on the court and Steve Kerr's decision to deploy a zone defense during his hot streak. A significant portion discusses trade speculation, centering on a potential deal for Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. Rumors suggest a package involving Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, and two first-round picks, with one pick potentially top-10 protected. Porter is averaging roughly 27 points and shooting nearly 40% from three this season. Kolsky expresses skepticism about Porter's fit, questioning his defensive awareness and ball-handling, and prefers a pursuit of Utah's Lauri Markkanen. The hosts contrast the development of Hawks forward Jalen Johnson, the 20th pick in 2021, with the Warriors' handling of Moses Moody, the 14th pick in 2021. They note Johnson's clear path to a major role facilitated Atlanta's decision to trade Trae Young, making it "Jalen Johnson's team." Walter and Kolsky argue the Warriors' young players lack consistent roles, comparing the situation unfavorably to Steve Kerr's early championship teams that featured defined roles for role players. Kolsky believes trading for Michael Porter Jr. would marginally improve the team but not elevate them to true championship contention, making the cost of two first-round picks too steep. Alternative trade targets mentioned include Jerami Grant, Deni Avdija, and a hypothetical return of Andrew Wiggins. The tone is analytical and deeply frustrated, blending immediate game reaction with strategic roster evaluation. Warriors fans seeking detailed breakdowns of losses and trade speculation will appreciate this episode. Listeners preferring optimistic or purely celebratory content might find the critical tone discouraging.

As heard by us

A rough Warriors night becomes a direct debate about the roster, the market, and whether a major trade is worth the cost.

The episode takes a rough Warriors night and turns it into a blunt roster conversation. It stays on the game long enough to set the stage, then moves straight into what this group is missing and which moves could actually matter. Michael Porter Jr.

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Why you'd press play

Press play if you want the loss turned into roster surgery.

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