76ers suffer through Steph Curry’s Humiliation Ritual in embarrassing 139-105 loss to end West Coast trip

The Philadelphia 76ers ended their West Coast trip with an absolute disaster, getting dismantled by the Golden State Warriors, 139-105.

It wasn’t just a loss—it was a meltdown, the kind of performance that leaves fans questioning everything from the roster construction to coaching decisions.

Stephen Curry put the 76ers’ defense (or lack thereof) through a Humiliation Ritual, torching them with a perfect 8-for-8 from deep, 30 points, 10 assists, and 6 rebounds.

CHEF CURRY WAS COOKIN' TONIGHT 👨‍🍳

🔥 30 PTS
🔥 8/8 3PM
🔥 10 AST

The first time in his career Steph's gone 8/8 or better from deep! pic.twitter.com/GoJWPUKgLI

— NBA (@NBA) January 3, 2025

Meanwhile, the Sixers looked like a team entirely out of answers, with their defense in shambles and their offense in disarray.

Disgusting Effort from the 76ers Defense:

Calling the Sixers’ defensive effort “bad” would be an understatement. They didn’t just struggle—they collapsed.

Transition defense was nonexistent, and Golden State feasted on back cuts all night. Joel Embiid often found himself trailing plays, and while his offensive numbers (28 points, 14 rebounds) might look decent, his lack of effort in transition defense left the team vulnerable to Curry-led fast breaks.

Golden State turned even seemingly positive defensive moments into Sixers’ failures. One possession saw Embiid and Paul George successfully trap Curry on the perimeter, only for Caleb Martin to stand flat-footed and give up an easy layup on a backdoor cut. Plays like this were not occasional—they were the norm.

Nine fourth-quarter turnovers capped off an all-time terrible defensive showing, as the Sixers appeared checked out mentally and physically.

Tyrese Maxey continues to be inconsistent:

Tyrese Maxey had a game to forget. His 23 points on 10-of-23 shooting don’t tell the full story of his erratic play. Maxey missed wide-open layups, made poor decisions in crucial moments, and spent far too much time arguing non-calls with officials instead of getting back on defense.

Opponents have clearly figured out how to defend Maxey inside the arc. Without a reliable passing game to counter aggressive defenses, he’s been forced into bad shots or awkward drives. This game was a low point in what has been an inconsistent season for the young guard.

Paul George is just as bad…

Paul George came out firing, scoring 20 points in the first half and giving the Sixers some much-needed offense. But as the game wore on, his impact waned. He committed several costly turnovers down the stretch and fouled out in the closing seconds. It’s been a frustrating season for George, whose performances have oscillated between brilliance and baffling inefficiency.

Nick Nurse…?!

Nick Nurse has had his moments this season, but games like this make you wonder if he’s the right fit for this roster. His preference for free-flowing basketball doesn’t align with a team that lacks high-IQ playmakers and consistent off-ball movement. Too often, the Sixers resort to isolation plays or half-hearted pick-and-rolls that lead nowhere.

The rotation decisions were baffling as well. Guerschon Yabusele, who provided energy and smart off-ball movement in the first half, played just 11 minutes. Eric Gordon, coming off a strong game, didn’t see the court until midway through the second quarter. Meanwhile, Kyle Lowry continues to start despite looking every bit his age, and the team desperately misses the production of injured rookie Jared McCain.

If Nurse wants to save this season, he’ll need to re-evaluate everything from his rotations to his offensive schemes.

The Sixers are stuck in a dangerous cycle of mediocrity.

Embiid’s load management strategy—designed with the playoffs in mind—has backfired. With the team sitting outside the playoff picture, they can’t afford to punt games anymore. But even if they claw their way into the play-in, what about this team screams “playoff contender”?

The Sixers have an identity crisis. They want to act like a championship team, but their execution suggests otherwise. Until they decide whether they’re rebuilding, retooling, or genuinely contending, nights like this will remain all too common.

When healthy, you have to win. Period.

This was more than just a loss—it was a statement about where the Sixers are right now: confused, inconsistent, and, frankly, unserious. The Warriors exposed every flaw, and unless changes are made soon, this team will find itself spiraling further down the standings.

Next up, the Sixers head back home, but if they keep playing like this, the boos from the Philly faithful won’t be far behind.

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