Warriors takeaways: What we learned in 142-94 blowout loss to Mavericks

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One night after their most complete performance of this season, the Warriors delivered perhaps their most forgettable game in five-plus seasons under coach Steve Kerr.

There were three-foot airballs, in-bounds passes to courtside fans and a whopping rebound deficit Wednesday night in a 142-94 loss to the Mavericks at American Airlines Center in Dallas.

Taking the court roughly 21 hours after a 114-95 win at Memphis, the Warriors dressed the NBA-minimum eight players, then fell behind quickly and never threatened in losing for the eighth time in nine games.

Here are three takeaways from the most lopsided loss in Kerr's tenure. 

One of those nights

Already without seven players, including three All-Stars, Draymond Green was declared out after a pregame workout left him unable to run due to soreness in his right heel.

That left the Warriors with the league-mandated minimum roster requirement against a Dallas team without only one player, Seth Curry, who was sidelined by illness.

With Luka Doncic leading the way, the rout was on very early. The Warriors trailed 20-7 less than four minutes after tipoff, 35-11 after nine minutes and they never made a serious run. They were outrebounded 50-33 and outshot 57.3 percent to 38.9 percent.

There will be nights, perhaps many this season, when the Warriors simply won’t have the manpower to measure up. This was such a night. A legitimate throwaway game.

Bowman brought the fight

The closest thing to a bright spot was the play of three rookies, particularly point guard Ky Bowman.

The 6-foot-1, two-way signee pressed into the starting lineup when Green was ruled out. The undrafted rookie from Boston College played 32 minutes and was a pest on defense and also the team’s most efficient scorer, delivering 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting.

Even more impressive, Bowman did not commit a turnover.

Eric Paschall finished with team-highs points (22) and rebounds (seven), and Jordan Poole finished with 11 points and seven assists.

Bowman, however, stood out for his nonstop energy and a level of reliability that is encouraging for a rookie.

[RELATED: Draymond scoffs at Paschall's 'too old' NBA draft narrative]

Vets rise, vets fall

Alec Burks and Glenn Robinson III were coming off impressive games, combining for 49 points on 17-of-29 shooting from the field, including 5-of-11 from deep, in the win over the Grizzlies.

They didn’t come close to that level of production or efficiency in Dallas.

Burks started at shooting guard and totaled 11 points on 3-of-11 shooting, including 1-of-4 from beyond the arc, while playing 27 minutes.

Robinson started at small forward and produced five points on 2-of-7 shooting, including 1-of-3 from deep over 26 minutes.

With Green out, the Warriors needed Burks and Robinson to play hard and smart and effectively to keep the youngsters on the right path and have a chance to stay in the game. Neither did.

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