WASHINGTON — Kevon Looney, a forward for the Golden State Warriors, expressed doubts about their ability to secure a win in such a tough situation on Saturday—overtime against the Houston Rockets and without Steph Curry in the lineup.

“The ball didn’t bounce our way. There were times we faltered and made careless fouls, leading to a loss of momentum,” Looney reflected on the team’s performance since their last championship title in 2022. “We struggled to regain control last year, and honestly, for the past two seasons. But against Houston, even when things went awry, we maintained our composure and managed to finish the game in overtime.”

This season marks the Warriors’ first without Klay Thompson, who they have drafted since 2011. Despite his absence, they have achieved a strong start with a 7-1 record, including five consecutive wins and three of those without Curry—who has now returned.

Though their schedule hasn’t been overly challenging—only two wins against teams with winning records—the Warriors recently defeated the Boston Celtics 118-112 on the road. They are set for two more away challenges this week: against the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers (9-0) on Friday and the Oklahoma City Thunder (7-1) on Sunday.

Coach Steve Kerr reminded the media after practice on Sunday at Georgetown University about last year’s start—5-1—only to finish November at 9-10.

“It’s a fantastic start,” said Kerr. “I couldn’t wish for more, but we must remember that we started strong last year as well. It’s a long season, and we need to keep identifying our weaknesses and areas for improvement while staying true to our identity.”

“Right now, our focus should be on establishing ourselves as a scrappy, defensive team, and I believe we have a better chance of doing that this year than last. This season’s team is designed to be disruptive defensively, to have a feisty attitude, to utilize a broader roster, and to play with high energy. I’m pleased with our progress but brace for tough matchups ahead.”

With Thompson out but retaining stars Curry and Draymond Green, this Warriors team showcases a fresh look. Though they missed out on signing Paul George and couldn’t acquire Lauri Markkanen from Utah, they did sign De’Anthony Melton and brought in Buddy Hield and Kyle Anderson.

The Warriors are showcasing impressive early-season production, boasting the league’s third-best offense (119.3 points per 100 possessions) and the second-best defense (allowing just 103.8 points per 100 possessions), resulting in a remarkable net rating of +15.5.

Additionally, the Warriors rank:

• Tied for third in assists (29.4 per game)
• Fifth in steals (9.3 per game)
• Tied for fourth in blocks (6.3 per game)
• First in rebounding (49.5 per game, including third in offensive rebounds)
• Second in fast break points allowed (9.0 per game)

The success comes from a collaborative effort. Over the first eight games, Kerr has utilized 13 players for at least 12.7 minutes per game, with no player exceeding 28.1 minutes. While injuries have influenced this rotation, Kerr continues to leverage his versatile roster.

In the game against Boston, for instance, 11 players logged at least 13 minutes. Curry tallied 27 points, nine assists, seven rebounds, four steals, and one block, while Hield scored 16 points on 4-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc, raising his 3-point shooting percentage to 51.7% on 9.1 attempts per game.

The Warriors are familiar with depth, having built their championship teams in 2015, 2017, and 2018 on the “Strength in Numbers” mantra.

“I have always enjoyed utilizing the bench, perhaps because I came from a bench role myself,” Kerr reflected. “The long-standing philosophy here enhances team chemistry and energy. The ‘Strength in Numbers’ concept may sound clichéd, but it truly supports our approach throughout the 82-game regular season. It allows us to maintain performance even when key players like Steph are absent.”

“Yet, it’s also crucial to establish clear roles as we progress, ensuring that by each game, we know who will be in our closing lineup.”

In the match against Boston, the Warriors concluded the game with Curry, Green, Looney, Hield, and Andrew Wiggins dominating the last 6:19, outscoring the Celtics 30-17.

Last season, the Warriors finished with a 46-36 record, placing them 10th in the Western Conference and facing elimination to Sacramento in the play-in game. Although they missed out on obtaining star players like Paul George and couldn’t land Lauri Markkanen from Utah, the Warriors are confident in their current roster.

Can they emerge as a top-six team in a competitive Western Conference? With their talent, depth, and championship experience, the Warriors certainly believe they can.