Who Did the 73-9 Warriors Lose To?

The 2015-16 Golden State Warriors made history by achieving an astonishing 73-9 regular season record, breaking the previous 72-10 record set by the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls. Despite this incredible feat, the Warriors did not go undefeated and faced a few setbacks during their legendary season. So, who did the 73-9 Warriors lose to?

Throughout their campaign, the Warriors faced nine losses, with a mix of elite teams and surprising upsets. In this article, we’ll break down each of these losses, analyze what went wrong, and discuss the most shocking defeats that occurred during this historic run.

A Breakdown of the 73-9 Warriors’ Losses

Golden State’s losses in the 2015-16 regular season came against the following teams:

1. Milwaukee Bucks
2. Dallas Mavericks
3. Denver Nuggets
4. Detroit Pistons
5. Portland Trail Blazers
6. Los Angeles Lakers
7. San Antonio Spurs
8. Minnesota Timberwolves
9. Boston Celtics

Each of these defeats carried its own story, whether it was a scheduled fatigue game, a trap matchup, or simply a night where the Warriors didn’t play up to their usual standard.

Who Did the 73-9 Warriors Lose To? – Shocking Losses

The Los Angeles Lakers Upset (March 6, 2016)

One of the most surprising defeats came against the Los Angeles Lakers, who were struggling that season and finished with a 17-65 record. The Warriors lost 95-112, marking one of their worst performances of the year.

Why Was This Loss Shocking?

• The Lakers were one of the worst teams in the NBA.
• The Warriors shot just 4-of-30 from three-point range (a disastrous 13.3%).
• Kobe Bryant didn’t even play due to an injury, making the loss even more unexpected.

This game proved that even the best teams can have off nights.

San Antonio Spurs – A Defensive Battle (March 19, 2016)

The San Antonio Spurs were one of the few teams capable of matching up with Golden State’s high-powered offense. The Warriors lost 79-87 in a gritty, defensive struggle.

Why Did the Warriors Lose?

• The Spurs held Stephen Curry to just 1-of-12 shooting from three-point range.
• San Antonio’s elite defense forced turnovers and slowed down the pace of the game.
• Golden State struggled in half-court sets, unable to generate their usual fluid ball movement.

This loss proved that defensive-minded teams could still challenge Golden State’s offensive dominance.

Key Factors in the Warriors’ Nine Losses

Despite their dominance, the Warriors weren’t invincible. Here are some of the reasons behind their rare defeats:

1. Fatigue from a Grueling Schedule

Golden State was pushing to break the Chicago Bulls’ 72-10 record, leading to heavy minutes for their starters.

2. Opponents’ Defensive Schemes

Some teams, like the Spurs and Celtics, used aggressive perimeter defense to limit Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green.

3. Off Shooting Nights

The Warriors relied heavily on three-point shooting. On nights when their shots weren’t falling, they became vulnerable.

4. Trap Games & Overconfidence

Against weaker teams like the Lakers and Timberwolves, the Warriors may have taken their opponents too lightly.

Who Did the 73-9 Warriors Lose To? – Playoff Collapse

While their regular-season losses were notable, the most devastating losses came in the NBA Finals. The Warriors took a 3-1 lead against the Cleveland Cavaliers, but suffered three straight losses, leading to one of the biggest collapses in sports history.

The Final Three Losses in the NBA Finals

• Game 5: Warriors lose 97-112 (LeBron James and Kyrie Irving each score 41 points).
• Game 6: Warriors lose 101-115 (LeBron James dominates with a triple-double).
• Game 7: Warriors lose 89-93 (Kyrie Irving hits the clutch three-pointer, LeBron blocks Iguodala).

This collapse overshadowed their record-breaking season, making it one of the most painful defeats in NBA history.

FAQs

Who did the 73-9 Warriors lose to in the regular season?

They lost to Milwaukee, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Portland, the Lakers, San Antonio, Minnesota, and Boston.

Who was the worst team to beat the Warriors?

The Los Angeles Lakers (March 6, 2016) were the worst team to defeat the Warriors, finishing with a 17-65 record.

Did the Warriors win the championship in 2016?

No. Despite their 73-9 record, the Warriors lost in the NBA Finals to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games.

Who was the MVP of the 2015-16 season?

Stephen Curry won the unanimous MVP award, the first in NBA history.

How many teams have won 70+ games in a season?

Only two teams have won 70+ games in an NBA season:

1. 1995-96 Chicago Bulls (72-10, won NBA Finals)
2. 2015-16 Golden State Warriors (73-9, lost NBA Finals)

Conclusion

The 2015-16 Golden State Warriors were a historic team, but their nine losses proved that perfection in the NBA is nearly impossible. From unexpected upsets like the Lakers’ shocking win to defensive battles with the Spurs and Celtics, these defeats offered insights into the challenges of sustaining excellence.

In the end, while the Warriors’ record-breaking season remains legendary, their NBA Finals loss to the Cavaliers is often remembered just as much—if not more.

For more basketball insights, check out Basketball Reference.

Wiki Data Table – Who Did the 73-9 Warriors Lose To?

This breakdown highlights who did the 73-9 Warriors lose to, their toughest matchups, and the lessons learned from their historic season.