The 94–131 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder was not just another mark in the loss column for the Golden State Warriors. It was a public humiliation, a collapse so complete that it triggered an internal reckoning few franchises ever allow to surface.
According to multiple sources close to the organization, what happened after the final buzzer may ultimately define the Warriors’ season more than the blowout itself.

As the arena slowly emptied and the echoes of boos and disbelief lingered in the air, Stephen Curry did not head straight to the locker room with his teammates. Instead, the franchise cornerstone requested a private, closed-door meeting with head coach Steve Kerr.
The conversation that followed was intense, direct, and unprecedented in its urgency. Curry, known publicly as a calm leader and locker-room stabilizer, reportedly delivered a blunt message: one player on the roster had to be removed immediately.
Curry allegedly made it clear that the 37-point defeat was not merely the result of poor shooting or a bad night defensively. In his view, the Warriors were beaten long before tip-off, undermined from within by a player whose attitude, effort, and behavior had become toxic.
Sources claim Curry described the individual as the primary reason for the team’s lack of cohesion, pointing to repeated breakdowns in communication, visible frustration on the court, and an atmosphere of distrust that had been festering for weeks.
The Thunder game simply exposed what had been simmering beneath the surface. Defensive rotations were missed, offensive sets collapsed into isolation chaos, and body language on the bench suggested a team fractured rather than unified.
Curry reportedly told Kerr that accountability had reached a breaking point, and that continuing with the same roster would only deepen the divide inside the locker room.

What makes this episode so extraordinary is not only Curry’s demand, but how swiftly it was acted upon. Within hours of the meeting, Warriors management convened emergency discussions.
By the early hours of the following morning, the decision was made: the player in question was officially dismissed from the team and permanently removed from the roster. There would be no public suspension, no vague “personal reasons,” and no drawn-out negotiations. It was a clean, abrupt break.
For a franchise built on stability, continuity, and trust between stars and management, the move sent shockwaves across the league. The Warriors have long prided themselves on handling internal issues quietly, shielding the locker room from public drama.
This time, however, the severity of the situation left little room for discretion. Insiders describe the dismissal as less of a punishment and more of an emergency reset.
Stephen Curry’s role in the decision is particularly significant. Though he has always been the face of the franchise, Curry has rarely exercised his influence in such an overt manner. Teammates have historically praised his inclusive leadership style, emphasizing encouragement over confrontation.
That this incident escalated to a direct demand underscores just how dire the internal situation had become.

Some within the organization reportedly viewed Curry’s intervention as overdue. They point to weeks of inconsistent effort, sideline arguments, and subtle acts of defiance that eroded trust between players. Others, however, worry about the precedent it sets.
When a star player becomes the final authority on roster decisions, the line between leadership and control can blur.
Yet, in the aftermath of the Thunder loss, few were in a position to argue. The scoreboard told a brutal story. The Warriors were outmatched in energy, discipline, and unity. Fans voiced their anger online, calling the performance one of the most embarrassing in the Curry era.
Season ticket holders reportedly contacted the front office demanding answers, while former players openly questioned the team’s chemistry on television panels.
The immediate dismissal appears to have been an attempt to draw a hard line. According to sources, Kerr addressed the remaining players shortly after the decision was finalized, stressing that the move was about restoring standards rather than assigning blame.
He emphasized accountability, effort, and respect as non-negotiable principles moving forward.

Publicly, the Warriors have remained tight-lipped. No official statement has named the player or detailed the circumstances, beyond confirming a roster change. Curry himself has avoided media appearances since the game, fueling speculation and debate. Some analysts praise him for protecting the team’s culture at all costs.
Others accuse him of scapegoating a single individual for what was clearly a collective failure.
What is undeniable is that the Warriors are at a crossroads. The dismissal signals that the margin for error is gone, and that the franchise is willing to make ruthless decisions to preserve its identity. Whether this drastic move sparks a resurgence or deepens the cracks remains to be seen.
For now, the message is unmistakable. In the wake of one of the darkest nights in recent Warriors history, Stephen Curry chose confrontation over silence, action over patience.
And in doing so, he forced the organization to make one of the most shocking decisions of the season—one that will reverberate long after the memory of a 94–131 loss fades from the record books.