Meaning of incredible beating for Warriors

The Warriors were caught sleepwalking in Memphis Wednesday.

Losing a game is one thing. Anyone can lose a playoff game.

But to lose a series-clinching game by 39 points and for that to be a nice turnaround from the 55-point deficit your team faced a quarter before is a truly different beast.

There’s a deeper meaning to a beating like that.

And no matter what you or the Warriors call the Game 5 loss — awful, embarrassing, a butt-kicking — it was not the kind of performance of a championship team.

There’s no flushing this one away; no clean advancement to the next game.

The scoreline was spectacular — downright singular — but this game was not a one-off.

The Warriors have been telling us that such a thing was possible all series, and for weeks and months before that.

This team’s turnover issue isn’t new. Neither is their lack of size. The team’s defensive ineptitude has shown up more frequently as the season progressed. Their rotations have been a hot, ever-changing mess since the season tipped off in October.

Now, the Warriors can absolutely bounce back and win another game against the Grizzlies to claim this series.

And this team still has a high ceiling — one capable of win

KAREN PULFER FOCHT — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The Golden State Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga (00) goes up for a basket as the Memphis Grizzlies’ Tyus Jones (21) defends in the first half of Game 5of a second-round playoff series Wednesday in Memphis, Tenn.