In his younger days, Warriors forward Dorell Wright said he would be much more bothered by shooting 17.6 percent from 3-point range over the season’s first four games. But Wright, in his eighth season, said he has no doubt he will return to being Golden State’s 3-point specialist.

“It’s a matter of time,” Wright said. “I’m going to get hot, and everybody will forget about this little four-game stretch or however long it lasts. “? In due time, my shot will be back.”

Last season, Wright proved to be one of the league’s best signings. In his first season with the Warriors, he knocked down 194 3-pointers. In his previous six seasons, Wright totaled 73 from behind the arc.

Wright’s 3-point shooting became one of the most reliable components of the Warriors offense last season. But that’s a luxury Golden State hasn’t had this season. He’s missed 14 of the 17 he’s taken.

Since much of his offensive game is based on his 3-pointer, Wright hasn’t been able to get much of anything going offensively. He’s averaging 8.3 points (half what he averaged last season) on 34.3 percent shooting. Saturday, when the Warriors needed offense with guard Monta Ellis out, Wright totaled four points on 2-for-10 shooting.

With Wright not knocking down his 3-pointers (the Warriors are shooting 27.5 percent from deep), opposing defenses are not paying a price for packing in the lane. With no big man to create offense, the

Warriors rely on outside shooting to open up the paint so Ellis & Co. can penetrate.

“It helps when he makes the shot because it’s another weapon that they’ve got to protect and work against,” Warriors coach Mark Jackson said of Wright. “When he makes that shot, it’s more breathing room for everybody else on the floor. So we certainly need it.”

So what’s wrong with Wright’s shot?

He said it boils down to mechanics. He said usually when he misses, he knows exactly what’s wrong.

To fix it, Wright said he’s shooting more before and after practice. He also said he hired someone to break down game film of his shooting so he can study his mechanics.

But mostly, to get out of his slump, Wright said he is focusing on defense. After all, that’s what Wright hung his hat on before joining the Warriors last summer.

“To tell you the truth, I really don’t care about the offensive end,” Wright said. “It’s not like that anymore around here. It’s not like if you can’t score 15, 16 points you’re coming out the game. … Whatever I’m contributing is a plus.”

It’s doubtful Jackson would go that far. Golden State is 26th in the NBA in points per game at 89.0 — more than 14 points below last season’s average. The Warriors rank 21st in field goal percentage (42.2).

Especially for the upcoming three-game road trip, Golden State needs Wright to get going on offense.

In his younger days, Warriors forward Dorell Wright said he would be much more bothered by shooting 17.6 percent from 3-point range over the season’s first four games. But Wright, in his eighth season, said he has no doubt he will return to being Golden State’s 3-point specialist.

“It’s a matter of time,” Wright said. “I’m going to get hot, and everybody will forget about this little four-game stretch or however long it lasts. … In due time, my shot will be back.”

Last season, Wright proved to be one of the league’s best signings. In his first season with the Warriors, he knocked down 194 3-pointers. In his previous six seasons, Wright totaled 73 from behind the arc.

Wright’s 3-point shooting became one of the most reliable components of the Warriors offense last season. But that’s a luxury Golden State hasn’t had this season. He’s missed 14 of the 17 he’s taken.

Since much of his offensive game is based on his 3-pointer, Wright hasn’t been able to get much of anything going offensively. He’s averaging 8.3 points (half what he averaged last season) on 34.3 percent shooting. Saturday, when the Warriors needed offense with guard Monta Ellis out, Wright totaled four points on 2-for-10 shooting.

With Wright not knocking down his 3-pointers (the Warriors are shooting 27.5 percent from deep), opposing defenses are not paying a price for packing in the lane. With no big man to create offense, the Warriors rely on outside shooting

to open up the paint so Ellis & Co. can penetrate.

“It helps when he makes the shot because it’s another weapon that they’ve got to protect and work against,” Warriors coach Mark Jackson said of Wright. “When he makes that shot, it’s more breathing room for everybody else on the floor. So we certainly need it.”

So what’s wrong with Wright’s shot?

He said it boils down to mechanics. He said usually when he misses, he knows exactly what’s wrong.

To fix it, Wright said he’s shooting more before and after practice. He also said he hired someone to break down game film of his shooting so he can study his mechanics.

But mostly, to get out of his slump, Wright said he is focusing on defense. After all, that’s what Wright hung his hat on before joining the Warriors last summer.

“To tell you the truth, I really don’t care about the offensive end,” Wright said. “It’s not like that anymore around here. It’s not like if you can’t score 15, 16 points you’re coming out the game. … Whatever I’m contributing is a plus.”

It’s doubtful Jackson would go that far. Golden State is 26th in the NBA in points per game at 89.0 — more than 14 points below last season’s average. The Warriors rank 21st in field goal percentage (42.2).

Especially for the upcoming three-game road trip, Golden State needs Wright to get going on offense.

Warriors guard Monta Ellis, according to a team spokesperson, will join the team in Phoenix. Though he did not practice with the team Sunday in Oakland, Ellis is expected to be in the lineup for Monday’s game against the host Suns.

But coach Mark Jackson stopped short of guaranteeing Ellis will play.

“We hope so,” Jackson said. “But the bottom line is we’re really sincere with letting him take as much time as possible. We understand his loss and what he’s going through and we’re there for him.”

Ellis missed Saturday’s home loss to Philadelphia. He was in Mississippi attending his grandmother’s funeral.

– MARCUS THOMPSON II