Stephen Curry Sends Blunt Message After Warriors Loss in Return

Negotiating a pick-and-roll near half-court with his four-time championship-winning teammate, Draymond Green, Stephen Curry shot a quick look at the clock just before two Houston Rockets defenders started to converge. 

Curry, sensing the double-team, went between his legs, pumped the basketball into the ground and threw a step-back move before launching over the tight, lengthy contest of Jabari Smith Jr. 

The arena lost its breath for a second. Then the game was over.

A moment he has owned many times over his iconic career, even superman wasn’t able to deliver the walk-off shot and a statement. Mind you it was his first game in over 60 days.

GettyGolden State Warriors star Stephen Curry reacts.

The two-time MVP still finished with 29 points on better than 50% shooting from the floor. 

After being met with a chorus of cheers and applause upon checking into the game, it took mere seconds for Curry to see his first double-team. Curry went so long without playing that he perhaps forgot what it felt like to be a magnet to multiple defenders all game. 

Yes, the Golden State Warriors lost another game. But it didn’t really feel like it this time. It felt more like a build-up to something special.

At least that’s what Curry feels.

Stephen Curry divulges mindset after loss and going into final games of the season

In a matter of a week, Curry went from not knowing how soon he’d return to the court to scoring 29 points against a stingy defense and getting the opportunity to do what he did a little over three years ago when cashed a walk-off game-winner at home against the Rockets.

Unfortunately, Curry couldn’t mirror that moment last night, but it is nevertheless hard to come up with anything negative about last night’s game despite the loss.

Sunday was supposed to be a feel-out game for Curry. Having last played in January, the 12-time All-Star perhaps first looked to see how much he wanted to push himself last night. He maybe wanted to see how loose he could get. 

To the watchful eyes of the fans, it looked like he had missed all of one day, not 64. 

Last night was a step in the right direction. Curry believes he will only feel and play better from here. That’s why he is already beaming with confidence when looking ahead to Golden State’s next game. 

“Got to be smart and do the right thing for the right reasons,” Curry, with conviction in his tone, said after the game. “All I’m looking forward to is Tuesday.”

Luckily, tomorrow night’s game should be a much easier test. The Warriors are back at home against their northern California counterparts, the Sacramento Kings, and have an opportunity to get back in the win column. 

Plus, there’s something about Curry against those Kings. Remember, he doesn’t view them as rivals. 

Curry, Warriors aiming for steady ramp up to close regular season

It’s great seeing No. 30 out there again. Veering around screens, deking defenders, launching mindless-but-assertive 3-pointers — what isn’t there to love about his game.

The goal now is to get Curry to 100% game-speed as the play-in tournament approaches. That game will certainly hold a playoff-type atmosphere. It’s going to be fast, physical and full of emotion — circumstances the two-time MVP very much thrives in — but will require Curry to completely get his legs back under him before then.

Golden State will continue staggering his minutes; it’s expected Curry will play no more than six minutes each quarter and likely sit out if overtime is necessitated. 

Curry and the Dubs are back in action tomorrow night at Chase Center. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.

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