SAN FRANCISCO — The Warriors recently faced a tough moment without Moses Moody, who suffered a significant knee injury in his last game. His absence, particularly felt in the locker room rituals he took over from Kevon Looney, left a noticeable void.
“You just don’t feel that energy today,” Draymond Green remarked following the Warriors’ narrow 109-106 win against the struggling Nets.
Moody’s injury, which will keep him out for nine to twelve months, still weighs heavily on the team’s psyche. It’s tough to lose a teammate in such a heartbreaking way, and it clearly affected the Warriors in their first game since his injury.
“What happened with Mo really hit us hard,” shared Guy Santos, who had a standout performance with 31 points. “He’s such a special guy, and knowing what he went through—it’s just hard to deal with.”
As the Warriors navigated their seventh game in eleven days across various cities, coach Steve Kerr expressed concerns about the team’s performance, highlighting a troubling trend of turnovers. Gary Payton II called it “quicksand,” a sentiment that captures the overall feeling of sluggishness.
The frustration isn’t just with recent games; it reflects the season’s struggles, especially with the injuries piling up as they seek to capitalize on what could be one of their last shots at another championship with the current core.
After the game, Kerr maintained that, if healthy, Stephen Curry would play. “It’s that simple,” he said, emphasizing the straightforward nature of the situation.
Curry, who hasn’t played since late January due to runner’s knee, appears to be making progress. He was expected to participate in a full-contact scrimmage last Sunday, though that didn’t occur. With only nine games left, there’s still uncertainty regarding his return.
“It’s concerning to know he wants to come back but isn’t ready yet,” Green expressed. “You’re left wondering how serious it is when he can’t return.”
The victory against the Nets did secure a spot in the play-in tournament for the Warriors, placing them 10th, with potential to advance to the 8th or 9th seed.
When asked about Curry’s possible return this season, Green had mixed feelings. “If there’s any doubt about his knee, I don’t think he should. But if he’s fully healthy, of course he’ll play. You work toward a great season, and the postseason, and you never know when the chance might slip away.”
The Warriors learned about seizing opportunities the hard way in previous seasons. They had anticipated a strong step forward last year but faced setbacks with Curry’s playoff elimination followed by more injuries this season.
“You can’t quit when things get tough,” Green affirmed. “You have to stick together. When things are going south, I’m not going to jump off the ship. Who else will they lean on if not me? I want to be a steady presence for the team while we navigate these challenges.”
