ENGLEWOOD — Watch the final moments of the Warriors’ play-in win against the Clippers and tell me this team was supposed to be vying for lottery odds.
Stephen Curry took a moment to soak in the celebration after making the decisive shot.
Draymond Green shared a hug with Steve Kerr at midcourt, both seemingly reluctant to let go.
Behind the podium after the thrilling 126-121 victory, the coach appeared proud as he emphatically pumped his fist to emphasize his point.
“This is why Steph came back,” Kerr remarked. “For anyone who thought he should have sat out the rest of the season, this is who he is. If he can compete, he will. It was just amazing to watch.”
Curry, 38, returned from a two-month hiatus with a stellar performance. The Warriors trailed for much of the game, but Curry propelled the team to victory with one of his classic bursts of scoring. After halftime, he scored 27 of his 35 points, including a jaw-dropping 16 points within just six minutes in the third quarter.
Green hit his last of seven 3-pointers with 50 seconds remaining, creating space for Curry. Curry’s iconic shot sailed through the air; the force of his follow-through sent him tumbling into the crowd, where he embraced his fans before turning back to celebrate, fist pumping and letting out a triumphant roar.
“I just wanted to savor the moment,” Curry shared.
This moment meant so much more than just a play-in game.
“For one night, we are champions again,” Kerr said. “Yeah, it’s just a play-in game, but I don’t care. It was beautiful to witness.”
Curry, Green, and Kerr have a combined legacy of four championships and six NBA Finals appearances.
“I told them this was within reach, given all the wins we’ve had and everyone stepping up. It was a wonderful display of competitiveness considering our circumstances—age, performance drops, injuries, and all that,” Kerr noted.
As Kerr pointed out, Curry faced a tough road returning. “We discussed it a lot, and if there was any chance to extend our season, we wanted to be on the court,” Curry said. “I never imagined it would end up like this. … It was exhilarating. That’s what makes it all worthwhile.”
The Warriors now have another shot to extend their season on Friday in Phoenix. Their ongoing play is a testament to Curry’s determination, especially after dealing with a knee issue that many believed would only sideline him for a couple of weeks after leaving a game back on January 30.
As injuries kept Curry sidelined for longer than expected—27 games up to now—the calls for a full shutdown grew louder. Why risk further injury and potentially give away a valuable draft pick for a situation that might quickly falter against the Thunder?
But the Warriors are acutely aware that they may not have many more opportunities left.
Every elimination game could mark Curry’s last postseason appearance.
“It’s something to think about, as it’s part of life,” Curry reflected on such existential thoughts. “But I don’t dwell on that during the game or while preparing.”
This idea has been on Kerr’s mind throughout the season, particularly when he described the team as a “dynasty in decline.” He revisited the subject of the team’s future before the game.
“We all understand what we’ve built together, and this might be a chance we never see again,” he said. “We are all at a stage where we have to be aware of the ultimate possibility.”
Curry is under contract until next season, though he acknowledged recently that knee issues have pushed him to adapt to a “new normal.” There are no guarantees that next year will be easier without certain key players.
Kerr has noted the “very tough year” the team has faced, particularly with season-ending injuries to players like Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody.
This situation only fueled Curry’s motivation to return.
Even if the season were to conclude poorly on Friday or in Oklahoma City, Curry could still shine in the playoffs once again.
“When he was out, we played well, but I felt we lacked a closer,” Al Horford said. “We needed someone to elevate us, and he did that tonight.”
It wasn’t long ago that just a single postseason victory would have exceeded the Warriors’ expectations. The franchise had participated in only 11 postseason games over 15 years before Curry joined, and now, the play-in win marked Golden State’s 176th playoff game since his debut in 2013.
“That’s how this organization transformed from worst to best,” Green observed. “Steve was correct. That’s why he came back—because whenever he’s on the floor, there’s always a chance.”
