On Sunday night, Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors suffered a 110-115 defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers—the same opponent they will play again in two nights. But this time, the season is on the line. The Warriors and Clippers will meet in a single-elimination contest for the right to continue the season.
It has been tough sledding all season for Curry and the Dubs. Even that is a grave understatement.
The Season That Wasn’t
This season was envisioned to be a highly successful one, especially considering what Golden State was able to do after it acquired Jimmy Butler at the trade deadline in February. With many fans feeling that the Warriors could have won the second-round series over the Minnesota Timberwolves had Curry not gone down with injury, there was strong belief heading into this season that this would be the year of another deep Warriors playoff run.
Then injuries put a stop to it all.
Butler and Curry incurred significant injuries in the same month. One started a long ACL rehab journey while the other began a two-plus month shutdown. It was a devastating couple of gut punches—both landing less than two weeks apart.
Still, Golden State has the opportunity to right all the wrong that has happened, but the team will be up against it against a competitive Clippers team on Wednesday night.
The Minutes Restriction: A Luxury No Longer Available
Curry has only played four games since returning from a runner’s knee injury that sidelined him for 27 consecutive games. For an aging player coming off a lengthy injury recovery, that is not nearly enough time to recuperate and prepare for the intensity of a winner-take-all play-in game.
But Curry and the Warriors have to play the hand they have been dealt.
The 38-year-old Golden State star has progressively seen his minutes restriction softened in the four games he has been back. For the all-important fifth game, Curry will certainly need to plan on playing some more if he hopes his team has a chance to beat LA.
In Sunday’s loss to the Clippers, Curry logged 29 minutes, the most since returning to action the previous Sunday against the Houston Rockets.
For the Warriors to maximize their chances of winning Wednesday’s game, Curry will almost certainly need to cross the 30-minute mark.
The Good News: Golden State Is Ready to Unleash Its Superstar
The good news is that Golden State seems ready to place a heavier load on its superstar.
According to team insider Anthony Slater, the Warriors are hopeful Curry can play at least 30 minutes in the play-in game.
“Steve Kerr said he thinks Steph Curry can stretch to at least 30 minutes in the play-in game on Wednesday night vs Clippers and ‘hopefully more,'” Slater wrote on X. “He said last night Curry wouldn’t play 40. Curry said Friday he thinks he will be able to push for a few more than planned.”
The kid gloves are off. The Warriors have no choice but to trust their franchise player.
Does He Have Another Superman Performance in Him?
Because they will need it. Badly.
At 38 and nearing the end of his 17th season, Curry has already been asked to do an awful lot. After a two-plus month layoff, now he has been tasked to get his struggling team—one that is eight games below .500—through two play-in games just to set up a date with the defending NBA champions in the first round.
It would be one thing if the Warriors got to play at Chase Center behind their boisterous fans. But because they are on the road, they will need a true Steph-tastic performance to come out victorious.
The Challenge: A Clippers Team That Knows Them
The Clippers are not a favorable matchup. They are healthy, deep, and have home-court advantage. They just beat the Warriors on Sunday, and they know exactly how to attack Golden State’s porous defense.
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are two of the best two-way wings in the league. James Harden is still a capable playmaker. The Clippers’ role players—Norman Powell, Ivica Zubac, and Terance Mann—have all had moments against the Warriors this season.
Golden State will need more than just Curry. They will need Draymond Green to be Defensive Player of the Year Draymond. They will need Klay Thompson to have one of his vintage shooting nights. They will need the bench to contribute.
But everything starts with Curry. If he is limited, the Warriors have no chance. If he is himself, they have a puncher’s chance.
The Verdict: A Season on the Line
The Warriors are 37-45. They are the No. 10 seed. They have been decimated by injuries all season. And now, they are one loss away from going home.
Curry has been here before. He has carried teams that had no business winning. He has silenced doubters, defied Father Time, and delivered championships.
But this might be his toughest challenge yet.
The minutes restriction is gone. The training wheels are off. The Warriors are asking their 38-year-old superstar to save their season.
And if anyone can do it, it is Stephen Curry.
Wednesday night cannot come soon enough. The season is on the line. And the greatest shooter in NBA history is about to be unleashed.