Stephen Curry is again, and it didn’t take lengthy for him to remind everybody what he modifies when he hits the court docket.
After a 27-game absence, Curry dropped 29 factors in simply 26 minutes in opposition to the Houston Rockets, practically prepared the Golden State Warriors to a comeback win.
Down double digits late, Curry led a surge within the closing minutes and had an opportunity to win it on the buzzer, a deep 30-footer that simply missed as Golden State fell 117–116.
“Seemed nice when it left his palms,” mentioned Kevin Durant. “I used to be somewhat nervous seeing that ball within the air.”
Curry’s return didn’t begin easily. Coming off the bench by option to handle his workload, he checked in halfway by means of the primary quarter however struggled early.
“First run was tough,” Curry mentioned. “Second run was nice.”
That second run got here shortly. He started to search out rhythm earlier than halftime, then took over in stretches throughout the third and fourth quarters, scoring 22 of his 29 factors after the break.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr acknowledged the extent of problem in Curry’s return matchup.
“I don’t assume there’s a harder defender within the league for him to have his first recreation in opposition to than Amen Thompson,” Kerr mentioned. “That’s fairly a take a look at. Steph appeared wonderful.”
Regardless of the loss, the larger takeaway was clear, Curry’s presence instantly shifts every little thing for Golden State.
“You may simply really feel it,” Kerr mentioned. “We’re again within the combine. We’re again within the battle with Steph. … It doesn’t take a lot for him to search out his rhythm. His rhythm can also be our rhythm. … He alters every little thing.”
Curry, in the meantime, is staying measured as he works again from what he described as a lingering knee concern.
“Bought to be good and do the suitable factor for the suitable causes,” Curry mentioned. “All I’m trying ahead to is Tuesday.”
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