In today’s Dub Hub:
- Steve Kerr says the Warriors are “back in the fight” after Steph Curry’s return gives the team new hope.
- Rockets’ Kevin Durant gives Steph Curry his flowers after beating the Warriors, 117-116.
- Mavs’ Cooper Flagg follows up 51-point performance with a 45-point game in win vs. Lakers.
The Golden State Warriors lost their 42nd game of the season Sunday night, ensuring they will finish under .500 for the first time since 2021.
And yet, none of that mattered because for the first time in nearly two months, Steph Curry was back on the floor.
In his return, Curry looked like himself with the same combination of flare and ultra-efficiency that has defined his game throughout his career. He finished with 29 points on 11-of-21 shooting from the field, including 5-of-10 from beyond the arc
in 26 minutes of playing time.
More importantly, he told reporters afterward that he “felt good” — a sign the Warriors will gladly take after a 27-game stretch without their franchise cornerstone.
Despite not starting as the Warriors ease him back into action, Curry immediately shifted the energy of the team. The moment he checked in, the Chase Center crowd rose to its feet, delivering a reminder of just how much he means to the entire organization.
And with his return came a moment that felt bigger than the game itself.
For the first time since Seth Curry joined the Warriors, the Curry brothers shared the floor together. After the game, the two described the special moment as a dream come true.
The game itself nearly gave Curry a storybook ending.
Golden State held a late lead after Gary Payton II converted an open layup to put them ahead by one with 19.6 seconds remaining. But Houston answered, as Alperen Sengun delivered a clutch bucket on the other end, flipping the pressure back onto the Warriors and setting the stage for a familiar script.
One last shot, 11 seconds on the clock, and the ball in Curry’s hands.
He came off a Draymond Green screen and got a clean look from three to win it, but this time it didn’t fall in, and the Warriors lost, 117-116.
In the bigger picture, Sunday’s result won’t carry much weight anyway. With just four games remaining, the Warriors are essentially locked into the 10th seed in the Western Conference, making these final games more about building momentum for the Play-In Tournament — and reintegrating Curry — than the result itself.
Still, Curry’s return drastically changed the belief of the entire team. In a nightmare season defined by injuries, simply getting back their best player felt like the biggest win of the year.
For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Monday, April 6th:
Warriors News:
Steph Curry returns for Warriors, reminds everyone: ‘He’s Steph Curry for a reason’ | The Athletic
Curry admitted on Saturday that he has to face a “new normal” with his knee. He has done all the rehab work he can do, but there remains a chance the pain could return. As for his first test back, Curry passed with flying colors, according to Kerr. The Warriors enjoyed having their leader back on the floor, knowing he can lift them when they are down.
“I don’t think there’s a tougher defender in the league for him to have his first game against than Amen Thompson,” Kerr said. “So that’s quite a test. Steph looked amazing. He’s worked really hard for this. You can see it doesn’t take much for him to find his rhythm. And his rhythm is also our rhythm. All the off-ball stuff that we get as a result of his movement.”
Kevin Durant credits ‘incredible’ Steph Curry after Warriors’ loss to Rockets | NBC Sports Bay Area
“We had the game in control, and then they put No. 30 in the game, and he got them back into it so easily,” Durant told Grant Liffmann of NBA on NBC. “He makes shots so quickly, and he looked incredible after a couple of months off.”
Steph Curry, Warriors comment on the star’s exciting return in loss to Rockets | NBC Sports Bay Area
NBA News:
Flagg passes Knueppel in ROY odds after ‘statement’ game | ESPN
Flagg followed up his teenage-record 51-point performance in Friday’s loss to the Orlando Magic with 45 points in a near triple-double in Sunday’s 134-128 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
“I think it’s definitely some sort of statement,” said Flagg, who also had nine assists, eight rebounds, two steals and a block in the victory. “But it just goes back to what I said: I’m confident in myself, and I know what I’m capable of. I’ll just let the rest of the stuff figure itself out.”
Seeding possibilities for the final week of the NBA regular season
In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:
Report: Warriors to fill out roster by signing Charles Bassey
In 17 games (16 starts) with the Santa Cruz Warriors this season, Bassey averaged 20.4 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks in 29.1 minutes per game on 61.0%/40.5%/.65.9% shooting. In eight NBA games, he’s averaged 2.9 points and 2.6 rebounds on 62.5% shooting from the field in 6.6 minutes per game (15.6 points, 14.3 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, and 1.4 steals per 36 minutes).
Follow @unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.
