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Stephen Curry is feeling the pressure from the drama surrounding the Golden State Warriors, with rumors that the team’s dynasty is in danger of dying, Draymond Green’s recent suspension and a record of more losses than wins.
When the going got tough on Saturday night, Curry shut down the Warriors in the final quarter and Golden State rallied to a quick win. Curry now hopes to help the Warriors win back-to-back games for the first time in more than six weeks when they visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night.
Curry scored 37 points in a 124-120 home win over the Brooklyn Nets and was unstoppable in the fourth quarter, scoring 16 points on 7-for-7 shooting, including two 3-pointers.
His scoring helped Golden State win for the fifth time in their last 17 games. It was a feel-good moment for Curry, just days after the team met Wednesday to discuss topics including Green being suspended indefinitely for punching Phoenix Suns Jusuf Nurkic in the face Suspended.
“There was a lot of talk around us, a lot of noise, and we had a meeting the day before the (Los Angeles Clippers) game that was important for us to clarify where we were and what was going on,” Curry said. “Everyone said how they felt.
“The game of basketball brings a lot of challenges on the court, but the friendships and connections you have, especially with a guy like Draymond, who we’ve been playing against for over a decade, all of that puts pressure on you. ” Because you’re trying to figure it out. It’s just basketball, but you’re putting a lot of pressure on yourself while dealing with all the emotions that are going on. “
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said Curry’s generosity has been huge for the team.
“It gives us confidence,” Kerr said. “I think that’s the biggest thing, when you’re in trouble, you can get a little bit mentally exhausted. You have to find the confidence, and I think Steph gave us that confidence.”
The Warriors have won four of the past nine NBA championships, with their last winning streak coming on November 1 and November 3. When the two teams met in early December, the Warriors defeated the Trail Blazers 110-106.
They’ll try to do that against the Trail Blazers, who have lost six straight. That’s just Portland’s second-longest skid of the season, behind only eight players last month.
The Trail Blazers have lost their first two games in a five-game homestand, including a 131-120 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday.
Anfernee Simons scored 33 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists for Portland. Teammate Jerami Grant returned after missing four games due to a concussion and scored 27 points on 12-of-20 shooting.
“It feels good to be back out there, but I wish we had won,” Grant said.
The quartet of Simmons, Grant, Deandre Ayton and Malcolm Brogdon are playing in the same game for the second time this season. The first time was the loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in the season opener. Simmons injured his thumb and missed the next 18 games.
Portland coach Chauncey Billups said having everyone back — all four have missed time with injuries — feels like starting over.
“It does. It’s essentially like being at the start of the season,” Billups said. “It takes teams two to three weeks to figure out the real rotation and who plays better with who. It takes time. You can’t just throw guys back together.”
The Golden State Warriors have won seven of the past eight meetings against the Blazers.
