OAKLAND — Stephen Curry wanted to play in Game 1, but Steve Kerr erred on caution’s side, reserving the two-time MVP for Tuesday night. With all of the pent-up anticipation, Curry anxiously sat the first 7:40 of Golden State’s 121-116 win over the Pelicans before checking into the scorer’s table.
“It was an eternity it felt like, for sure,” Curry said. “When the lights come back on with the starting lineups, you are usually in that kind of mind-frame. I had to pace myself and be patient with it. It seemed like it took forever, but it was a good feeling to get back out on the floor and let loose and have fun.”
Curry had only started a game on the bench six times in his career. Kerr chose to start Nick Young for the second straight game because he wanted to keep the lineup intact from a 22-point victory in Game 1. Kerr said he liked the idea of substituting Curry for Klay Thompson late in the first quarter.
With 4:20 remaining in the first quarter, Curry removed his shooting shirt and ambled to the scorer’s table. Oracle Arena burst into delirium, showering him with cheers before he even entered the game.
“That was a special moment when Steph checked into the game,” Kerr said. “(It is) always fun to hear our home crowd. Steph has worked really hard over the last six weeks to prepare for this, and I love the ovation he got.”
Only time would tell if we would see the same dazzling, gun-slinging Curry, who hadn’t played since March 23 due to a Grade 2 left MCL sprain.
It took 11 seconds to find out.
On his first offensive possession, Curry caught a Draymond Green pass and fired a 29-footer. Swoosh. All normalcy was restored. Curry went on to score 11 points in fewer than seven minutes.
“It was kind of electric in there,” Green said. “And then he hit that three that fast. It brought a lot of life to the building, a lot of life to our team and spirit. It’s pretty fitting, for sure.”
Curry exploded for 28 points in only 27 minutes Tuesday night. The Warriors outscored the Pelicans by 26 points with Curry in the game.
The superstar point guard’s return came at the most ideal time as Golden State tried to fend off a desperate Pelicans attack. They were crushed in Game 1. It seemed highly unlikely Game 2 would produce a similarly lopsided result, even with Curry back in action.
“We had a feeling New Orleans was going to come after us pretty hard” Kerr said. “So, (it was) perfect timing that he came in, slow first quarter for us, and everything changed as soon as he walked onto the floor.”
As Tuesday night showed, Curry impacts games whether he scores or not.
After his opening three-pointer, Curry attracted a double team on the following possesion. He passed out of it to the cutting Green, who dished to Durant, who found Kevon Looney for an open dunk. The gravitational pull Curry creates is enough to give his teammates, who happen to be some of the world’s best shooters, consistent open looks. Without Curry, Golden State may still be the best team in the world. But its offense is more predicated on Durant, Green, and Thompson creating, rather than benefiting from rapid ball movement whenever Curry is on the floor.
Tuesday night was the first time in about two months that the Warriors have had all four All-Stars healthy. Golden State limped to a 7-10 finish in the regular season, largely due to all of the injuries. But the Warriors have won six out of seven playoff games during their current run, including Tuesday night’s win that extended their Western Conference Semifinals series lead over the Pelicans to 2-0.
Golden State is clicking on all cylinders, poised to defend its throne behind Curry, who looked as fresh as ever Tuesday night.
“It felt great,” Curry said. “(I was) real eager as of late trying to get back out there to be with my teammates and do what I love to do. To get back out there on the floor, play some playoff basketball, and get a big win tonight, it was huge.”