Watch: Steph Curry gets candid on his performance vs Rockets
Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors were eliminated from the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup on Wednesday after losing 91-90 to the Houston Rockets. The Warriors led 90-84 with 3:03 minutes left but were outscored 7-0 for the rest of the game. Golden State lost in a similar fashion in the final group stage game against the Denver Nuggets on Dec. 3.
Curry was asked about the Warriors’ offensive struggles in clutch minutes after Wednesday’s game. He said:
“The pattern of scoreless droughts down the stretch has to be addressed or else we’ll be a mediocre team. I’ll take responsibility for not being able to get us organized and not being able to finish plays. Ball’s in my hands. I got to make shots.”
While the whole team is to be blamed for coming up consistently short in the dying moments of games, Steph Curry taking the responsibility shows his accountability as a leader. He had possession of the ball with 27 seconds left and could have used up the whole 24 seconds to leave the Rockets with less than three seconds to come up with a play.
Curry, however, pulled up for a step back 3 with 11 seconds left. He missed and the ensuing scramble for possession of the ball resulted in a foul. Jalen Green made both the free throws to secure a 91-90 win for Houston. Brandin Podziemski was able to get a shot off, but it was blocked by Jabari Smith Jr.
Steph Curry’s down year coinciding with the Golden State Warriors’ sharp decline in form
The Warriors started the season in a promising fashion, even reaching the top of the Western Conference standings at one point. They have, though, gone 3-7 in the last 10 games and are currently placed fifth with a 14-10 record in the Western Conference standings.
Steph Curry is the team’s offensive leader and his numbers are down across categories. While the drop started as Curry was being forced to sit out fourth quarters as the Warriors blew out opponents to start the season, it has continued during the team’s lean run as well.
The two-time MVP is averaging 22.8 points per game, a significant drop from last season’s average of 26.4 points. He is also attempting fewer shots (16.6 per game, including 9.9 3s per game), which has impacted Golden State’s ability to contend. He had 19 points during the loss to Houston.
The Warriors will next face the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday, and fans will be desperately hoping to see the old Steph Curry back who won the Clutch Player of the Year award last season.