The Golden State Warriors broke a three-game losing streak on Saturday night, with Stephen Curry's 37 points leading the way in a 124-120 victory over the Brooklyn Nets at Chase Center.
After a team-orientated first-half where they put up 70 points and held a 16-point lead, the Warriors needed all of Curry's brilliance to stave off a Brooklyn comeback that saw them take the lead in the fourth-quarter.
Golden State Warriors' head coach Steve Kerr was blunt in outlining his team's reliance on Stephen Curry this season
The two-time MVP had 16 points in the fourth-quarter, including 12 in a row at one point as well as the game-sealing layup in the final 20 seconds. Curry made all seven of his field-goal attempts in the final period, finishing 14-22 on the night and a remarkably efficient 6-8 from three-point range.
The necessity of the Curry outburst sums up Golden State's play this season, having been far too dependant on the 35-year-old superstar. Speaking postgame, head coach Steve Kerr was blunt on Curry and the state of the team's season to date.
""He's had to carry this team, let's be honest, for the first quarter of the season," Kerr said. "We just haven't been able to build momentum and find lineups that are clicking. He's carried us and then the Draymond news, I think he was emotionally spent the last few days.""
Steve Kerr on Steph Curry: “He’s had to carry this team, let’s be honest, for the first quarter of this season.” pic.twitter.com/pOuT3AGya2
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) December 17, 2023
Kerr's reflection on an "emotionally spent" Curry is an interesting point after the 15-year veteran was limited to just 41 combined points on 41 shots against the Phoenix Suns and LA Clippers earlier in the week. Green was ejected in the third-quarter of the Suns game, with the 33-year-old indefinitely suspended by the league for another unsportsmanlike act.
Curry's leadership was unfairly questioned in the wake of Green's further misdemeanour, not aided by the Warriors recent form that's seen them lose 13 of their last 19 games. Yet despite the team's struggles, Curry has continued to play at an all-NBA level.
The 2022 Finals MVP led Golden State in scoring in each of the first 11 games, with the streak only ended by a two-game absence due to a slight knee injury. Curry is averaging 29 points, the fourth-highest of his career, and is doing so on 42.3% three-point shooting.
With an 11-14 record, the Warriors reliance on Curry is hardly a winning method nor sustainable. Whether it's through Klay Thompson, who had 54 points in the last two games, or another avenue, Golden State need to find supplementary scoring to relieve the need for a Curry carry.