Golden State Warriors' star Stephen Curry has been at the center of the team's efforts throughout March, averaging 26.6 points and 6.6 assists over 33.5 minutes per game. However, Curry's performance against the Denver Nuggets on Monday raised concerns as he struggled with a right lower back strain. Despite this setback, Curry became the first player to reach 4,000 career 3-pointers during the game, which unfortunately concluded in a 114-105 loss for the Warriors.
Curry played 35 minutes against the Nuggets, finishing with 20 points and seven assists. His efforts were hindered by seven turnovers and a missed opportunity on 10 of his 14 3-point attempts. This defeat ended Golden State's seven-game win streak, with Denver managing a victory even without key players Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Christian Braun.
The strain on Curry's back first appeared before the Warriors' game against the Sacramento Kings. Head Coach Steve Kerr noted Curry's exhaustion, emphasizing the need to find rest for him.
"He's tired, so we got to get him some rest. Just you can see it. He doesn't have his energy right now," Kerr remarked.
Curry himself acknowledged his lackluster performance.
"Obviously I didn't play great at all, so everybody including Coach is going to try to figure out why," Curry stated.
Despite feeling fine when questioned about fatigue, Curry's physical demands are evident. Kerr mentioned plans to consult with Rick Celebrini, the team's Director of Sports Medicine and Performance, to evaluate Curry's condition ahead of their upcoming game against Milwaukee.
"So we've got to absolutely consider giving him a night and getting him rejuvenated for the sake of him and the remainder of our games," Kerr explained.
Jimmy Butler highlighted that Curry has been carrying the team for the past month. The Warriors will need to weigh the benefits of resting their star player to ensure his long-term health and performance.
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