Heading into Game 2, the Golden State Warriors have a screaming void. An irreplaceable gap that no one can fill. However, they need to brace for life with Stephen Curry. The Baby-Faced Assassin’s Grade 1 Hamstring sprain will keep him away, but that shouldn’t stop the Dubs from doing what they do best. Winning. And right before the second game, the head coach, Steve Kerr, feels the loss.
When Steph left the court at Target Center on Tuesday, no one understood the seriousness of the matter. Surely, the star was suffering from a thumb injury, but holding his hamstring like that? Soon reports said that a Grade 1 injury will keep him away from at least a week, take this till Game 4. Now, Steve Kerr might have figured out where or how things went downhill with Curry.
Speaking on 95.7 The Game, the 59-year-old veteran was asked if he worries about the physical toll a long, intense playoff series, especially one that goes to Game 7, can take on his older players. It’s hard to wonder if fatigue and heavy minutes might be too much for aging stars to handle over time. “Of course it is. That’s something we consider,” Kerr answered. “But you get into these situations where, if you’re in a series, if you want to advance, if you want to survive and advance, then what are you gonna do? Play Steph 32 minutes and lose a game? You really gotta do what you gotta do to advance.”
Dec 21, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and guard Stephen Curry (30) look on against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
At 37, Curry plays 40+ minutes in a game, which simply defines his importance on the team. However, that 46-minute Game 7 vs. the Houston Rockets seems to have fatigued his muscles, which could’ve been the reason behind the injury. Here, Steve Kerr showed his ‘selfish needs’ to win; that’s how champions are built, to be fair. “But you’re well aware that the heavy minutes can take a toll. I don’t think there’s any question that going 7 against Houston,” the coach added.
“And the nature of that series, the physicality, the heavy minutes for Steph—yeah, it took a toll. But the alternative is you play him way less, and you lose the series against Houston. Then everybody says, ‘What the hell are you doing not playing Steph?’ I mean, it’s not really like a dilemma at all. It’s just reality.”
There are always two sides to the same story; in this case, too, there are two sides. Well, previously, during the regular season, when Steve Kerr experimented with Curry’s minutes, the fans asked questions as to why he was doing it. Well, the Dubs weren’t at their best back then; 11th seed in the West, remember? But now, when they’re in the Playoffs, sitting Curry shouldn’t be an option, right? Now, bear the consequences.
And while Steve Kerr feels the dejection of losing Stephen Curry to the injury for a week or so, Buddy Hield’s wardrobe malfunction kept the spirit alive. Well, the head coach couldn’t stop laughing when he had to take a timeout to get a pair of shorts fixed. Once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Steve Kerr found some relief in Buddy Hield’s mismatched shorts amidst Steph Curry’s heartbreak
Buddy Hield wore the wrong pair of shorts to the game vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves. Whom did he blame? Of course, Jimmy Butler. Meanwhile, on the court, Steve Kerr had to take a timeout because of his dear sharpshooter’s wardrobe malfunction. And talking about it, Kerr couldn’t stop laughing. “I’ve seen guys try to check into the game over my career where they had the wrong jersey on, or they had a T-shirt on instead of their jersey; I’ve seen that a couple of times. I’ve never seen a guy actually play in a game with the wrong shorts on,” he admitted.
Now, the Warriors have coaches for everything, literally everything, except a fashion coach. So, joking about the matter, Steve Kerr said, “We are currently recruiting from the New York Fashion Institute and looking for a consultant for uniform decisions… I was dying laughing as it happened last night. It’s the first minute of the series; I just found it hilarious. I love Buddy. He’s one of the best human beings I’ve ever met in my life.”
Feb 15, 2025; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield (7) talks to media members during the NBA All Star-Practice at Oakland Arena. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
In the chaos of heartbreak and humor, the Warriors march on. Steph’s absence stings, but the show goes on. Steve Kerr knows the price of greatness. Yet in the middle of worry, came a laugh. Buddy’s fashion fail broke the tension. Now, Game 2 begins with a twist. One star sits while others rise, and the spirit remains. Because that’s what champions do. They find light, even in the dark.
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