Stephen Curry is, after all, still a human with flaws as the Golden State Warriors star’s unexpected shooting slump continued on Sunday night. Fortunately for him, they defeated the Utah Jazz 94-92.
Curry was once again a phony, ending with only 13 points on a dreadful 5-of-20 shooting from the field, including an even dreadful 1-of-13 from beyond the arc. Curry’s NBA Fantasy owners are probably hitting their heads against the wall right now.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who has usually kept things in perspective, took a more pragmatic take on his alpha dog’s unlikely troubles.
“Steph looks great physically. The last few games he’s playing some of his basketball in terms of handling the point guard duties. He’s taking care of the basketball, he’s playing great defense, shots just aren’t going.”
“He’s seemed inhuman for so long. I think everybody just expects him to be in a groove all season long and it’s just not the way it works,” he added.
Talked to Steph Curry about his dipped shooting percentages and the familiar on/off ball debate: “It's very refreshing that wasn't a conversation while I was playing well for so long. Now that I'm not, it comes back up. Like clockwork. I love it." pic.twitter.com/b5MrjhQT8Z
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 13, 2022
Unusual blunder
Curry had numerous amazing achievements in the NBA, but he has never made a game-winning shot at the buzzer in his 13 years with the Golden State Warriors – until now.
The Warriors beat the Utah Jazz 94-92 at Chase Center on Sunday, and it had nothing to do with Curry’s outside shooting. Instead, despite Curry’s terrible shooting, the Warriors (34-13) won their second game in a row. He finished with 13 points on 5-for-20 shooting from the field and 1-for-13 shooting from beyond the arc.
However, Curry did not appear to be disturbed by the figures. Not while the game is being played nor when speaking with season-ticket holders. No even after that, when he spoke to reporters.
“The temptation is to let missed shots and all of that become a reaction because you’re preoccupied, or you’re all in your feelings with missing shots,” Curry stated. “I’m past that phase of my career. It’s just a matter of not ever losing confidence with what I’m capable of doing.”
Steph Curry asked about possible reasons for his shooting slump: “Who gives a damn about excuses?” pic.twitter.com/lL5OIhPmjH
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 24, 2022
Injuries, absence of other players
Curry has refused to concede that there are some reasons for his shooting slump, although a number of things could explain it.
Notably, the Warriors have recently suffered injuries.
Curry has struggled to find a regular sniper. Klay Thompson has been in and out of the lineup since his return two weeks ago from two-season-ending injuries to his left knee (2019) and the right Achilles tendon (2020).
Thompson was also ruled out of Sunday’s game after the Warriors’ medical team found he “tweaked” his left knee during a pre-game walkthrough.
Curry has also been without two crucial players. Warriors veteran forward Andre Iguodala has missed a total of nine games this season, including the last two, due to a left hip injury.
Draymond Green, the Warriors’ veteran forward, has missed the last eight games due to a painful left calf and a damaged disc in his lower back, which will keep him out for at least the next two weeks.
Curry has also been nursing his own injury. He’s missed four games this season due to a left hip contusion, a left quad contusion, and a sore right hand. And those ailments could still affect him.
Despite his downturn, Curry is currently averaging 26 points per game, which ranks third among all guards in the league. In addition, he averages 1.4 steals per game, second only to Draymond Green on the Warriors.