After enduring one of their most turbulent regular seasons in recent memory, battling injuries and inconsistency, wondering whether it was even worth pushing for a playoff spot, the Golden State Warriors are one win away from reaching the postseason after getting past the Los Angeles Clippers in the Play-in Tournament.
Stephen Curry , whose late-season return from injury sparked a debate among fans and analysts about whether the franchise should instead shut him down and focus on the future, led the Warriors' comeback after posting 35 points and drilling the go-ahead 3-pointer with under 50 seconds to go in the game.
It was a vintage performance from the former unanimous MVP, one that reinforced head coach Steve Kerr ’s decision to let him return to the lineup. After the game, Kerr responded to the debate around Curry’s return and let them know that his performance was everything that defined the Warriors so far.
The Warriors’ path to the Play-In was anything but smooth. The season started with great expectations that this was the year they could finally capture the last ring of their long dynasty, but Jimmy Butler 's torn ACL in January almost immediately squashed their title hopes.
Curry himself dealt with lingering knee issues all season, and fans expected the Warriors to shut him down for the rest of the season in hopes that the Warriors could have a great draft pick. But Kerr, and even his longtime teammate Draymond Green , knew sitting out wasn’t an option.
“It was just a beautiful display of competitive will, and this is why Steph came back. So, to everybody who thought Steph should have taken the rest of the year off, this is what he does. This is who he is,” Kerr stated .
“If he can compete, he's going to compete,” he added. “And it was just incredible to watch.”
For a team that experiences the highest of highs, grinding through a difficult season and finding a way to compete, for Kerr, was one of the greatest achievements this illustrious squad has ever done. And Curry’s performance in that game was a major factor.
After struggling in the first half, scoring eight points on 2-of-8 shooting and leaving the game temporarily for what seemed to be a knee issue in the first quarter, Curry came out at halftime firing on all cylinders, scoring 27 of his points while knocking down 10 of his 14 field goals.
What once looked like a season lost for the Warriors has now been rejuvenated, revealing their postseason ceiling, thanks in large part to the superstar who has always carried them through injuries and season turmoil.
Curry’s return and emphatic performance in the do-or-die game ultimately symbolize the Warriors and Kerr’s championship philosophy. Even without Butler, other players stepped up, such as Green, who had two key steals at the end of the game that sealed the win, as well as deadline acquisition Kristaps Porzingis , Gui Santos and Brandin Podiemzki, who all combined for 57 points.
For fans who wanted the team to tank — despite how understandable it was given the team’s rocky season — Golden State’s Play-In victory once again proves just how impactful Curry is when it matters the most.
He’s never been one to back down, no matter how steep the challenge facing the Golden State Warriors . That resilience has now set up a showdown with the Phoenix Suns , with a postseason berth — and potentially a deeper championship push — on the line.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Apr 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
