The Golden State Warriors find themselves at a critical juncture as their franchise cornerstone, Stephen Curry, appears to be running on empty. After weeks of carrying the team, head coach Steve Kerr has made it clear: Curry needs a break.
Just two games removed from making history as the first NBA player to sink 4,000 career three-pointers and mere days after celebrating his 37th birthday, Curry looked uncharacteristically off his game in Golden State’s 114-105 loss to the depleted Denver Nuggets on Monday night.
“He’s exhausted. Steph has been carrying us for a while now, and he’s been spectacular,” Kerr admitted. “But you can see it—his energy just isn’t there. We need to find a way to get him some rest.”
Curry’s struggles were evident as he shot just 6-of-21 from the field, including a 4-of-14 mark from beyond the arc. Despite managing 20 points, seven assists, and four rebounds in nearly 36 minutes of action, his seven turnovers proved costly, fueling Denver’s 24 points off Golden State’s 20 total giveaways.
Teammates are aware of Curry’s heavy workload and the defensive attention he constantly attracts.
“We try to take as much pressure off him as possible,” said guard Gary Payton II. “But he’s got someone chasing him every second he’s on the floor. That wears you down.”
Now, the Warriors must decide whether to rest their star when they host the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night. Kerr plans to consult with Director of Sports Medicine and Performance Rick Celebrini before making a final call.
Curry’s recent milestone moments have only added to the physical toll. On March 8, he became just the 26th player in NBA history to surpass 25,000 career points, and on March 14, he hit his historic 4,000th three-pointer in a win over the Sacramento Kings. The next day, he turned 37, highlighting both his brilliance and the growing need for careful workload management.
Golden State is currently in the midst of a pivotal seven-game homestand, which wraps up Thursday against the Toronto Raptors. The Warriors had rattled off seven straight victories before Monday’s loss and have posted a stellar 14-2 record with Jimmy Butler in the lineup since his debut on February 8.
With the playoff race tightening, keeping Curry fresh is of utmost importance.
“He’s been running on fumes lately,” Kerr admitted. “We have to seriously consider giving him a game off so he can recharge. It’s not just about today—it’s about making sure he’s ready for the stretch run.”
Whether that rest comes Tuesday night against Milwaukee remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: a rejuvenated Curry is essential for Golden State’s postseason hopes.
