When the Golden State Warriors found themselves in a tough battle against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the Western Conference Semifinals, every game became critical. But Game 5 brought unexpected drama — not just on the court, but off it too. Draymond Green made headlines when he commented on Steph Curry’s absence due to a hamstring issue, and now, Curry is addressing the remarks directly.
Draymond, always known for speaking his mind, said after Game 5: “It’s tough not having Steph out there. But man, sometimes you just gotta push through. These moments define you. If it were me, I’d have found a way to play.” The comment raised eyebrows, suggesting Curry should’ve suited up despite his injury.
When asked about it post-series, Curry responded with a mix of professionalism and clarity.
“Look, I’ve played through injuries before — y’all know that,” Steph said. “Finals, playoffs, even regular season games when it really mattered. But I’m also smart enough to know when I’m risking something long term. That hamstring wasn’t something I could just ignore and go out there at 60% hoping it holds up.”
Curry didn’t sound angry, but there was definitely some edge in his tone. “I know Draymond. I know what he meant — he’s emotional, he’s passionate, and he wants to win. We all do. But sometimes we forget there’s a bigger picture.”
He continued, “If I go out there not fully healthy, not only do I risk making it worse, but I also hurt the team. Because I’m not myself. I can’t move the same. I can’t defend the same. And most importantly, I can’t help us win in the way we need.”
Curry also emphasized the trust he has in the Warriors’ medical staff. “It wasn’t just me saying, ‘I’m not playing.’ This was a decision we made together. Our staff, the coaches — everybody agreed it was best to sit this one out and not take a bigger risk.”
He even acknowledged Draymond’s fire and leadership, saying, “That’s who he is. He’s the heartbeat of our team. He speaks his mind, and I respect that. But it’s important for all of us — even me — to sometimes take a breath and recognize the full context.”
The two have had their fair share of heated moments throughout their careers, but there’s mutual respect. Curry made sure to shut down any talk of a rift. “We’re brothers. We’ve won too much together to let something like this come between us.”
As for the future? Steph remains optimistic. “This group has been through it all. One game, one comment, one injury doesn’t define our journey. We’ll be back. And stronger.”
In typical Curry fashion, he ended his statement with a grin. “Tell Dray I’ll be ready for Game 1 next season.”
Message received. 💬🔥
