Stephen Curry don finally return to court after two months wey him dey sideline because of knee injury, but him sweet performance no fit save Golden State Warriors from 117-116 loss to Houston Rockets on Sunday night. The man wey dem dey call Chef drop 29 points for just 26 minutes of play, but him last-second three-pointer miss the target as time dey run out.
Curry wey dey 38 years old, come off bench for first time for regular season game since 2012, but him no show any sign of rust. Him shoot 11-for-21 from field and 5-for-10 from three-point line, plus four assists and two rebounds. The fans for Chase Center stand up give am standing ovation when him enter game with 4:54 remaining for first quarter.
Houston Rockets wey dey on five-game winning streak before this match, continue their fine form with Kevin Durant leading the way with 31 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Alperen Sengun add 24 points and seven assists, including the game-winning layup with 11 seconds left wey seal victory for Rockets.
The game dey tight throughout, with Warriors trailing by just two points at halftime. Curry really show him class for third quarter when him drop 11 points and spark 11-0 run wey bring Warriors back into contention. Him even hit big three-pointer between Sengun and Amen Thompson with about 60 seconds left to cut Houston lead to just one point.
Gary Payton II then score layup on goaltending call to put Warriors up 116-115 with 20 seconds remaining. But Durant take charge for other end, find Sengun for the winning basket wey break Warriors heart.
This loss na Warriors fourth straight defeat, leave dem with 36-42 record for season. Dem dey currently occupy 10th position for Western Conference, meaning dem go enter play-in tournament for third consecutive season. Warriors get just four games remaining for regular season, starting with Sacramento Kings on Tuesday.
Curry injury saga don long wella. Him first sustain the right knee injury for January, and initially think say e go only take 10 days to heal. But patella-femoral pain syndrome and bone bruising make am miss 27 straight games. Curry reveal on Saturday say no structural damage dey him knee, but him dey try reach “new normal” with the leg.
“Every time I get on court or try push am for that first month, there was always—I no go call am reaction, but e just no dey heal as fast as you think,” Curry yarn. “The patience then tough wella because na one of those injuries wey you really need let rest. Nothing you fit push through or dey on court while e dey heal.”
Warriors coach Steve Kerr say dem put Curry on minutes restriction to allow am ramp up to full strength for play-in tournament. Despite the restriction, Curry performance show say him almost back to him old self. Him enter Sunday game averaging 27.2 points and 4.8 assists per game for this season.
One historic moment for the game na when Curry and him younger brother Seth Curry play together for first time as teammates. Seth join Warriors this season, and the two brothers share court when Stephen re-enter game at 6:19 mark of second quarter. Na first time two brothers dey together for Warriors franchise history.
Brandin Podziemski contribute 18 points for Warriors, while Gui Santos add 15 points. For Rockets side, all five starters reach double figures, with Amen Thompson adding 18 points and seven assists to help Houston maintain fifth position for Western Conference.
The game nearly turn violent midway through second quarter when Draymond Green and Jabari Smith Jr. exchange words and nearly fight before referees separate dem. Smith finish with 23 points and nine rebounds for Rockets.
Warriors now face tough road to playoffs. Dem need win two play-in games—first against Portland Trail Blazers, then against either Phoenix Suns or Los Angeles Clippers—to qualify for playoffs proper. With Curry back, their chances don improve, but dem need find consistency quickly as season dey wind down.
Rockets on their own part continue their late-season surge with sixth straight victory. Dem go face Phoenix Suns on Tuesday as dem try maintain their position for Western Conference standings.
Curry return dey give Warriors hope for play-in tournament, but Sunday loss show say dem still get work to do. The man wey many consider as greatest shooter for NBA history dey back, but him alone no fit carry team to victory. Warriors need other players step up if dem want make noise for postseason.
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