Hours before he slipped on an all-yellow outfit and stood in front of his locker, before he hit his latest “night-night” celebration, before he recorded his seventh double-double of the season, Steph Curry was apoplectic.
After Draymond Green got assessed two technical fouls in rapid succession to get ejected Wednesday night, Curry keeled over. The Warriors were already without Jonathan Kuminga for a massive road matchup against the Orlando, now Green was gone too? Less than four minutes into the game, an exasperated Curry hid his red face in the neck of his jersey.
Curry, once again, lost the defensive yin to his yang. Green, for the fourth time this year and for the umpteenth time of this dynasty, lost his cool in such a manner that removed him from the court. Green is so crucial to the Warriors, any time he puts his availability at risk is a major hit to Golden State’s chances. They’ve had this discussion. They’ve had it so many times.
“We need him,” Curry said after an improbable 101-93 win in Orlando. “He knows that. We all know that. So whatever it takes to keep him on the floor, to be available, that’s what’s got to happen. Especially at this point of the year. Tough way to start the game, but I am extremely proud of every single person that stepped on the floor tonight and responded the way that they did.”
The NBA’s most loyal, unselfish superstar of his generation isn’t going to rip a teammate publicly, no matter how many times he messes up. And Curry loves Green. They’re bonded by 12 years of battles on the front lines together. They’ve won four championships together. And Green’s ability as a defensive savant has made him worth the headaches he induces.
But it was clear Green’s latest ejection struck a nerve. That the Warriors were able to rally their way to a stunning victory over the Magic without Green — and Kuminga — undoubtedly lightened the Warriors’ postgame mood.
“It was a beautiful team effort to respond the way we did and get this win,” Curry said. “We went and took it. That’s a big sign for us, a sign of growth, to be able to respond that way.”
Still, Curry’s emotions ran high — and rightfully so. Every game has serious playoff implications for the Warriors as Houston has won 10 straight and remains on their heels for the last play-in spot.
“We know how important this part of the season is, and our ability to get into a rhythm and secure a play-in opportunity, give ourselves a shot,” Curry said. “You don’t want to have self-inflicted wounds when it comes to that. We all care, we all are passionate about the game and our chances to have something to play for down the stretch. So, give everything you’ve got to this game, and that’s the emotion.”
The details of Green’s self-inflicted wound in the Kia Center were simple. According to crew chief Mitchell Ervin, “after a long diatribe, Green directed egregious profane language towards a game official.” His past history was “absolutely not” a factor in the decision to whistle him for back-to-back technicals with 8:24 left in the first quarter.
Green’s league-leading fourth ejection of the season was “deserved,” Steve Kerr said. Just days ago, the head coach praised Green’s ability to balance his competitive fire with composure; Wednesday was his first ejection since returning from his indefinite suspension. His actions against the Magic don’t erode Kerr’s confidence in Green going forward, the coach said.
But it was a reminder that as Green tiptoes the line, any gust of wind could still push him over the edge. Green has certainly shown improvements in self-control since returning, but his midseason sabbatical didn’t change his DNA. He’s still a fiery competitor with a temper streak. That’s who he is, and that’s not going to change.
Green is still indispensable – in part because of that fire. The Warriors have no choice but to take his latest outburst and move on.
“That’s what we expect from him,” Curry said. “Like I said, we need him out there. Whatever needs to happen for him to be in a space where he can be productive and be in the right mind for us on the court, that’s what has to happen.”