Stephen Curry’s recent struggles have drawn concern, and Jimmy Butler is taking responsibility for making things easier on the Warriors’ superstar.
Following Golden State’s 114-105 loss to the Denver Nuggets, Butler emphasized the team’s role in supporting Curry, who has been dealing with a lingering back issue. “It’s okay to be tired. That’s on myself and that’s on us as a unit to pick up the slack for him,” Butler said, via Anthony Slater of The Athletic. “As much as everybody wants to think that he’s superhuman, he’s not.”
Curry, who finished with 20 points and seven assists, shot just 4-for-14 from beyond the arc as the Warriors saw their seven-game winning streak snapped. He admitted after the game that his back has been bothering him for days, saying, “I feel like more so my back that I’ve been dealing with the last couple days. See how that responds tomorrow.”
Butler stressed the importance of limiting mistakes to ease Curry’s workload. “Make sure we don’t turn the ball over, one. Make sure we get a good shot on goal. Execute,” he said. “Whenever you execute and get the ball where it needs to go, that’s my job more than anybody’s. And maybe Dray’s. [Then we make Steph’s] life easier.”
The Nuggets, playing without Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, pulled off the win behind Aaron Gordon’s season-high 38 points. Russell Westbrook contributed a triple-double with 12 points, 16 assists, and 12 rebounds, while Michael Porter Jr. added 21 points and 10 rebounds. Denver held Golden State to just 24.2% shooting from three-point range.
Draymond Green had 10 points, six rebounds, and five assists, becoming the sixth player in Warriors history to reach 6,000 career rebounds. Gary Payton II added 18 points off the bench, while Jonathan Kuminga finished with 13 points and four assists.
Golden State is 14-3 since Butler’s debut, but Curry’s health remains a concern as the team fights for playoff positioning. With the postseason approaching, Butler made it clear that the Warriors must do their part to support their leader.
