Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry spoke candidly after his team’s 131-116 loss to the Houston Rockets in Game 5 of their Western Conference first-round series. The loss, which trimmed the Warriors’ lead to 3-2, highlighted a series of struggles for Golden State, including a lackluster start and defensive woes.
Curry explained that the early fouls set the tone for the game, as the Warriors found themselves in a hole early on. “The first three fouls were—I guess they were fouls—and it kind of set the tone,” Curry said. “Then they got confidence, went on a run, and got the crowd into it early.”
Despite a strong start from the Warriors, including a few successful three-pointers, Houston’s aggressive play forced Golden State into foul trouble, allowing the Rockets to build a significant lead.
The Rockets dominated from the outset, going on a 40-24 run and building a 27-point halftime lead. Curry acknowledged that Houston’s early dominance was tough to overcome. “They were the aggressor,” he added. “We need to come out with a better effort in the first six minutes of Game 6.”
Curry also touched on the importance of experience in these high-pressure playoff moments. Reflecting on the similarities between this series and a 2019 Game 5 loss in Memphis, Curry noted, “We have an opportunity to write our own story and how we bounce back.” His words hinted at the confidence the Warriors carry, despite the challenges they face.
In terms of his own performance, Curry was visibly frustrated after finishing with just 13 points on 4-of-12 shooting. However, he remains focused on helping his team rebound in Game 6. “It’s a balance,” he said. “We have some things we can do going into Game 6 to get more organized and get a better rhythm offensively.”
Curry’s thumb injury, which has been the subject of much attention, did not seem to affect his performance, though he was quick to deflect concerns. “As long as I can play, you keep it moving,” he stated.
Despite the loss, Curry praised the resilience of the Warriors’ bench. “They took the challenge on,” Curry said, acknowledging the effort made by the reserves during the final 18 minutes of the game. “They made their starters come back in, which was something.”
With Game 6 looming on Friday at Chase Center, Curry remains determined. “We need to show that resilience we’ve had over the last two months,” he concluded, emphasizing the importance of bouncing back and fighting for the win.
The Rockets, led by Fred VanVleet’s 26 points and Amen Thompson’s 25, now look to force a Game 7 with a potential upset. Golden State will need to regroup and focus on getting back to their winning ways in front of their home crowd.
