By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
In an emotional postgame address that highlighted the resilience of his veteran superstar, head coach Steve Kerr passionately defended Stephen Curry’s decision to return from a grueling 27-game absence during the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season.
Responding to critics who suggested the 38-year-old should have remained sidelined for the remainder of a difficult year, Kerr’s conviction was palpable as he struck the press conference table to emphasize his point. “This is why Steph came back,” he declared, framing the legendary guard’s performance as the ultimate rebuttal to those who doubted the wisdom of his late-season comeback.
The 60-year-old’s praise followed an electrifying 2026 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in Intuit Dome on Wednesday, a game defined by the four-time NBA champion’s signature second-half heroics and critical support from the frontcourt.
While Curry exploded for 27 of his 35 points in the final two frames, Kerr was quick to credit the total team effort that allowed the comeback to materialize. “Kristaps kept us in the game with his scoring, his passing, blocked a couple of shots, and then when it was Al’s turn to come in, he just flipped the switch from what was a cold night to knocking down all these shots,” he noted.
When asked specifically about the impact of Latvian Kristaps Porzingis, who provided 20 points, five rebounds, and two blocks in 28 minutes, Kerr was glowing in his assessment of the 30-year-old Liepaja native. “He’s a great player. He won a championship in Boston. He’s been in big games. He’s played in big FIBA games. Kristaps is a really talented dude. That type of three-point range. The shot blocking. The length. The IQ,” he replied.
The experienced tactician remained awestruck by the display, noting that such competitive fire is inherent to Curry’s DNA. “Everybody out there who thought Steph should have taken the rest of the year off, this is what he does, this is who he is,” he added.
By rallying from a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit, Golden State proved that its postseason pedigree remains intact despite a losing regular-season record, heading to a do-or-die matchup against the Phoenix Suns in the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday.