Steph Curry
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Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors is a four-time NBA champion.
The Golden State Warriors fell to 21-19 on Sunday night after getting blown out by the Atlanta Hawks 124-111 at Chase Center.
Stephen Curry scored 31 points. Jimmy Butler added 30. Together, they combined for 61 points and accounted for half of the Warriors’ 10 made three-pointers.
It was not enough.
The Hawks outshot Golden State from deep, hitting 15 threes on 38.5% shooting compared to the Warriors’ dismal 23.8% from beyond the arc. Atlanta also capitalized on turnovers, outscoring the Warriors 28-11 off giveaways. By the time the third quarter ended, the Hawks had built a lead as large as 25 points.
After the game, Curry was asked about the team’s struggles. His response focused on the pressure facing the Warriors’ role players—specifically Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski, who combined for just five points in limited minutes.
Curry’s message was part sympathy, part motivation. And it revealed just how heavy the burden has become for Golden State’s young players.
What Steph Curry Said About the Warriors’ Role Players
Moody and Podziemski have struggled to find consistency all season.
Moody finished Sunday’s game with two points in 12 minutes. Podziemski had three points in 13 minutes. Neither player logged more than 13 minutes on the floor, and both have seen their roles shrink under head coach Steve Kerr as the Warriors try to figure out their rotation.
When asked about their struggles, Curry did not sugarcoat it. But he also made it clear that he understands what they are going through.
“It’s part of the journey,” Curry said. “When they came here, everything was already under the spotlight, so they probably feel a heavier weight than even I experienced early in my career, where you just have to diagnose and be honest with yourself after each game about what you could have done better, but not lose your confidence.”
That is a telling admission from Curry. Even as a two-time MVP and four-time champion, he acknowledged that the pressure facing Moody and Podziemski is different—and perhaps greater—than what he faced early in his own career.
When Curry entered the league in 2009, the Warriors were not a high-profile franchise. They had not won a championship since 1975. The spotlight did not shine on them the way it does now. Curry had time to develop without constant scrutiny.
Moody and Podziemski do not have that luxury. They joined a Warriors team that has won four championships in the last decade. The expectations are sky-high, and every game is analyzed under a microscope.
The addition of Butler last season and the continued presence of Curry and Draymond Green has only intensified the spotlight. Young players are expected to contribute immediately, and when they do not, the scrutiny is relentless.
Curry knows that. And he is asking Moody and Podziemski to embrace it.
Joseph Dycus
“We obviously have a lot of attention. There’s a lot of noise. We have a very dedicated, loyal, passionate fan base. Everybody in this room who covers us on a daily basis.”
Steph Curry on the pressure Moses Moody and Brandon Podziemski face as young players on the Warriors.
Steph Curry’s Advice for Struggling Role Players
Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors
GettySteph Curry has led the Golden State Warriors to four NBA championships.
Curry did not just sympathize with the young players. He also gave them a road map for how to navigate the pressure.
“You know you’ll get an opportunity in the next game to make an impact,” Curry said. “Quick decisions, shoot when you’re open, don’t be results-based. It’s about the process and the way you approach the game that helps us win in the short term and you as a player in the long term.”
That is the kind of advice that only comes from experience. Curry has dealt with injuries, slumps, and high-pressure situations throughout his career. He knows what it takes to stay confident when things are not going your way.
For Moody and Podziemski, the challenge is staying ready even when their minutes are limited. They need to make quick decisions when they do get on the floor. They need to shoot when they are open, regardless of whether the previous shot went in or not. And they need to focus on the process, not the results.
That is easier said than done, especially when the Warriors are losing and the fan base is growing increasingly frustrated.
What Went Wrong for the Warriors Against the Hawks
Sunday’s loss was not just about the role players. The entire team struggled.
The Warriors shot 10-of-42 from three-point range as a team. That is 23.8%, which is unacceptable for a team that lives and dies by the three. Curry went 3-of-11 from deep. Butler went 4-of-9. No one else could consistently knock down shots.
Meanwhile, the Hawks were on fire. Luke Kennard led all shooters with six made threes, including a perfect 4-of-4 performance in the third quarter that swung the game. Jalen Johnson was dominant, finishing with 23 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists. CJ McCollum, in his first game since being traded to Atlanta, scored 12 points and was a plus-19 in 24 minutes.
The Hawks closed the second quarter on an 18-7 run and never looked back. They outscored the Warriors by 10 points in the third quarter, and by that point, the game was effectively over.
Golden State committed 15 turnovers and were outscored 28-11 off those giveaways. The defense had no answer for Atlanta’s speed and athleticism. And the offense could not make enough shots to keep pace.
What Golden State Must Figure Out Moving Forward
The Warriors are now 21-19 and hovering around the .500 mark yet again.
They have talent. Curry and Butler are both playing at a high level. Green is still one of the smartest defenders in the league. But the supporting cast has not been consistent enough, and that is becoming a major problem.
Moody and Podziemski need to figure out how to contribute in limited minutes. The Warriors need their role players to step up when they get opportunities. And they need to find a way to shoot the ball better as a team.
With Jonathan Kuminga likely to be traded and the deadline approaching fast, the Warriors are at a crossroads. They can either figure out how to maximize this roster, or they can make a move to shake things up before February 6.
For now, Curry is doing what he can to keep the young players engaged and confident. But at some point, the role players need to deliver.
Final Word for the Warriors
Steph Curry’s comments after Sunday’s loss were honest and insightful.
He acknowledged the pressure facing the Warriors’ role players. He sympathized with their struggles. And he gave them a road map for how to navigate the challenges of playing for a high-profile franchise.
But sympathy only goes so far. The Warriors need production. They need Moody and Podziemski to step up when their numbers are called. They need their role players to make open shots and play with confidence.
Curry can provide guidance, but he cannot do it all by himself. The Warriors are learning that the hard way.
Sunday’s loss to the Hawks was another reminder that this roster has serious questions to answer. And with the trade deadline approaching, the clock is ticking.