Even after Game 3 on Wednesday night, when the Boston Celtics stayed in control for a 116-100 victory and a 2-1 series lead, the what-me-worry Warriors collectively shrugged. Draymond Green casually said his performance reminded him of excrement. Klay Thompson, because he has the aura of a surfer just roused from a nap, spoke of some serious vibes. And Stephen Curry laced up his Fendi sneakers, walked slowly into the interview room and confessed that he probably aggravated the same injury that caused him to miss the final 12 games of the season.
Wait. Did Curry, who might deserve Finals MVP win or lose because he’s shining so bright during this series, admit that he felt as though he strained a muscle in his left foot again? The 34-year-old superstar — who has to run around and do most of the scoring because his veteran teammates aren’t doing it consistently enough — may have a busted wheel? Errr, maybe it’s time to start sprinting for that plane after all.
The Warriors may never say it publicly, but now it’s okay to panic. To be concerned — very, very concerned — about Game 4 on Friday night, and about the outcome of this series.
Curry will play in Game 4, he declared Thursday after getting a night’s sleep and time to evaluate what happened during the loose-ball scramble with Celtics big man Al Horford. While Curry was going to his knees to secure the ball, Horford toppled over his left foot. The two-time MVP recognized the same pain he felt in March, when Boston’s Marcus Smart similarly crashed into Curry’s foot while going for a loose ball.
This time, Green said he heard Curry screaming. Teammates gathered over him as he laid on his back, grimacing.
The wailing and the wincing were the scariest sights and sounds for Warriors fans, but by then they should’ve picked up on the earlier warning signs.
The degree at which Curry’s mouthpiece hangs from his lips can serve as an appropriate barometer for the Warriors’ emotional state. Though he will stick it out after making big threes, on Wednesday night the jutting piece of plastic indicated a heightened sense of concern.
In the third quarter, Green picked up one of his six fouls, and Curry walked toward the team’s sideline, shaking his head, slightly spreading his arms, his protruding mouthpiece telling the story of his frustration. Fans keenly aware of their star’s emotions might have used his mouthpiece as their anxiety interpreter.
If that method is too abstruse, then Warriors fans could have sensed their team’s fate by watching Green’s performance.
Through much of this series, Green has been diminished into just a vocal role guy. He’s played like a podcaster who loves talking about NBA hoops, rather than an actual NBA player. While Green imposed his will as a bully in Game 2, his tactics failed miserably Wednesday night as the Celtics proved they couldn’t be intimidated twice in a row. Green finished with two points, four rebounds and three assists — and as the host of The Draymond Green Show, he summed up his night like a good podcaster who knows how to capture an audience.
“Like s—,” Green said of his play. Five-year-old Draymond Jr., sitting beside his father, didn’t flinch at the profanity. Because children know the truth, too.
Thompson, the other half of the Splash Brothers, kept his postgame interview G-rated. And he didn’t care much for the vulgarity hurled at Green…
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