Warriors Star Steph Curry Sends Strong Message to Clippers Ahead of Play-In Game

Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors 2025-26 regular season has come to an end as the play-in tournament awaits. 

This isn’t uncharted territory for them. The play-in has been a necessary stop the multiple times since the Warriors won the championship in 2022.

But this season feels different. For many wrong reasons. 

While many teams are happy merely with the opportunity to punch their ticket into the playoffs, Golden State has been through so much adversity in the last seven months, making this season feel like three in one.

GettyJimmy Butler III of the Golden State Warriors.

From inconsistencies and drama to injuries and poor play, a lot had to have gone wrong for the Warriors to finish the season eight games under .500. A lot, in fact, did go wrong. 

January was technically the month that ended almost all hope this season. Jimmy Butler went down and out for the season and Curry began a lengthy shut down due to a nagging runner’s knee. 

At that point, all momentum was disoriented. 

Golden State is still fortunate it has the opportunity to continue this (weird) season. Sure, the team has to get through not one, but two single-elimination games just to see the defending champions in round one, but it’s better than accompanying your couch right after the regular season finale.

Wednesday could be the last day of the Warriors season, or it could be the start of something truly miraculous. 

Steph Curry Issues a Strong Message Ahead of Play-In Game

As the best player and leader of the team, the least you can do is talk things up. 

Curry has already done that ahead of the play-in game vs. the Los Angeles Clippers.

Perhaps he may not feel great inside about his team’s chances, but he has to float some words out there to instill confidence in his guys. That much is a must. 

Golden State doesn’t have a whole lot to be boastful about entering Wednesday; heck, the Warriors will play the same Clippers team that beat them without Kawhi Leonard last night. 

But still, Curry has to take the lead as Mr. Brash. Kind of like he does when he busts out the “Night-Night” celebration after a clutch 3-pointer. 

For Golden State’s sake, let’s hope we see plenty of that in two days.

“Super easy,” Curry said when asked about how difficult it is to quickly adapt to a single-elimination setting,” because we’ve been there before whether it’s a Game 7 or the many play-in games that we’ve been unfortunate enough to play-in.” 

While Curry doesn’t seem to be phased by the quick transition from regular season to the play-in tournament, he acknowledged the shift requires a certain metal edge. 

“Mentally, it’s just come with the right approach, the right mentality,” Curry expressed. … You’re not gonna play perfect, but can we just play hard for 48 minutes and not shoot ourselves in the foot with turnovers … if we can do those things, you give yourself a chance, and that’s all you want.

Dubs Teeter Entering Do-or-Die Game

There have been promising stretches in the four games Curry has been back, but far too many lapses. 

It doesn’t take a genius to tell the Warriors aren’t where they need to be. Injuries and lack of continuity have disrupted the season to no return. Golden State’s best available players haven’t had enough time to establish a rhythm.

At this point, it sure feels like the only hope for the Warriors on Wednesday is Curry. If he can go retro and splash away from the 3-point line, that’s about the only scenario where Golden State can come out victorious. Or so it feels that way.

The Clippers have been the much better group since the start of 2026 and absolutely hold multiple edges over the Warriors. 

But with a player of Curry’s gravity, Golden State is willing to take its chances against anyone.

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