Steph Curry was surprisingly benched during the fourth quarter in the loss against the Timberwolves.

“A little bit surprised…” Steph Curry gets honest about playing only 30 minutes in loss against Timberwolves

Steph Curry

Head coach Steve Kerr surprisingly benched Steph Curry against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the start of the fourth quarter of what was billed as a must-win game for the Dubs, which the Warriors eventually lost 114-110. The decision surprised everyone, even Curry, who spoke about the situation at the post-game press conference.

The Golden State Warriors are in a battle to secure a place in the post-season in the hotly contested Western Conference, where every win and loss have a domino effect up and down the standings.

They entered the game hoping to fend off the surge from the league’s most in-form team, the Houston Rockets, who are on an eight-game winning run.

Steph Curry, when asked during the post-game press conference if he was surprised about his coach’s decision to keep him on the bench for the duration he did during the fourth quarter, had this to say about his willingness to help out in pivotal moments.

Obviously, comparing it to last game and the normal rotation, I want to play as many minutes as I’m fresh and able to. So, a little bit, knowing that they were going on a run.

Curry said

The Warriors were quick off the block and won the first half 54-46, and although the T-Wolves staged a comeback, they cut the Warriors’ lead to three points at the end of the third quarter.

However, Coach Kerr’s decision to rest Curry for the game’s first five minutes proved fatal as the Wolves went on a 19-8 run. Despite the reintroduction of the “Baby-Faced Assassin,” the Warriors couldn’t capitalize as the Wolves held on to win the game by the closest of margins, even though veteran shooting guard Klay Thompson missed an opportunity to tie the game with a three-point attempt late on.
Related: Steph Curry has bigger influence than Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant in the game, claims Celtics legend

Coach Steve Kerr defends decision to rest Steph Curry

Coach Steve Kerr’s decision apparently backfired during last night’s 114-110 loss away against the Minnesota Timberwolves, his choice of benching star player Steph Curry for 11 straight minutes in the fourth quarter of the game. He was apparently brought back in with six minutes left on the clock, but sadly, it was already too late, as the damage had already been done.

However, Coach Kerr would not heap the blame on his decision to leave his star guard out. His decision was based on preserving Curry’s fitness and not resting the franchise’s burden on him.

We can't expect to just ride Steph game after game after game. We've put the burden of this franchise on his shoulders for 15 years. We're trying to win the game. And we're trying to keep him fresh, too.

Coach Kerr said

Steph Curry, who had earlier wished for a sense of urgency from his team, agrees that their chances of making it to the playoffs have become slimmer as they sit one game up from the hottest and most in-form team in the league, the Rockets. The Warriors must now treat every game as an NBA Finals if they want to keep the Rockets at bay.