March 2024, Golden State Warriors vs Orlando Magic: A visibly agitated Draymond Green is seen berating an official as Stephen Curry gently pats him back—a quiet gesture signaling it would be the best time to stop. But Green being Green, keeps directing his yells at referee Ray Acosta in protest for a foul on Warriors swingman Andrew Wiggins. The words, though inaudible, leaves several teammates intervening as Green’s angry intensity keeps climbing. Finally, the second whistle cuts into the tense air. Green exits the court swiftly.

As he disappears into the locker room amid a barrage of hoots and cheers from opposing fans, Curry is seen dejectedly looking at his retreating teammate’s back. A little while later, he fails to hold it in anymore. Hiding his face with his jersey, Curry’s tears escape freely. But despite his best efforts to hide his emotions, resurfaced images clearly indicate the heartbreak he just endured. “We know how important … this part of the season is. We don’t want to have self-inflicted wounds,” the veteran said in a post-game interview, after their 101-93 win. The irony of the situation is exactly a year later, Curry would go through similar emotions—this time on his own accord.

As things stand, the Warriors find themselves at a critical juncture. Looking to replicate the 2022 season, Steve Kerr’s leaving no stones unturned to carve a path toward Round 3. But that’s not too easy, especially if you stand face-to-face against Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards. And perhaps, Curry realizes that, too. And perhaps that’s exactly why he reacted the way he did despite a Game 1 99-88 win.

As per reports, the 37-year-old sustained a mild strain on his left hamstring early in Game 1’s second quarter. After exiting the court, the player went back to the visitor’s locker room, emerging only during the midway break. But his face said it all. After a long season that was supposed to end on a high note, the player was on the verge of getting sidelined “for at least the next three games” as per an NBA.com report. Promptly, Kerr hugged him. “That’s all I could do. I just feel so bad for him. Everything that he does. How much he cares,” the coach said later. Unfortunately, after tonight’s game, it became ever more clear to the Dub Nation why Steph’s injury brought him to tears as Kerr’s gambit horrendously backfired.

The Golden State Warriors went down 2-1 in their second-round Playoff series against the Timberwolves after a 97-102 loss. Notably, this is the Warriors’ second straight loss in the series after winning the first game. And with Curry out, things just don’t look good for them. This showed in Steph’s body language tonight at the Chase Center. With his team trailing in the 4th quarter, Curry took a seat in the front row as the cameras focused on him. But he didn’t turn his gaze to the camera. Instead, the Baby-Faced Assassin hung his head low, looking down at the ground rather than watching his team lose.

Maybe Steph knows that the Dubs had a chance in this series. But Steve Kerr’s game plan tonight? That killed any hopes of the Warriors winning this game. Tonight, his men did something that hasn’t happened in the NBA in 18 years! The Dubs only shot one 3-pointer in the first quarter tonight. And they didn’t make a single three-pointer in the first half of the game! Contrast that to Steph Curry’s usual antics when he drains threes like he’s playing pickup basketball at the Y. His inability to help his team must have hurt Curry to no end. Especially given the fact that only 5 points separated the Dubs and the T-Wolves at the final whistle.

And it wasn’t just Steph who seemed to realize this. The Dub Nation cried out online after seeing their best player look helpless and dejected.

Here are some of the reactions from X that best encapsulate the feelings of both Steph Curry and his fans.

Dub Nation sympathizes with Stephen Curry after heartbreaking reaction to Game 3 loss

One fan understood the situation. They knew why Steph cried in the locker room as they lamented the devastating loss. “There’s a reason why he was crying when he got hurt. obv he’s running out of chances with age but idk if we ever gonna get a chance like this, where it’s wide open and he would be the best player in any series he played. Just devastating,” they wrote on X.

You can see what this fan is getting at, right? Stephen Curry is 37 right now. And he just suffered the first hamstring injury of his NBA career. The time for a title push is truly running out. But this year could’ve been it for the Dubs with the Western Conference wide open. Next year, teams will be better, stronger, and more prepared. And making a push for the title will be that much harder.

Another fan lamented Steph’s absence tonight. “Steph woulda closed this out with ease tonight, it’s gotta be so sick for him rn mannnnnnn,” they wrote. And it is interesting to think what could have been if Steph didn’t injure himself in the first Game. He had 13 points in 13 minutes in Game 1. Given how close the subsequent games have been, someone as lethal from beyond the arc as Curry could have been a difference maker. After all, we’ve all heard greats like LeBron James constantly say how no lead is “safe” with Steph on the court.

But not everyone was sad for Steph or empathetic. Instead, some members of the community were irate with Draymond Green and others. “Draymond has lost it 🤦‍♂️,” wrote an X user. Another added, “Draymond is a clown sometimes man. Don’t get me started on Podz.” And if you watched the game tonight, you know exactly what they’re mad about. Draymond Green fouled out with 4 minutes left on the clock in tonight’s game. What’s worse is that things weren’t much better when he was on the court. Green had more turnovers (5) than points (2) and rebounds (2) combined. Brandin Podziemski also had a stinker in Game 3. He grabbed 5 points in 39 minutes played tonight off 1-10 shooting. He simply disappeared tonight at a time when the Dubs needed him the most.

All in all, the last two games have been an absolute train wreck for the Golden State Warriors. Steve Kerr and his men have somehow managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. So it’s no wonder Steph cried in the locker room. If the same issues pop up in Game 4, we think the Dub Nation may join him.