Stephen Curry’s return was almost how Dub Nation drew it up. After being on the sidelines for 27 games, the veteran sharpshooter came back refueled and hungry. It was noticeable as he powered the Warriors to a near-comeback in the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets. A game-winner would have been the cherry on the cake. However, Golden State couldn’t get on the same page for the final play, and one very familiar name was in the middle of all the tension.

Knowing Curry was getting the final shot, Draymond Green called for quick adjustments. He gestured and asked Brandin Podziemski to set up a double-screen. It would give Curry an open look. Instead, the young Warriors pillar camped the perimeter, forcing the two-time MVP to shoot over a double-team. Down by just one point, Curry ended up missing the shot, and the Warriors’ floor general wasn’t pleased.

Almost immediately after the buzzer, he called Podziemski over. Green appeared to explain the final play to the 23-year-old. Nonetheless, the misjudgment kept the Warriors from getting an important win. This wouldn’t just be the perfect return for Stephen Curry. The Dubs were on a three-game losing streak heading into Sunday’s clash against the Rockets. A win tonight would have helped snap a skid.

Yet, the Warriors put up a valiant effort to push the Rockets. Curry led the way, scoring a team-high 29 points while coming off the bench in his return. Green also provided a handy contribution with seven points and 12 assists on the night. The only place the Warriors fell short was in execution. They managed to subdue the Rockets’ rebounding, generating more points from second-chance opportunities. But Houston’s size posed a problem, anyway. The Dubs couldn’t contain their offense. Green was in foul trouble, while Kristaps Porzingis fouled out early in the fourth quarter.

Kevin Durant torched his former team with 31 points on close to 60% efficiency. Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun combined for 47 points as the Rockets shot 55% from the field and made 13 triples. These performances handed the Warriors their fourth straight loss, dropping them to 36-42, meaning they’ll finish below .500 for the first time since 2019-20. Head coach Steve Kerr, whose contract is expiring, can attribute most of these losses to not having a proper team to field, let alone win with. What is his mindset going forward?

Steve Kerr doesn’t fault the Warriors’ effort, despite Curry’s return ending in despair

The night may have ended in a loss. But aside from that final play, the Warriors produced stellar teamwork. That’s the biggest benefit of getting Stephen Curry back. The team runs like a freshly filled engine with the Baby-Faced Assassin. Despite taking his fourth consecutive loss, Steve Kerr is hopeful about the future. “You can just feel it,” Kerr said. “We’re back in the fight with Steph… It doesn’t take much for him to find his rhythm. His rhythm is also our rhythm… He changes everything.”

Offensively, there wasn’t much to fault. Green and Curry’s chemistry paved the way for a smooth experience. The Warriors recorded 34 assists on 42 made field goals, turning the ball over just 10 times. “Just couldn’t get that stop there at the end,” Kerr added. “But the guys were fantastic.”

Beyond anything Curry brings, becoming the heart of the team is his greatest strength. The Warriors scored 52 points in the paint against a much taller team. They limited the Rockets’ second-chance points to well under their average. Curry brings organization and order. That’s the pivotal switch the Warriors were waiting for. No matter the adversity, with Curry, they have a chance. That’s the belief Kerr and the Warriors are moving forward with.