The Golden State Warriors showcased their resilience on Saturday night, securing a hard-fought 123-114 victory against the Utah Jazz at the Chase Center. However, the post-game buzz wasn't solely about the win; it was dominated by a light-hearted moment involving superstar Stephen Curry and a basket that sparked a fun debate.
Curry's Explosive Return and the 'Was It a Dunk?' Moment
Returning to action after sitting out a game due to a sore left ankle, the 37-year-old Stephen Curry led the charge for the Warriors, dropping a team-high 31 points. His performance was crucial, but a particular play in the second half became the talk of the night. During a third-quarter surge where the Warriors erased a double-digit deficit, Curry executed a backdoor cut and finished at the rim with a contested attempt that hovered between a high-release layup and a rim-grazing slam.
The play left even Curry amused. After landing, he turned to his teammates on the bench and jokingly asked, "Did I dunk it?" The Warriors' bench erupted, and the moment quickly went viral.
Curry's Candid Post-Game Admission
When questioned about the play during the post-game press conference, Curry offered a refreshingly honest take. A reporter asked if, after 17 years in the league, he counted that attempt as a dunk.
"I was joking with the whole bench because last year in Philly, I said that was my last dunk," Curry explained. "And then I surprised myself when I got in the air that I was high enough and then I made my mind up at the end. I was gonna try to turn it over, so I'm gonna count it, just because who knows how many chances I get, but I'll have to ask the locker room if they agree with me or not."
While the official stat sheet may not record a dunk, for Warriors fans and Curry himself, the moment of athleticism and the joy it brought will certainly count.
Warriors Overcome Draymond Green's Ejection
The victory did not come without its share of drama. The Warriors had to navigate the final 26 minutes of the game without their defensive leader, Draymond Green. Green was ejected late in the second quarter after picking up two quick technical fouls for arguing a non-call with official Kevin Cutler.
The ejection occurred with 2:25 left on the clock in the second quarter, allowing the Jazz to push their lead to 60-48, their largest of the night. Despite this setback, Golden State displayed remarkable grit.
Key factors in the comeback win included:
- A 10-5 run to close the first half.
- Dominating the third quarter 42-31.
- Stephen Curry's scoring burst, which included 8 field goals with 6 of them coming from beyond the three-point arc.
With this win, the Warriors improved their season record to 19-12. Their next challenge is a road game at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. The team's ability to win despite adversity, coupled with Curry's entertaining antics, made this a memorable night for the Dub Nation.
