Stephen Curry has been below par through the first two games of the Western Conference Finals, and Steve Kerr has an idea of what the problem might be.
Addressing reporters this weekend, the Golden State Warriors coach indicated that Curry’s struggles so far during their series against the Houston Rockets were less about his health and more about him being out of rhythm.
“I think Steph’s healthy,” said Kerr, per Anthony Slater of The Athletic. “He’s moving fine. But it’s more rhythm than anything. If you come back from six weeks [absence] in the regular season, chances are you’re going to have a game where nobody’s focused, the other team is playing a fourth in five nights, the defense isn’t that tough, you’re going to make a bunch of 3s and feel good.”
Indeed, the two-time MVP Curry missed 31 games during the regular season with various leg and foot injuries, including a left MCL sprain suffered in March that kept him sidelined until the second round of the playoffs. As for the conference finals, he is averaging an uncharacteristic 17.0 points per game on 44.1 percent from the field and a miserable 15.4 percent from three.
The Rockets meanwhile have made a point of being physical with Curry and attacking him on defense, which has helped them tie the series at one game all. The star guard’s poor play has even made him the butt of jokes on Twitter.
That said though, Curry finding his rhythm shooting the ball again could swing the series back in Golden State’s favor real quick, and Kerr knows it.
