NBA Playoffs 2019: Stephen Curry makes no excuses following rough Game 3 against the Houston Rockets

Scott Rafferty

NBA Playoffs 2019: Stephen Curry makes no excuses following rough Game 3 against the Houston Rockets image

Stephen Curry wasn't himself in the Golden State Warriors' loss to the Houston Rockets in Game 3.

In 44 minutes of action, Curry finished with 17 points on 7-for-23 shooting from the field. He missed two of his nine 3-point attempts and two of his three free throw attempts in a game that was decided by only five points.

According to Tommy Beer of Rotoworld, it was the first time in Curry's career that he's taken more than 22 shots and scored less than 18 points.

After the game, Curry was asked about whether or not his dislocated finger played a role in his finishing — he missed seven shots in the restricted area, per ESPN Stats & Info — but he didn't make any excuses.

"If I'm on the court, I have to produce," Curry said, according to Ben Golliver of The Washington Post.

Curry was also asked about his missed dunk in overtime that would've cut Houston's lead to three points had he made it.

"That was pretty self-explanatory right there," Curry added.

"I was feeling pretty good. I had a nice head of steam. Probably a little bit of frustration, too, with how the rest of the night went. Not my finest moment."


Game 3 wasn't the first time Curry has struggled in this series — he scored 18 points on 5-for-12 shooting in Game 1 and 20 points on 6-for-16 shooting in Game 2.

Curry will have an opportunity to bounce back on Tuesday, when the Rockets host the Warriors for Game 4. 

Scott Rafferty

Scott Rafferty Photo

 

Scott Rafferty is an experienced NBA journalist who first started writing for The Sporting News in 2017. There are few things he appreciates more than a Nikola Jokic no-look pass, Klay Thompson heat check or Giannis Antetokounmpo eurostep. He's a member of the NBA Global team.