The Warriors simply weren't leaving Chase Center without a win on Thursday.
After falling in a 2-0 series hole for the first time in the dynasty era, Golden State was hit with more adversity ahead of Game 3. Star forward Draymond Green was suspended for stomping on Kings All-Star Domantas Sabonis' chest during an altercation in Game 2, leaving the Warriors without their enforcer in a must-win game.
With the pressure of dropping into a historically insurmountable 3-0 series deficit, superstar guard Stephen Curry did what he does best.
As we've seen so many times in the postseason, Curry morphed into the Human Torch, scorching the Kings for 36 points with six 3-pointers to lead Golden State to a commanding 17-point victory.
Steph Curry was spectacular in the Game 3 win! The @warriors can now tie the series at 2-2 in Game 4 🍿
— NBA (@NBA) April 21, 2023
36 PTS
6 REB
6 3PM
SAC/GSW Game 4: Sunday, 3:30pm/et on ABC pic.twitter.com/Tz42qqcEZw
With Green absent, head coach Steve Kerr elected to play four-out, one-in around big man Kevon Looney — a strategy that worked to perfection. Looney finished with 20 rebounds and a playoff career-high nine assists, finding Warriors shooters all over the court.
After Golden State made its statement to get back into this series, Curry came to the defense of his teammate during his postgame interview with the "Inside the NBA" crew.
"There's a lot of distractions and noise around the series. Losing both games up there (in Sacramento) was a tough way to start and you want to come home with some good focus. And then you get that call that he's suspended and it's a tough blow," Curry began.
"Yesterday at practice we had really good energy and understood what the mission was. We understood that we couldn't change anything about the decision that we knew was wrong but that if we could come out and win tonight, it changes the momentum of the series and gives us an opportunity to make it about basketball.
"That was Draymond's message the whole time. Make the right adjustments, come with the right energy, protect our home court. When he comes back on Sunday [for Game 4] we've got to capitalize off of that and try and even up the series."
Curry finished with a loud and clear message to anyone who doubted the Dubs after the news that Green was suspended.
"They say Draymond's got a history — so do we."
"They say Draymond's got a history, so do we."
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 21, 2023
Steph on how the Warriors bounced back in Game 3 pic.twitter.com/31n31qq023
The Warriors will look to even the series with the Kings on Sunday, April 23, at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
