Stephen Curry scored 23 points for Golden State in his expected return after missing more than four months with a broken left hand, but the Toronto Raptors defeated the Warriors 121-113 Friday (AEDT) to secure a playoff spot.
After being sidelined 58 games, Curry led Golden State out of the tunnel to a big ovation – as strong as his neon sneakers, a rose and a yellow. He missed his first two shots, but had three assists, including a flat hit without hitting behind Andrew Wiggins.
He finished with seven assists in 26 minutes. The double MVP hit a 17-footer for his first basket at the start of the second quarter, then got a huge reaction for a 3-point pointer well beyond the arc shortly before half-time. He was 3 out of 11 within a 3 point range for the match.
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“It feels like the first day of school has started again,” said Curry, 31, earlier today after filming.
“It’s sort of like going back to playing basketball at the highest level. There is a process to that.”
Norman Powell scored a career high of 37 points for Toronto, who clinched a playoff spot with a victory in a rematch of the NBA Finals last year. The Raptors won the streak in six games, ending with a victory in Golden State’s last game in their former Oakland arena.
Kyle Lowry added 26 points and 10 assists, and Serge Ibaka had 13 points and 13 rebounds for the Raptors, who won at Phoenix Tuesday night to end a three-game losing streak.
“Knowing that Steph would be coming back, we knew it was going to be a great evening, a great atmosphere,” said Lowry. “One of the best players in the league was coming back from an injury, we were a little more focused and focused on him, but coming here is a great regular season game.”
Damion Lee scored 23 points and Marquese Chriss had 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Warriors, who lost 10 straight games at home.
Golden State led 62-55 at halftime but took an 85-83 lead in the third over Eric Paschall’s pointer – with Curry on the bench, nothing less. After Toronto regained the advantage, Paschall tied 95 on a free throw with 9:39 left in the fourth quarter, but the Raptors countered with five straight points. A 3-pointer from Lowry and a powerful dunk from OG Anunoby helped Toronto stretch his head moments later.
Curry came back with 3:51 left and hit a falling layup with two minutes remaining which shot the Warriors in 113-108. Wiggins added a pointer to 3 to bring the score to 113-111, but Pascal Siakam made two baskets in 15 seconds to keep Toronto’s head secure.
Lee stole the ball from Powell with 25.8 seconds remaining and was struck by Powell. But he missed the two free throws and then two 3-point tries after consecutive offensive rebounds.
The curry trained Monday with the G League Santa Cruz Warriors, then was called back later in the day in a highly anticipated promotion.
His return to action came without most of his familiar supporting cast – Draymond Green missed his fourth straight game with a left knee injury, and Klay Thompson remains with a torn left ACL.
