The Warriors’ run seemed sparkling, and the win against the Nuggets was a big boost, but the loss to the Rockets last night was a bad game for Stephen Curry for more reasons than one. That was no way Curry, not even the worst of him could be that. It was probably the worst game of his career, being held to just 3 points in 33 minutes. The heated conversation with Rockets HC Ime Udoka was pure cinema, and it didn’t put Steph in the best of looks complaining to the refs. But Udoka’s comments on the exchange probably put a huge taint on Curry’s legendary reputation.
“When people start complaining about foul calls or crying about physicality, you’ve done your job,” Ime Udoka told The Athletic. “That’s the first step in winning the battle. So I told my team, when this team starts crying about it, up the intensity, up the aggressiveness, and make the refs adjust to you.”
Curry’s thoughts on this bring a whole different perspective to things. He joked about a canceled dinner reservation at the Rockets coach’s wife’s International Smoke restaurant being the reason behind the conversation. This was followed by a virtual white flag waved by the Chef when it came to the decisions made by the refs in the Warriors’ loss. But after the events that transpired, does it look like Steph might be hiding behind a facade?
Ime Udoka, former Boston Celtics coach, coaching a celtics game.
While usually being arguably the best shooter of all time, the Rockets clash must’ve been a weird look on Curry. He missed nine of his 10 shots, had more turnovers (four) than points (three). Meanwhile, the man guarding him probably had the game of his life. Amen Thompson executed the Rockets’ vigorous and physically aggressive game plan to perfection, not giving Steph a second to blink with the ball in his hands. But these tactics left Warriors forward Jimmy Butler infuriated.
“To me, it’s astounding. I don’t know how many years he has? Sixteen? I’m pretty sure it’s been happening for 16 straight years. It really angers me that he’s on my team and gets hacked like that.” This, coupled with the controversial fouls drawn by Draymond Green, has sent the Warriors fanbase into exasperation.
Dub Nation leads NBA protest against officials as Ime Udoka and co. celebrates
You ought to see the Warriors’ Instagram post highlighting the loss right now. It’s a dead tie between a reflective state and the whole of the Dub Nation, out to get the NBA officials after their disastrous class last night. “Warriors vs refs like normal” and “Investigate those refs, we didn’t play well, but they were not letting us play physical” were the best ways to put the notion forward. But the most vexed reactions were those to Draymond Green’s flagrant foul on Rockets’ Alperen Sengun.
But comments like “The refs fr reviewed this for 5 minutes and said he intentionally wound up and hit his face,” or, “Normal shooting motion, with Sengun clearly in the restricted area. This should be a foul on Sengun… but when your name is Draymond Green, it’s a flagrant,” and “This was a horrible call. It’s gonna be one of those calls the NBA will apologize for after it’s all said and done,” there was no stopping to target the neutrals. All these highlighted an alleged agenda being formed against the Warriors.
There was a wave of them understanding the lack of quality that can’t be blamed on the poor officiating. But the signs have been too evident if you’re a Bay Area rep. Dray’s bouts with the refs have been ongoing for a long period now. The Golden State fans are just hopping on the bandwagon. For Ime Udoka, though, this was just fuel to put their foot on the gas even more throughout the season.
Mar 17, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) walks off the court with time remaining during the final seconds of the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
But these protests are all hyperbole heading into the Warriors’ next game against the Suns. As for Ime Udoka’s Rockets, they look to continue their 15-wins-of-17 form into their next game against the Clippers at the Intuit Dome.
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