Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry is standing by his struggling teammate Jordan Poole after the team’s Game 4 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Poole, who has struggled throughout the playoffs, went scoreless in the game and was benched for the entire fourth quarter.
Despite Poole’s struggles, Curry refused to single him out and instead emphasized the need for the team to play better as a whole.
What did Stephen Curry say?
“We get questions about him a lot and it’s our whole team, we’re all together in the sense of trying to figure out how to win playoff games,” Curry said of Poole. “There’s no sense in isolating him in this situation. It’s all about collectively what can we all do to be better?”
"We all have to play better. … There's no sense in isolating him in this situation."
Steph Curry in response to a question about Jordan Poole's struggles.pic.twitter.com/6geN3qLCix
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 9, 2023
Curry acknowledged that the team is in a tough spot, trailing the Lakers 3-1 in the Western Conference Semifinals, but stressed that the conversations the team is having are consistent with what they’ve been doing all season long. He emphasized the need for the team to make adjustments and play better in order to get back in the series.
Poole was a key contributor to the Warriors’ championship run last season but has struggled to replicate that success this year. Despite his struggles, Curry knows that the team won’t be able to turn things around unless everyone, including Poole, steps up.
“He’s a part of that, we’re all a part of that,” Curry said. “And if we’re going to get out of this hole, we all have to play better.”
Curry’s support for Poole is a reflection of the team’s commitment to each other and their shared goal of winning. While Poole’s struggles have been difficult for the team, they are not giving up on him or their season.
Instead, they are focused on finding ways to improve and come together as a team. With Game 5 looming, the Warriors will need everyone to step up and play their best if they hope to keep their season alive.
Golden State Warriors playoff hopes dim as Jordan Poole struggles in Game 4 loss to Lakers
The Golden State Warriors find themselves in a precarious 3-1 hole after a devastating 104-101 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 of the NBA Playoffs. Although Stephen Curry put on a show with a triple-double of 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 14 assists, it was Jordan Poole’s poor performance that left fans and teammates disappointed.
Poole was a nonfactor in the game, shooting 0-of-4 from the field and failing to score in just 10 minutes of play. The frustration of the young guard was palpable, as reported by NBC Sports’ Kerith Burke. Poole was initially reluctant to talk to the media after the game but eventually spoke with short answers seemingly out of frustration.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GB6soPmP0vM
Last season, Poole was a significant contributor off the bench during the Warriors championship run, but he has struggled this season, shooting just 35.5 percent from the field and 28.8 percent from beyond the arc in 10 postseason games.
The Warriors had a chance to tie the series and potentially shift momentum in their favor, but Poole’s struggles, combined with Lonnie Walker IV’s explosive performance for the Lakers, contributed to their downfall. With their playoff hopes on the line, the Warriors will need Poole and the rest of the team to step up and deliver in Game 5.
