“So Scared They Stopped Playing Basketball”: Steph Curry Mocks Hornets’ Extreme Defense in Warriors Blowout
Stephen Curry walked onto the floor Saturday night knowing exactly what was coming. It wasn’t a hostile crowd or trash talk from the bench—it was something far more exhausting. From the opening tip, the Charlotte Hornets made it clear that Curry would not be allowed even a moment of freedom. Every cut, every jog up the floor, even stoppages in play were met with a defender glued to his hip. Sometimes two. Occasionally three.
It was defense taken to an extreme.
The Golden State Warriors still cruised to a 136–116 victory, but the familiar “Curry flurry” never materialized. Not because Steph lacked rhythm or confidence—but because Charlotte refused to let him breathe. Guards Collin Sexton and rookie Sion James treated Curry like the ball itself, shadowing him relentlessly, even when the action paused. It was less about traditional defensive principles and more about total denial.
Curry, of course, is no stranger to this treatment. As the greatest shooter the game has ever seen, he’s spent years forcing teams into uncomfortable defensive choices. Leave him open, and the game can be over in minutes. Guard him normally, and you risk a historic shooting night. Charlotte chose the nuclear option.
After the game, Curry summed it up with a mix of humor and honesty. “There’s a part of you that fights it just because it’s not real basketball,” he said. “But there’s also a part of it that’s flattering.” The comment captured the dual reality of his superstardom: respect taken to the edge of absurdity.
Curry finished with just 14 points, shooting 6-of-11 from the field and 2-of-7 from beyond the arc. By his standards, it was a quiet night. But his presence still dictated everything. The Hornets’ obsession with Curry opened the floor for everyone else in a Warriors jersey—and Golden State took full advantage.
De’Anthony Melton was electric off the bench, pouring in 24 points in just 21 minutes. Draymond Green chipped in with an efficient 20, attacking space created by defenders who refused to leave Curry under any circumstance. The Warriors didn’t just survive the defensive gimmick—they punished it.
Still, Curry couldn’t help but laugh at how far things went. “It’s also funny at times just how egregious it is,” he added. While other stars around the league occasionally find room to operate, Curry continues to face a brand of defense that borders on obsession.
On nights like these, Steph may not light up the scoreboard—but his gravity remains unmatched. Even when he’s quiet, the game still revolves around him. And that, more than any stat line, explains why teams keep chasing him everywhere he goes.
