cool breeze Blows out of an empty downtown Cleveland Cavaliers arena, and the Golden State Warriors sit on the brink of a title, just one win away. However, inside the quiet Quicken Loans Arena, something is nibbling on two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry.
Trying to shake off the game that just ended – Game 3 of the 2018 NBA Finals. The Warriors won 110-102, taking a 3-0 series lead over the Cavaliers, putting them one step closer to sweeping LeBron James and their second title in as many years. But in 39 minutes, Curry scored just 11 points on 3-of-16 shooting, including 1-of-10 from 3-point range. In all, Curry recorded more turnovers (two) than 3-pointers (one).
Such a performance is far from Curry’s best, or even average. Coming into the series, a central story emerged: Could Curry finally win his first Finals MVP award, arguably the only honor missing from his resume? Game 3 dud has never offered such support.
Back in the arena, at about 12:30 a.m., about an hour after the last bell, Curry approaches Johnny West, a member of the Warriors’ front office. In a corridor outside the Warriors’ locker room, Curry told West he wanted to get away the next morning, a few hours from now.
West Curry states that the team rehearsed the next day, around midday.
“I don’t care,” Carey told West.
As the conversation begins, Warriors general manager Bob Myers watches from nearby and approaches.
“What will he tell you?” asks Myers West.