Stephen Curry Says Warriors Haven't Lost Hope After Nuggets Loss: 'We're Not There'

Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry maintained a positive perspective following Thursday night's heartbreaking 130-127 home loss to the Denver Nuggets.

Speaking to reporters after the game (beginning at the 2:28 mark), Curry suggested that the Warriors aren't pressing the panic button even though they are 11th in the Western Conference with a 16-18 record.

"It helps because it keeps you motivated that we are a good team," he said. "When you lose hope, like we're not there. When you lose hope in yourself as a team, that's when the conversation changes. We're not there.

"It's frustrating because you do lose a what-if game, we could be 21-13 and a different vibe around the team. But even with the record we are now, we know we can compete. Just a situation where you're out there with a look of despair on your face because you're trying to figure out how it happened. We have to find that balance right now for us to give ourselves a chance."

Golden State entered the fourth quarter of Thursday's contest with a 13-point lead, but it allowed Denver to storm back, and two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić won it for the Nuggets with a prayer from nearly half-court that banked off the backboard and in at the buzzer.

With Thursday's loss, the Warriors wasted a 30-point effort from Curry, as well as one of the best games of the season by the struggling Klay Thompson, who finished with 24 points on 9-of-18 shooting from the field.

Golden State had no answers for Jokic, who dominated to the tune of a game-high 34 points on 13-of-16 shooting to go along with 10 rebounds. Aaron Gordon scored 30 points for Denver also.

The Warriors have been the NBA's preeminent team for the past decade, winning four championships in an eight-season span, but they have faced plenty of trials and tribulations over the past five campaigns.

Golden State missed the playoffs in both 2020 and 2021 after being ravaged by injuries, however, it bounced back to win a championship in 2022 on the backs of a healthy Curry, Thompson, Draymond Green and others.

The Dubs dropped back down to 44-38 last season and were ousted in the second round of the playoffs by LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.

There is still a lot of basketball left to be played this season, but if the campaign were to end today, the Warriors would not only be outside the playoffs, but they would also be outside the play-in tournament.

Following a five-game winning streak, the Warriors have dropped four of their past five games, but they have been putting forth some strong efforts against top teams.

During their recent skid, the Warriors suffered two close losses to the Nuggets, who are the reigning NBA champions and the current No. 3 seed in the Western Conference at 25-11. They also beat an Orlando Magic team that has surprised with a 19-15 record.

Green is trending toward a return soon amid his indefinite suspension, which should give Golden State a boost in terms of leadership, defense and playmaking.

Due to their championship experience, the Warriors are bound to be a threat if they make it into the playoffs, but that means they have to start finishing games in the regular season and moving up the standings.