Jordan Poole made Steph Curry so mad he got himself ejected. All was forgiven when Poole hit the game-winner.
One minute after Curry got tossed for throwing his mouthpiece into the crowd, Poole cut past the Grizzlies’ Ziaire Williams for a game-winning layup with 2.1 seconds to go.
The Warriors triumphed over the rival Grizzlies, 122-120, in a highly-charged game between two teams that dislike each other. But in a key moment, it looked Curry seriously disliked Poole.
With 1:23 left, Klay Thompson missed a jumper. Donte DiVincenzo grabbed the rebound and passed to Poole, who took a 30-footer with 12 seconds left on the shot clock – and the NBA’s all-time three-point leader clapping for the ball. When Poole’s shot missed, Curry tossed his mouthpiece, an automatic ejection.
Crew chief Sean Wright explained, “Stephen Curry takes his mouthpiece and throws into the stands with force, as per rule, that is an automatic ejection.”
After the game, Curry told reporters the mouthpiece didn’t actually go into the crowd, but the officials were reacting to how hard he threw it. Look, that thing has been in his mouth all game. It’s disgusting to throw it anywhere, Steph!
Also, it’s not the first time he’s been ejected for throwing his mouthpiece in a big moment. Like Game Six of the NBA Finals.
Coach Steve Kerr seemed to sympathize with Curry’s frustration, when asked about Poole firing a long shot with so much time left.
“With Steph Curry open next to him?” Kerr asked with a smile, before adding, “We won. Let’s focus on the positive.”
Poole made light of the incident after the game. When he saw Curry standing in the tunnel, he threw his own mouthpiece.
It’s been an up and down season for Poole, who signed a long-term extension days after Draymond Green punched him in a preseason practice. But everything looks much rosier after a victory, even if Curry thought Poole’s postgame antics were “too soon.”
Next time, Poole should throw the ball to Curry in crunch time, and they can both keep their mouthpieces in their mouths.
