![\"Stephen](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_6780-e1776546152325.jpeg\")
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Stephen Curry reacts during the Golden State Warriors\u2019 play-in loss that ended their season.<\/p>\n
The Golden State Warriors<\/a> saw their season come to a sudden end in the NBA play-in tournament, but Stephen Curry<\/a> made sure one moment stood out beyond the loss \u2014 a message to rising star Jalen Green<\/a> after the final buzzer.<\/p>\n Green powered the Phoenix Suns<\/a> to a 111-96 win with a dominant 36-point performance, knocking out Golden State and advancing Phoenix to a first-round series against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder<\/a>.<\/p>\n Afterward, Curry sought out Green and delivered a message that reflected both respect and a long-standing connection.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, he was just telling me go handle business in OKC,\u201d Green said<\/a>. \u201cComing from Steph, it means a lot\u2026 just to hear him say, \u2018Go kill and handle business.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Steph Curry\u2019s Message to Jalen Green Stands Out After Loss<\/p>\n In a season-ending defeat, Curry\u2019s postgame interaction underscored his reputation as both a competitor and mentor. Despite the disappointment, the four-time NBA<\/a> champion took time to acknowledge Green\u2019s performance and encourage him moving forward.<\/p>\n For Green, the words carried extra weight.<\/p>\n \u201cJust to chop it up with him and hear from him at the end of the day,\u201d Green said. \u201cIt means a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n The exchange highlighted a relationship that stretches back years \u2014 one that has helped shape Green\u2019s development into one of the league\u2019s emerging scorers.<\/p>\n Warriors Fall Short Despite Late Push<\/p>\n Golden State\u2019s loss marked a frustrating finish after showing flashes of resilience during the game. The Warriors trimmed a double-digit deficit to just two points late in the second quarter, briefly threatening to shift momentum.<\/p>\n But Phoenix responded, and Golden State could not recover.<\/p>\n Curry finished with 17 points on 4-for-16 shooting, including 3-for-10 from beyond the arc, and was held scoreless in the third quarter as the Suns pulled away.<\/p>\n Brandin Podziemski<\/a> led the Warriors with 23 points and 10 rebounds, providing a bright spot in an otherwise difficult night.<\/p>\n The defeat also comes at a pivotal time for head coach Steve Kerr, who is entering the final year of his contract as questions about the team\u2019s direction begin to surface.<\/p>\n Full-Circle Moment Between Curry and Green<\/p>\n While the loss ends Golden State\u2019s playoff hopes, Curry\u2019s interaction with Green offered a glimpse into the league\u2019s evolving landscape.<\/p>\n Green, a California native born in Merced and raised in Fresno, grew up watching Curry\u2019s rise with the Warriors. As a teenager, he trained with Curry in Oakland \u2014 a relationship that evolved into mentorship over the years.<\/p>\n \u201cSo he\u2019s kind of been somewhat of a mentor,\u201d Green said. \u201cPlaying against him is always great\u2026 one of the greatest players of all time.\u201d<\/p>\n That history made Friday\u2019s outcome especially meaningful, as Green not only eliminated the Warriors but also received encouragement from the player he once looked up to.<\/p>\n What\u2019s Next for the Warriors After Play-In Exit<\/p>\n Golden State now enters an offseason filled with uncertainty after missing the playoffs. With Curry still performing at a high level but the roster facing questions, the franchise must evaluate its next steps.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Green and the Suns move on to face reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/a> and the Thunder in the first round.<\/p>\n For Curry, the focus shifts to what comes next. But even in defeat, his message to Green showed that his impact extends beyond wins and losses \u2014 shaping the next generation as the Warriors\u2019 season comes to a close.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tAlder Almo<\/a> is a veteran NBA reporter for Heavy.com, covering the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors. He brings over 20 years of experience across local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Originally from the Philippines, he is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Warriors\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tLoading more stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t