‘For one night, we’re us:’ Warriors were champions again — and it was beautiful to witness

Steve Kerr beamed as he sat on the podium.

“For one night, we’re us,” he said. “We’re champions again.”

Kerr knew how ridiculous that statement sounded.

The 10th-seeded Golden State Warriors had just beaten the ninth-seeded LA Clippers in a play-in game, 126–121. It was a far cry from the mountaintops the team had scaled for nearly a decade as the league’s modern day dynasty, winning four championships in eight years.

But this accomplishment felt nearly as monumental.

The Warriors were a shell of themselves this season. They lost Jimmy Butler to an ACL tear in January. Draymond Green’s name was involved in trade rumors in February. And Steph Curry missed 27 straight games because of runner’s knee before returning in April.

They were losing. They were aging. It was hard not to wonder if this was the end of an era for one of the greatest teams in NBA history. If this was the final curtain call.

But on Wednesday, in a do-or-die play-in game, Curry and Green reawakened something deep inside them that had been dormant for too long. It was hunger. It was muscle memory. It was championship DNA.

For a night, Curry was the greatest showman on earth. Green was the league’s best defender. And Kerr was the conductor of one of the world’s most beautiful symphonies. Together, they were a reminder of the synergy that is created from 12 years of battles together.

It was beautiful to watch. It was nostalgic. It was a dose of what we’ve been missing.

The Warriors were the Warriors again.

Curry, who struggled in the first half with eight points, finished with 35 points on 7-for-12 shooting from behind the 3-point line. He showed why he’s the greatest shooter of all-time. He always believes his next shot is going in. He made jaws drop again Wednesday.

With 50.4 seconds left and the score tied at 117–117, Curry made a stepback 29-foot 3-pointer. He oozed joy, falling into a courtside fan’s lap and then giving him a high-five. He screamed with excitement.

“Everybody out there who thought Steph should’ve taken the rest of the year off…” Kerr said, before cutting himself off and knocking on the table four times for emphasis, “This is what he does. This is who he is. If he can compete, he’s going to compete. And it was just incredible to watch.”

As for Green?

He put on a defensive clinic, holding Kawhi Leonard to two points on 1-for-2 shooting in the fourth quarter. He prevented Leonard from getting the ball. He took away his view of the basket. He made his life hell.

Said Leonard: “Draymond, Hall of Fame defender, yeah, it was hard to even get shots up.”

Added Kerr: “He’s the best defender I’ve ever seen in my life.”

The Warriors stormed back from a 13-point fourth quarter deficit. They inspired multiple rounds of loud “Warriors” chants from the crowd at Intuit Dome. They never stopped believing in each other. Or themselves.

It was thrilling. It was the type of show only they can put on. It makes you hope they add a Giannis Antetokounmpo or a LeBron James to their roster this offseason so they can keep this going. Watching them play like this makes you fall in love with basketball again.

All season, it has felt as though the Warriors were on a precipice, being pushed closer and closer to the edge. Curry is 38. Green is 36. And Kerr’s future is up in the air with his contract expiring after this season.

But on Wednesday, they reminded everyone what they can do together. Scoring flurries. Defensive Master Classes. Brotherhood.

It made a play-in game much more meaningful than simply extending their lackluster season for at least another game.

“With all the wins we’ve ever had here, a lot of them with a lot more at stake, this was right up there just because of where we are, and our age, and the decline of our performance this year, the injuries,” Kerr said. “It was just a beautiful display of competitive will.”

In the context of everything they’ve been through, and everything they’re afraid to lose, this proved that the flame is still alive. It just needed some oxygen.

Curry should’ve shut down his season because of his balky knee? That would’ve been like caging a bird.

Green is a step slow on the defensive end? He bottled up a superstar on his home court in an elimination game.

Kerr needs to move on? He instills a belief in his players that’s infectious.

Together, they have a certain magic that’s intoxicating.

And if only for one night, we were all under their spell again.