Steve Nash Reveals Defining Moment in His Career Involving Stephen Curry
In a recent episode of the Mind The Game podcast, Steve Nash shared a personal and surprising story about an encounter with Stephen Curry that, according to Nash, contributed to his decision to retire from the NBA.
The former Canadian point guard recounted a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors where he was assigned to guard the young rising star from San Francisco. It was during that game Nash realized he was no longer the player he once was physically.
Reflection During the Preseason Game
Speaking alongside LeBron James and Stephen Curry, Nash described how that experience forced him to consider his physical state and future in basketball:
“My nerves were shot, and I just couldn’t recover. I thought, ‘I have to figure this out.’ It had been a week since my last game. We were going to play them in the preseason, and I kept thinking, ‘I have to play through the injury. And if not, what’s the point?’”
Curry’s Memory of the Game
Curry laughed and recalled that night in Ontario, California, reflecting on Nash’s challenge in trying to defend him as he was already demonstrating exceptional talent.
Nash continued:
“We got on the court, and I was guarding Steph. I think they scored like 50 points in the first quarter — maybe 45, but it felt like 50. My back was shot, my body was done.”
Summary
This moment highlighted Nash’s struggle with his physical limits and influenced his eventual retirement decision.
Author’s summary: Steve Nash’s preseason matchup against Stephen Curry exposed his physical decline, marking a pivotal point leading to his NBA retirement.