OKLAHOMA CITY • With their collective backs against the wall, the Golden State Warriors remain defiant and have warned the surging Oklahoma City Thunder that they are not going to cave in meekly.
Down 1-3 in their National Basketball Association Western Conference finals, the Warriors need to win three straight games against the Thunder to fend off elimination, and an anti-climactic end to their record-setting regular season.
Two straight thrashings by the Thunder have cast huge doubts on the defending champions, but Stephen Curry has insisted that the series is not over.
He said on Wednesday: "We've got to believe in ourselves. There's obviously frustration. It's a terrible feeling once again not stepping up and being ourselves and playing our game. But we're a special team. This isn't how we're going to go out."
His views were echoed by his team-mate Draymond Green, who said: "This is all or nothing. We've put in too much work to go out like this."
Curry blamed himself for not "controlling the situation" as the Thunder made their surge in Game 4, reported ESPN.
"I'll be better and understand the moment in those situations where the momentum can swing either way. A lot of that falls on my shoulders and playing better," he said, dismissing suggestions that injuries were affecting his performances.
Curry has played in six games since returning from an ankle injury and has struggled in his last two, making only a combined 13 of 37 shots.
Website Yahoo Sports, citing an unnamed source, reported on Wednesday that he is no more than 70 per cent fit, but Warriors coach Steve Kerr said: "Nobody has said anything about Steph being 70 per cent to me.
"I know he's not injured. If he was injured, he would not be playing."
REUTERS
GOLDEN STATE V OKLAHOMA CITY
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