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The Golden State Warriors' recent success has been derailed by the injury to Stephen Curry, who suffered a torn oblique early in the team's matchup with the Houston Rockets. The Warriors had won eight consecutive games before the injury but have since lost two straight, including a lopsided 123-85 defeat to the San Antonio Spurs in which no Golden State starter scored in double figures.
In response to the team's diminished on-court product, ESPN has decided to pull the Warriors' game against the Dallas Mavericks from its prime-time slot. The matchup, originally scheduled to be broadcast nationally, will no longer air on ESPN, and the game time has been moved to 7 p.m. CT. ESPN will instead air the Boston Celtics vs. Denver Nuggets game. The change was first reported by Mavericks beat writer Mike Curtis.
The decision comes as the Warriors, currently 8th in the Western Conference, face a stretch without their superstar. The Mavericks sit at 10th, and the game between the two teams was initially seen as a compelling matchup. However, without Curry, the contest has lost its national appeal, prompting ESPN to pivot to a more competitive offering.
Fan Reactions
Fans on social media were quick to react to the schedule change, with many pointing to the Warriors' reliance on Curry for relevance. One user on X wrote, "They saw the Warriors get beat by 70 and were like nah we good." Another added, "Warriors franchise will be in the mud when Curry retires." A third commented, "This is the Warriors future without Steph in case anyone is wondering." Some also criticized ESPN for missing an opportunity to showcase Mavericks star Cooper Flagg, with one fan noting, "No Steph but Cooper Flagg is more than enough to put on National tv."
Key Analysis
The flexing of the Warriors-Mavericks game underscores the harsh reality of the NBA's national television landscape: star power drives viewership. With Curry sidelined, the Warriors' appeal has taken a hit, and ESPN's decision reflects that. For Golden State, the coming weeks without Curry present both a challenge and an opportunity. While the national spotlight may be dimmed, the team can use the time to regroup and prove it can compete without its leader. A strong showing in Curry's absence could send a statement, but the odds are stacked against them in a loaded Western Conference.
Originally reported by yahoo.