Steve Nash revealed how Stephen Curry became a defining moment in his career
In a recent episode of the Mind The Game podcast, Steve Nash opened up about an unforgettable moment that ultimately led him to retire from the NBA. The conversation featured LeBron James and Stephen Curry as guests and brought out a personal reflection from the former Canadian point guard.
A preseason matchup that changed everything
Nash recalled a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors, where he was assigned to guard the emerging star Stephen Curry. That experience made him realize that his physical condition was no longer the same, prompting deep introspection about his 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?’”
During the discussion, Curry laughed as he remembered that night in Ontario, California. Nash recounted how difficult it was to keep up with the young guard, who was beginning to display the skill set that would make him one of the league’s greatest shooters.
“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.”
Reflection and acceptance
Nash admitted that the game served as a moment of truth, showing him that his body could no longer endure the physical demands of professional basketball. This realization paved the way for his eventual decision to step away from the sport he loved.
Author’s summary: Steve Nash shared that guarding Stephen Curry in a preseason game revealed his physical limits and became the turning point that led to his NBA retirement.