Steph enjoying ‘rekindling old flames’ with KD on Team USA originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area
Steph Curry is absorbing every bit of his first Olympic experience, especially the opportunity to reunite with former Warriors teammate Kevin Durant.
After Team USA win 110-87 over Serbia on Sunday, Curry explained to Ron Kroichick of the San Francisco Chronicle how much he’s enjoying sharing the court again with Durant six years after the pair led Golden State to back-to-back NBA championships.
“That’s the beauty of this experience – rekindling some old flames with KD, playing with guys I’ve never played with before,” Curry told Kroichick. “I’m having so much fun and enjoying every minute of it.”
Durant was sensational in the Americans’ victory over Serbia, scoring a game-high 23 points and being nearly perfect from the floor, hitting 8 of 9 shots from the field and 5 of 5 on 3-point attempts.
It was the first time this month that Durant spoke for Team USA after missing the pre-Olympic calendar due to a calf injury, but the chemistry between the two-time NBA Finals MVP and Curry didn’t take long to reignite it.
After Curry hit his exclusive celebration without looking following a 3-pointer in the final seconds of the game, Durant could be seen on the sideline cheering emphatically for his former running mate.
Durant and Curry’s enthusiasm to be teammates once again should come as no surprise considering the duo absolutely dominated the NBA scene during their three seasons together in the Bay, posting a 131-37 record in games in which they both the players started for the Warriors.
That included back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018, with Golden State falling just behind Durant. ruptured Achilles tendon in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals.
The marriage between Durant and Curry – winners of the three previous NBA MVP awards before 7 feet joined the Warriors in July 2016 – took Golden State to unprecedented heights. Not only did the Warriors steal the NBA’s spotlight, they were also the center of the sports universe during a dominant run as one of the most talented teams ever assembled.
Now, five years after Durant’s tumultuous departure, he and Curry once again have a chance to shine together on the brightest stage. This time, for Olympic gold and the immortality that comes with the highest possible international honor in basketball.
