With the playoffs approaching, former Golden State Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins has named one player he would rather avoid—it’s none other than Steph Curry.
Cousins has issued a stark warning to NBA teams regarding the formidable threat posed by Curry in the playoffs. Probably drawing from the firsthand experience of playing alongside Curry, Cousins emphasized the massive challenge posed by the four-time NBA champion.
DeMarcus Cousins Warns Against Facing Steph Curry In Playoffs
Speaking on the “Run It Back” on FanDuel TV, the outspoken NBA analyst and four-time All-Star shared his thoughts on the prospect of encountering Curry early in the postseason. He revealed he would wish to avoid it at all costs, even if it means losing a few games.
“I’m scared. If I’m the one or two seed, I’m low-key ducking. Let’s lose a couple of games and see if we can get another team in that first round. Any team with Steph Curry in the first round, I’m scared.”
“I'm scared. If I'm the one or two seed, I’m low-key ducking. Any team with Steph Curry in the first round, I’m scared.”
DeMarcus Cousins thinks the top teams should be avoiding the Warriors in the first round at all costs 👀
(via @RunItBackFDTV)
pic.twitter.com/LMhlcoH5DQ— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 24, 2025
This candid admission underscores Curry’s dominance in the playoffs and the high regard that he commands among his peers. Curry’s reputation as a lethal shooter in high-stakes contests further lends credibility to Cousins’ claims. Over his playoff career, he has averaged 27.0 points, 6.2 assists, and 5.3 rebounds across 147 games.
Perhaps most notably during the 2019 Western Conference Finals, the former unanimous MVP selection finished with 36.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game. Curry has also been in exceptional form this February, coming out as a lead scorer in seven of the Warriors’ last eight games. In their last game against the Dallas Mavericks on Feb. 24, he lit up the scoreboard with 30 points to steer his team to a 126-102 victory.
Warriors’ Current Playoffs Outlook
The Warriors are currently pushing hard for the playoffs. They occupy the ninth spot in the Western Conference with a 32-27 record.
In addition to Curry already being a major force, the Warriors have also acquired six-time All-Star forward Jimmy Butler in exchange for Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, and a protected first-round pick. Butler seems to have seamlessly integrated with Golden State and is currently averaging 20.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in six games.
Moreover, Butler is posting double-digit numbers in the last five games he has played with the Warriors, contributing to their 5-1 record and a strong push toward the postseason. If Curry and Butler continue their current momentum, Cousins’ warning may prove to be true.
