In a recent episode of the Mind The Game podcast, Steve Nash shared a personal story involving himself and Stephen Curry — a moment that, as he admitted, played a pivotal role in his decision to retire from the NBA.
Nash recalled a preseason matchup against the Golden State Warriors, where he found himself defending the young and rapidly emerging star from San Francisco. That night, he realized his body could no longer perform at the level he demanded of himself.
“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 while recalling that game in Ontario, California. For Nash, however, it was a turning point, exposing the physical limitations that signaled the end of his playing days.
“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.”
That preseason game became a mirror moment for Nash — a blend of admiration for Curry’s brilliance and acceptance of his own chapter’s closure in the league.
Author’s Summary: Steve Nash’s recollection of facing a young Stephen Curry revealed the game that made him realize it was time to end his NBA journey.