Image Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

“I’m Guarding Steph…He’s Running Everywhere” – Steve Nash Recalls How Stephen Curry Matchup Sealed His Retirement Choice

Image Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Part one of the Mind the Game interview with Stephen Curry was released Tuesday, and co-host Steve Nash admitted that guarding Curry in a 2014 preseason matchup played a role in his decision to retire sooner than expected.

Nash had already announced that the 2014-15 season would be his last. At 39 years old and dealing with a back injury, he wanted to test whether he could still compete at a high level. That test came against Stephen Curry.

“I gotta find out can I play hurt, or what’s the point?” Nash recalled. A blistering 39-13 first quarter from Golden State left him questioning whether he wanted to continue.

“I’m guarding Steph,” Steve Nash said. “He’s running everywhere. I’m like, back is broke. I couldn’t stop him if I was 100 percent. I’m like dragging around. Stevie Kerr is putting me in every action. I’m looking over at Steve like, ‘C’mon, Stevie.’ They are laughing at me. Three or four more days of thinking about it, I’m like, ‘Yeah, I think it’s time.’”

"You put me out!" 🤣

Steve Nash faced Steph Curry in the preseason and knew it was time to hang it up 😭 Watch @mindthegamepod on @PrimeVideo, YouTube and listen everywhere podcasts are available 🍿 pic.twitter.com/ixF9PDDVxm
— NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) November 4, 2025

The podcast, hosted by LeBron James alongside Steve Nash, focuses on basketball itself rather than the narratives that dominate mainstream coverage. Steph Curry’s appearance provided insight into his preparation, his approach to game days, and the Warriors’ offensive system.

It also gave him and LeBron James a chance to reflect on their decade-long rivalry and their eventual partnership during the 2024 Olympics, where Curry earned his first gold medal and James collected his third.

Stephen Curry takes accountability as Warriors stumble in early-season stretch

Meanwhile, the Warriors’ current season hit a setback with a 114-109 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Saturday, their second straight defeat after a 4–1 start. Head coach Steve Kerr criticized the team’s “lack of focus,” while Curry accepted responsibility.

“This is one of those games where you just look in the mirror,” Curry said. “There were parts of the game where I made it too hard on all of us, not getting organized, bad possessions, a little lack of energy. You give a team like that life … it’s just one of those games where you’ve got to play better throughout the meat of the game.”

Before Stephen Curry’s rise, Steve Nash was regarded as one of the league’s premier point guards. Over his career, he scored more than 17,000 points and tallied over 10,000 assists. Known for his efficiency, he shot 40 percent from the field, 42.9 percent from three-point range, and 90.4 percent at the free throw line.

A two-time MVP in 2005 and 2006, Nash became one of the oldest players to win the award at age 30. Though he played for multiple teams, his greatest impact came with the Phoenix Suns. In total, Steve Nash spent 18 seasons in the NBA before retiring.