Stephen Curry and Kawhi Leonard ( Image Source: Getty Images )

Many NBA fans are looking forward to seeing their favorite players compete for their nations in the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024. However, one notable absence this year will be Kawhi Leonard. Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry recently addressed Leonard’s surprising decision not to participate in the next Olympics with Team USA.

Leonard didn’t play in the playoffs or at the end of the regular NBA season because of his knee injury. On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Clippers and Team USA jointly decided to pull Kawhi out of the Olympics roster because of this knee issue.

Steph Curry on Kawhi Leonard withdrawing from Team USA before the Olympics: “I know he wanted to play… Hopefully, for the long term, he’s in a good place because the game needs him. When he’s not out there, you miss an all-time great player. We hope he’s ready for this season.” pic.twitter.com/0M3S5UfLtD

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 11, 2024

While at the Olympics training camp as a member of Team USA, it was expected that some of his teammates would comment on the situation, and that’s what Curry did. He told the two-time DPO that he should prioritize his health and career first.

It was Curry who told the reporters, “I know he wanted to play… Hopefully, for the long term, he’s in a good place because the game needs him. When he’s not out there, you miss an all-time great player. We hope he’s ready for this season.”

Team USA didn’t miss a beat even though Kawhi Leonard was absent. Stephen Curry really came through for his team and led them to an easy win over Canada in the first game of USA Showdown.

Stephen Curry Leads the Charge as Team USA Dominates Canada

The Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry got Team USA off to a good start in the exhibition game by leading them to an 86–72 win over Canada. In just twenty minutes of play, he demonstrated his scoring prowess by scoring 12 points.

The US team played very well overall. Their defense stopped Canada’s offense, and players like Jayson Tatum and Damian Lillard made big plays that sealed the win. Curry seemed upbeat and at ease before the game in front of the home fans.

“I was trying to get back up but I got stuck, so I went with the pose and give myself a second to have fun. “ Curry stated later in the tunnels of T-Mobile Arena, where a record crowd of 20,756 people watched the game. He added, “You know I like to have fun and enjoy myself. It didn’t take long for me to find an opportunity tonight.”