The Golden State Warriors defended their home court against the Denver Nuggets in their opponent’s season opener, but not every post-game conversation revolved around basketball. In the aftermath of one of the most surprising days, as federal investigations swirl around a scandal involving both players and coaches, Stephen Curry was asked about the cloud hanging over the sport.

In front of reporters, Curry made his stance clear. “I think on a whole everybody’s very mindful of what to do, what not to do,” Curry said after the game. “And understanding the landscape of sports right now in general — that’s not just an NBA thing. This is new territory for everybody. So I think on the whole we all are very responsible.”

It’s a composed answer in a moment where the NBA seems to be mired in chaos. Curry’s tone reflects the perspective of a veteran who knows that the sacredness of the game is under a national microscope: “The integrity of the game is fine. And then obviously we’ll let the situation play out, whatever happens, but I wouldn’t worry about that too much.”

The 37-year-old didn’t shy away from the questions about the scandal, instead reframing them to remind everyone that players, teams, and even fans are navigating an unfamiliar situation: one where mistakes can have seismic consequences. His words landed like a steady hand on the league’s shoulder. On a day filled with headlines about arrests and federal indictments, Curry has positioned himself as a voice of calm.

For many around the league, this matters. The scandal involves Miami Heat player Terry Rozier, Portland Trailblazers coach Chauncey Billups, and former player Damon Jones, and is the most high-profile case of gambling related to NBA product since the Tim Donaghy referee case. This, on top of the Jontay Porter scandal last year, has led to debate about the same industry which helps fund the league’s broadcasts.

Stephen Curry Balances Leadership Amid Chaos

Even apart from off-court controversy, Curry was sharp tonight. Golden State pulled off pulled off a 137-131 win in overtime against the reloaded Denver Nuggets in a matchup that had fans at the edge of their seats. The teams traded leads throughout regulation, and the pace was relentless. The intensity of the matchup reflected the high-stakes nature of an early season showdown, and the Warriors’ resilience and shot-making in the final minutes of regulation to push the contest into overtime.

Curry led the charge for the Warriors, scoring 42 points and hitting the game-tying three-pointer in the final seconds of the fourth to force overtime. For the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic stunned with a 21-point, 13-rebound, 10- overtime triple double, but the real spotlight was on Aaron Gordon, who recorded 50 points on 10 three-pointers, breaking the record for themost points in a season opener for the Nuggets, previously 47 by Alex English. The overtime period saw the Warriors execute a match-sealing 12-2 run, coming back from being down in regulation and showing off the team’s depth and clutch ability.

Looking forward, the Warriors are set to match up against the Portland Trailblazers in the Moda Center, setting up a matchup of veteran knowledge against youth upside. It’s a key matchup against a feisty, talented Western Conference rival, and how Golden State builds on their early wins against the Lakers and the Nuggets will be key to how they execute this regular season.