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Stephen Curry looked like a rock star in gym shorts.
On Wednesday night, as fans clamored for his autograph, the weight of the crowd caused a railing at Vivint SmartHome Arena to give way, resulting in minor injuries to three fans.
The Golden State Warrior guard's pre-game warmup routine has become something of basketball lore as the dead-eye Curry shoots his way into NBA history.
"It's humbling just to know the same workout I've been doing for four or five years is now kind of a treat for people," Curry told reporters. "It's just a way for me to get ready for the game. The shots I need to take to get a rhythm and get my confidence. That kind of support is definitely appreciated."
So with about 75 minutes left until tipoff, the lower bowl at Vivint Arena was filled with thousands of fans — smartphones aimed and ready — as Curry went through his warmup. He fired up left-handed shots, pulled-up from the corner and drained back-to-back bombs from the center logo.
After dazzling hundreds of fans who arrived early to watch him Wednesday night in Salt Lake City, Curry tried to make his return to the locker room when a swarm of people surged toward a corner of the arena for his autograph. In the rush, the railing gave way, causing at least one fan to fall a short way to Curry's feet.
One adult and three children were evaluated. Three required medical treatment for minor injuries, a Jazz official said. Those three were treated and released with plenty of time to return to their seats before tipoff.
Curry, meanwhile, provided the three injured people with one signed item apiece: a jersey, a basketball and a shoe.
Cleaning up turnovers
The Utah Jazz's defense has been trending the right direction these days. And Jazz coach Quin Snyder thinks it might be even more dominant if his players could clean up the thing that has plagued them all season long.
"The biggest thing for us is not turning the ball over and actually getting a chance to defend," Snyder said. "Pretty consistently, when we turn it over, we're going to have tough nights."
The Jazz ranked 26th in the league in turnovers ratio in January, 25th in February and 30th — last in the NBA — in March when they coughed the ball up 16.7 times per 100 possessions.
Taking care of the ball was a especially important for Snyder as his team hosted the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night.
How do you slow down Curry and company?
"That's the million-dollar question," Jazz point guard Sheldon Mack said. "I think everyone's trying to figure that out."
Curry and the Warriors came into Salt Lake boasting the league's top-ranked offense. The Jazz wanted to be especially cognizant of ball security against a squad that averages a league-leading 18 fast-break points a night.
"If you make those guys play defense for longer periods of time, it keeps the ball out of their hands," Mack said.
"[A turnover] is an automatic point for them," shooting guard Rodney Hood said.
Game time
Fans can watch Monday's NCAA championship game on the 42-foot-wide screens at Vivint Arena, which will be open to the public for a viewing party and an open house for potential season ticket buyers. The viewing party begins at 5 p.m.
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