The Golden State Warriors are famous for filling road-game venues with huge numbers of their fans. But as Warriors fans settle into their seats in Houston’s Toyota Center for game three tonight (April 21), they may or may not have a chance to scream for hero-icon-superlative guard Steph Curry. Although their team carries a 2–0 advantage in the first-round series, it’s a fragile ankle that carries their hopes.
Even after the Warriors gave the Rockets a 104–78 drubbing to open the series and followed that with a 115–106 victory (both at Oracle Arena) without Curry in game 2, Warriors fans may be clenching their teeth and biting their nails with each passing day that he is listed as “questionable” on injury reports. The worry comes with the territory of being a devotee of the usually tormented franchise. 
Before the first game of last season’s playoffs, many Warrior fans had feelings of trepidation. For the first time in their modern history, Golden State was the top seed in the Western Conference with an NBA-best 67–15 record. No longer the underdog, Warriors fans found themselves in unfamiliar territory. 
Although the Warriors enter this season as the odds-on favorite to take the championship, fan Mike Zamora says he is more concerned this time around and other fans echo that sentiment. 
Dorian Delacruz is also a lifelong fan that was at every game during last year’s playoffs. When asked if he is more nervous this season Delacruz says, “Very much so because if we don’t do it, that’s what they’ll be remembered for. There will be an asterisk next to that 73 (wins). Critics will be like ‘Oh they got 73, but they didn’t get the championship’ and that’s the worst.”
Tom Grajeda is on the other end of the spectrum. When asked about his outlook this year compared to last he says, “I’m much more optimistic this year, but it’s a new season now. Anything can happen and I think if they stay focused and play the game they can play, it should not be a problem.”
As the playoffs roll along, expect that newfound confidence to be tested, especially if the Warriors have to face the San Antonio Spurs in their quest for a second consecutive NBA championship.

Brandon Romo is a staff writer at the Tower. E-mail him bgromo(at)gmail.com.