SAN FRANCISCO — Stephen Curry and Jordan Poole have challenged each other since the Golden State Warriors drafted Poole 28th overall in 2019. They would see who could make more shots in a row in practice and go at it in scrimmages, friendly competition that helped bring out the best in each other.

Jordan Poole has plopped down on the floor of an animal shelter. He’s sitting crisscross applesauce and playing with kittens. He takes one of those colorful cat charmers from Cindy the volunteer and twirls it in front of Cheeto the dancing cat. Dander sticks out on his all-black attire, and Poole doesn’t care.