For the Giants, a Rapid Ascent, a Hard Fall and Hopes of a Rematch

San Francisco had a 109-win season dissolve at the hands of a bitter rival, but they still view their future as bright. “This won’t be the last time we play them in the playoffs.”

SAN FRANCISCO — The three-time champion wound his way through the tunnel outside the San Francisco Giants’ clubhouse after the most intense nine innings of this baseball season.

“Sorry,” Stephen Curry said, bumping fists with the Giants’ chief executive, Larry Baer.

“Hey, thanks, man,” Baer replied. “It was a gut-punch.”