In a recent shootout with the San Antonio Spurs, we were treated to one of those rare displays of talent. He dropped an eye-popping 46 points, carrying the Golden State Warriors to a gritty 125-120 win. This performance was Curry’s 73rd career 40-point game — an indicator that even in his advanced age, he’s still one of the best in the business.
The start of the game came after a rough stretch for Curry, who had just missed three games with an illness. He demonstrated his resilience and determination by returning to action against the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he recorded 11 points in just 20 minutes of play. His conditioning and mindset were notably improved, thanks in part to a lengthy film session with his teammates, where they discussed strategy and team identity.
Chief among those contributions were the moments—like this clip from the decisive third quarter against the Spurs—where Curry’s presence changed everything. He posted 22 of his 46 points in this quarter alone, reaching his 43rd career 20-point quarter. His creative scoring surge woke the team up and propelled the Warriors to the semifinal win, giving Golden State the momentum after a closely contested first half.
Late in the contest, Curry made a critical bucket over rookie prodigy Victor Wembanyama. This play secured his place as one of the league’s most elite players. Even after exiting the game late in the third quarter with an 81-80 lead, his impact was unquestionable.
Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr illustrated the need to not only find their mid-season stride but return to their roots as a team after recent woes.
“The important thing is to rediscover your identity.” – Steve Kerr
Curry’s performance not only underscored his individual skill but reflected the team’s collective experience. After facing adversity, he stated that they had enough familiarity with each other to address their challenges without taking them personally.
“We’ve been around the block long enough and have enough experience to know we can address stuff and not make it personal,” – Stephen Curry
This victory was hugely meaningful for Curry personally. It was the 43rd time he’s scored 40 since turning 30, putting him second only to Michael Jordan in this incredibly cool category.
It was impressive to hear the mature perspective of Curry, clearly recognizing the need for self-auditing after a bad loss string.
“When you lose, you gotta assess what’s going on,” – Stephen Curry
Looking forward as the Warriors continue down the path this season. Curry’s leadership, on and off the floor, as well as his performance will be paramount to their success. Curry is hell-bent on raising his team’s floor and getting the most out of a tough season. If he’s successful, they’ll do that three or four more times this season.
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