Stephen Curry scores a career-high 62
Stephen Curry scored a career-best 62 points in the Golden State Warriors’ 137-122 victory over the visiting Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday.
Curry knocked down 8 of 16 3-point shots and made 18 of 19, career-high totals in both categories, from the free-throw line in high-scoring game.
The future Hall of Famer was 18-for-31 from the floor in 36 pulsating minutes.
With the loss, Portland fell to 3-3.
It was a vintage performance by one of the greatest shooters of all time.
“I love it. I love everything about what this game offers, the competitiveness and the fire,” Curry told reporters after the game.
He added: “I never run from it. Just excited to be in that atmosphere where I get to play at the highest level and do what I do.”
Great start for Stephen Curry
Curry had the hot hand early on. By the end of the first quarter, he had 21 points on 7-for-11 shooting.
The Warriors trailed 5-0 before Curry nailed a 22-foot jumper.
The Trail Blazers’ advantage increased to 9-2 before Curry sank a pair of free throws with 9:25 left in the opening stanza.
A James Wiseman tip-in at the 6:36 mark gave the hosts their first lead, 14-12.
By halftime, he had 31 points.
The Warriors (3-3) led 66-54 at halftime.
As good as ever
In a career highlighted by five consecutive trips to the NBA Finals, Stephen Curry had his previous high-scoring game (54 points) on Feb. 27, 2013 against the New York Knicks.
Sunday’s masterclass in shooting was a big reminder of how great Curry is when he’s on a roll.
In October 2019, Curry suffered a broken left hand in the Warriors’ fifth and missed the remainder of the season.
Despite the personal accolades that follow great individual performance like Sunday’s, Curry focuses on the bigger picture.
“It’s just kind of slowing down, every game we are going to get better,” Curry told reporters. “Shoot shots, make them and then everything opens up from there.”
Praise from Kerr
Warriors coach Steve Kerr commended Curry for maximizing his talents in a league dominated by players much taller than him.
“If you think about most of the guys who are considered the best in the league, they’re physical freaks of nature: LeBron, Giannis, Anthony Davis,” Kerr said, according to this post-game report.
“Steph is 6-3, 180 pounds, so he has to carry a game with skill, he can’t carry a game with physicality and athleticism.
Trivia question
Who are the only Warriors to score 60 or more points in an NBA game?
Wilt Chamberlain (on 27 occasions), Joe Fulks, Rick Barry, Klay Thompson, and Stephen Curry.