Warriors guard Stephen Curry provided Golden State and NBA fans with one of his classic shooting performances to give the team a boost. The Warriors got off to a slow start Thursday against the Orlando Magic, and then Curry’s 56-point night helped the Warriors erase a 14-point deficit at the half to defeat the Magic 121-115.
Curry tallied his 43rd 20-point quarter effort, the most of any current player dating back to 1996-97, and recorded his 45th game with nine or more 3-pointers in a single game. This was the 26th time in his career that Curry made at least 10 3s in a game; no one in league history has reached that mark more than nine times.
The Warriors star finished with four rebounds and three assists to go along with his 56 points, shooting 16-of-25 from the field and connecting on 12 of 19 3-pointers.
Most 20-point quarters since 1996-97
- Stephen Curry (42)
- Kobe Bryant (36)
- James Harden (30)
- Damian Lillard (28)
- Devin Booker (27)
What part of Curry’s performance was the most impressive?
He scored 25 of his points in a 10-minute stretch that completely flipped the game. The Warriors were down 17 with 1.5 seconds left in the first half, inbounding from under their own hoop. Curry proceeded to hit a 49-footer from beyond halfcourt to trim the lead to 14 and then went nuclear during a 33-9 run out of the break.
When he checked out with two-plus minutes still left in the third quarter, the Warriors were up nine and Curry already had 43 points. — Anthony Slater, senior NBA writer
Was he needed in the fourth quarter?
Yes. Besides rookie center Quinten Post, there wasn’t much supplemental offensive help for Curry. Jimmy Butler had his worst game with the Warriors, finishing with a quiet five points on 1-of-7 shooting. The Warriors were a minus-9 with Curry off the floor. So he had to play hero down the stretch when the Magic threatened. Curry had 13 points in the final 4:01 of the game, drilling three straight 3s to keep the lead and four free throws to seal a fifth straight win. — Slater
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(Photo: Julio Aguilar / Getty Images)
