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Let me introduce myself again.
Steph Curry reminded everyone of his otherworldly ability, posting a career-high 62 points to lead the Golden State Warriors to a 137-122 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.
After the Warriors’ slow start to the season (3-3), Curry had come under scrutiny for both his performances and the team’s struggles. After his crushing loss to the Blazers just two days earlier, he responded in spectacular fashion.
He wasted little time getting into his offensive rhythm, racking up 21 points in the first quarter on 7 of 11 shots from the field to give the Warriors an advantage they wouldn’t give up.
💦 The curry is poured into 2⃣1⃣ in the 1st Q! 💦@Warriors early in Q2 on NBA TV pic.twitter.com/mUyuqlzpP9
– NBA (@NBA) January 4, 2021
Curry dazzled with a series of dribbling moves as he ripped through the Blazers defense, scoring baskets from across the court, hitting the rim, connecting from midrange and doing what he does best from the 3-point line.
He shot 18 of 31 on the night, including 8 of 16 from deep, and added five rebounds and four assists. I was over 20 in 36 minutes.
HIGH RACE NIGHT FOR STEPH.
62 POINTS
18-31 FG
8-16 3p
18-19 FEETThat’s the most points by a Warrior since Rick Barry in 1974. pic.twitter.com/x26J49qZHk
– StatMuse (@statmuse) January 4, 2021
Curry was 18-of-19 at the free throw line, with his lone first-quarter failure ending his consecutive streak of free throws at 80.
He drew his 50 pieces midway through the fourth, his first 50-point game since 2018, and capped off his night by exhausting his eighth triple of the game to go up 62.
DO. THAT. fifty.
Stephen Curry is ON FIRE … 5:29 left on @NBATV pic.twitter.com/f6NvgK2x5D
– NBA (@NBA) January 4, 2021
“It’s kind of a slowdown, in every game we’re going to get better,” Curry said after the victory. “Shoot shots, make them and then everything opens up from there.
With his first 60-point game of his career, Curry joins teammate Klay Thompson, Rick Barry, Joe Fulks and Wilt Chamberlain (27 times) as the only players in Warriors history to score 60 points in a game.
Sheeeesh @ EstebanCurry30 🔥 !! Welcome to club big bro # 62 🐐
– klay thompson (@KlayThompson) January 4, 2021
Curry’s previous career high of 54 points came in 2013 against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
“It was a brilliant performance,” head coach Steve Kerr said after the game.
“We’ve seen Steph do so many things here over the years, so many incredible nights at Oracle and now here in the Chase and it’s a privilege to train him, it really is.
“Not just because of his talent, but also because of the way he carries himself, the way he leads and we are incredibly blessed as an organization to have Steph leading the way, and what a performance tonight.”
The Warriors, who are now .500 after three wins, enjoyed their best game of the season, thanks in large part to better display on the defensive end. With Draymond Green playing his second game of the season, the Warriors were more organized and disciplined in attacking shooters and protecting the rim, and for the first time this season, they won the battle on the glass, rebounding the Blazers 60- 51.
Compilation of Draymond Green’s defensive activity tonight against the Blazers. It really erased Nurkić’s RPG. pic.twitter.com/QLZQPG3ELZ
– Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 4, 2021
James Wiseman had a career-high 11 rebounds to go with 12 points, Kent Bazemore had eight and Andrew Wiggins had seven. Wiggins added 21 points on the night, while Kelly Oubre Jr. produced a spirited performance on both ends, chipping in 17 points, five rebounds and two steals on 7 of 13 shooting.
Damian Lillard led the Trail Blazers with 32 points, while CJ McCollum had 28 points and nine rebounds.
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