Golden State Warriors beat Portland Trail Blazers 137-122 on Monday night with Stephen Curry producing another memorable, record-breaking performance. The Warriors point guard chipped in with an astonishing 62 points – a career-high tally.
Curry finished 18 for 31 and eight of 16 on three-pointers after beginning with a 21-point first quarter. He also produced his 10th career 30-point half to help put the Warriors 66-54 at half time in the contest. There was one small fault, though, with Curry’s run of 80 consecutive free throws coming to an end, despite him making 18 of 19 free throw attempts – another career high figure.
Warriors couldn’t keep up with Curry
His team-mates reminded Curry of his points tally with every chance that came his way, with his colleagues struggling to keep up with his feats. “He was making every shot within like 10 seconds and we couldn’t even keep up,” rookie James Wiseman said.
Those feats are a timely reminder of just what Curry is capable of, after a disappointing 2019-20 campaign that was, of course, curtailed by the global Covid-19 pandemic. Curry was limited to just five appearances last season after suffering a broken hand. Curry’s previous career-high points tally in a single game was 54, a figure he achieved back in February 2013.
His performance was of sustained quality throughout the game too. He started on fire, scoring 21 points in the first 12 minutes of the game. In the first quarter of the clash, he made seven of 11 shots to help the Warriors to a 36-33 lead.
In the game’s second quarter, Curry managed 10 points, before adding another 14 in the third quarter. In the final 12 minutes of the game, he contributed another 17 points, with three three-pointers. Over the course of the game, he also chipped in with five rebounds and four assists.
Curry did not beat Portland on his own, of course, despite his world-class display. Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins contributed 21 points, while rookie center James Wiseman managed 12 points and 11 rebounds. Kelly Oubre Jr. was also in on the act, scoring 17 points.
Kerr: Coaching Curry is a “privilege”
It is Curry who was undoubtedly and deservedly the star of the night, though, and Warriors coach Steven Kerr was delighted to see a display of such quality and typical verve from the superstar.
“It’s just a privilege to coach him, it really is,” Kerr said.
Curry himself was also clearly very pleased indeed to be back out on the court doing what he does best. He said: "I love everything about what this game offers, the competitiveness and the fire. Just excited to be in that atmosphere where I get to play at the highest level and do what I do."
