In an exhilarating game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night, Steph Curry showcased his extraordinary skills, scoring 52 points and leading the Golden State Warriors to a 134-125 victory. As the first half drew to a close, Curry raced past Jimmy Butler, hands up and ready for the pass. Once he received the ball about 30 feet from the basket on the right wing, he launched a stunning rainbow shot that found nothing but net, bringing his first-half total to 32 points. This marked the 22nd occasion in Curry's career that he has scored 30 or more points in the first half, solidifying his reputation as a scoring powerhouse.
Curry's performance was highlighted by his 12 three-pointers, just two shy of the record held by his former teammate Klay Thompson. The game was particularly significant for Curry as he surpassed Jerry West to climb to 25th on the all-time scoring list. He finished the night shooting an impressive 16-of-31 from the field and 12-of-20 from beyond the arc. With this victory, the Warriors improved their record to 44-31, securing the fifth seed in the Western Conference, placing them half a game ahead of the struggling Grizzlies (44-32) and also ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves (43-32) in the play-in tournament standings.
The intensity of the match had a palpable playoff feel, a sentiment echoed by Warriors coach Steve Kerr in his post-game comments. While Curry was undoubtedly the star of the night, he received significant support from his teammates. Jimmy Butler was also in top form, contributing 27 points on 7-of-11 shooting and making all 12 of his free throws. Additionally, Draymond Green recorded a triple-double, finishing with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists, proving that teamwork is essential for the Warriors' success.
In a pivotal moment, Brandin Podziemski increased the Warriors' lead to five points with just 1:11 left in regulation, performing a remarkable tip-in layup over Grizzlies star Ja Morant, who scored 36 points in the game. Following that, Moses Moody extended the lead to eight points with a crucial corner three-pointer. The Warriors also showcased their proficiency at the free-throw line, finishing the game with a perfect 28-of-28 record from the charity stripe, effectively sealing their victory.
This game was particularly significant for Curry, who had a dismal outing in his last visit to Memphis' FedEx Forum, where he scored only two points on 0-for-7 shooting in a 51-point loss. Determined to avoid a repeat of that performance, Curry came out strong, making his first five shots and scoring 19 points within the first 12 minutes. The Warriors set a season-high for points in the first quarter with 45, demonstrating their offensive prowess.
Despite missing key players such as Jonathan Kuminga and Gary Payton II, the Warriors had no trouble dismantling the Grizzlies' defense. They quickly put former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. in foul trouble, allowing them to capitalize early. Memphis, under interim coach Tuomas Iisalo, fought back valiantly, cutting a significant deficit to just two points at 58-56 late in the first half. However, the Warriors' resilience prevailed as they navigated their way through the Grizzlies' size advantage, with Jackson Jr., Santi Aldama, and Zach Edey combining for 50 points.
As the Warriors conclude their six-game road trip, they are set to face the fourth-seeded Los Angeles Lakers in a highly anticipated matchup on Thursday. Following that, they will return home to meet the third-seeded Denver Nuggets at the Chase Center on Friday. With the postseason looming, the Warriors are eager to build on their momentum and solidify their playoff positioning.
