In a thrilling playoff matchup, Stephen Curry showcased his extraordinary skills, leading the Golden State Warriors to a 104-93 victory against the Houston Rockets. Just one night after LeBron James scored an impressive 38 points, Curry stepped up his game, delivering a remarkable performance in Game 3 of the series, especially in the absence of Jimmy Butler, who was sidelined due to a pelvic and deep glute contusion.
Curry’s stats were impressive, finishing with 36 points, nine assists, seven rebounds, five 3-pointers, and two blocked shots. The Warriors faced an uphill battle, trailing by as many as 13 points in the first half and struggling with just 18 points in the first quarter. However, their resilience shone through as they clawed back to take a 2-1 lead in this intense playoff series. “In this series, no game is gonna be pretty,” Curry stated. “You just kind of have to grind it out and stick with the runs.”
Without Butler on the court, Curry was fiercely targeted by the Rockets' defense. Despite this, he managed to navigate the pressure and execute under challenging conditions. “Every guard in the joint is tracking him. They know he's trying to escape,” said Curry, emphasizing the difficulty of maintaining balance and poise amidst such aggressive defense. His ability to create and convert scoring opportunities, even when double-teamed, is nothing short of extraordinary.
Fred VanVleet of the Rockets acknowledged Curry's talent, saying, “This is one of the all-time greats.” He pointed out that while the Rockets had previously managed to limit Curry to three points in an earlier matchup, this was not a realistic expectation. The playoffs demand constant adjustments, and the Warriors executed their game plan effectively, taking advantage of the defensive lapses from Houston.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr praised Curry's performance, stating, “He's one of the greatest players of all time. To play 41 minutes against that kind of defense, to have a slow start and then find his rhythm, it was brilliant.” Kerr noted that Curry only scored two points in the first quarter but adapted well, finding his groove and finishing strong.
While Curry was the star of the night, he received significant support from his teammates. Buddy Hield stepped up with 17 points, including crucial three-pointers that helped maintain the Warriors' lead during critical moments. Hield reflected on Curry's competitive spirit, saying, “He embraces that. He thrives off that.”
Draymond Green was another key contributor, stuffing the stat sheet with eight rebounds, seven points, four assists, three blocks, and two steals. His defensive efforts against Alperen Sengun were vital for the Warriors, showcasing their collective grit. Additionally, Gary Payton II scored 11 crucial points in the fourth quarter, propelling the Warriors to victory.
With the Warriors facing a significant size disadvantage in this series, every contribution counts. Quentin Post, despite a quiet offensive night, made his presence felt with 12 rebounds, demonstrating the importance of teamwork in the playoffs. “This is what the playoffs are about... guys stepping up,” Kerr noted, highlighting the necessity of resilience in challenging times.
Ultimately, the Warriors managed to secure a victory that might have slipped away. “It wasn't pretty at times, but this is just the latest in a long line of gritty wins for a Warriors team,” Curry said. As they prepare for Game 4, the team will hope for Butler's return, which could provide them with the edge needed to further control the series. For now, the Warriors hold a crucial 2-1 lead, demonstrating their relentless competitive spirit.
