Golden State Warriors talisman Stephen Curry dropped 52 points as they registered a convincing 134-125 win against the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night. The Warriors had suffered a loss by 51 points when they had last played in Memphis in December.
In that game, Curry was held without a field goal but on Tuesday, the linchpin once again proved his mettle. The superstar said he is high on confidence and his tank is full after getting a one-week rest.
“I had actually forgotten,” Curry said when asked if the teams’ previous game was motivation. “I was just kind of more focused on how big this game was for us.”
With this win, the Warriors moved into fifth place in the Western Conference standings, going past the Grizzlies.
Curry connected on his first five shots, including four 3-pointers, and was 11-of-16 by halftime, including 8-of-10 from distance.
“I feel in a good rhythm,” he said. “The week off helped. The tank is pretty full.”
Overall, Curry scored 52 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists and overtook Jerry West and moved into 25th place on the NBA all-time scoring list.
“I got a little emotional about that,” Curry said of passing West. “It was special. In his memory. What he meant to our organization, the league, to the world of basketball. … That’s the logo.”
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr rated Curry’s performance as incredible after the win.
“Fifty-two points with people draped all over him, all game long,” Kerr said, later adding: “I’ve been watching this for 11 years, and actually longer before I became his coach. … You get a real sense of just the magnitude of his talent.
“The guy is amazing to watch.”
Draymond Green, who has played with Curry for one-and-half decade, denied if this was his teammate’s best game.
“Hell, no. No chance,” Draymond Green said. “I’ve played with him for 15 years. I can’t quite recall the best one off the top of my head, but that ain’t it.”
The Warriors will next take on the LA Lakers on Thursday.
