Stephen Curry’s will was too strong to make the Golden State Warriors lose, as he led them to a hard-fought 124-120 win over the Brooklyn Nets at Chase Center on Saturday night.
The two-time MVP scored 12 straight points in the fourth quarter to keep the Warriors in the lead in a game in which he further by becoming the first player in NBA history to reach the 3500-mark for 3-point field goals made.
The first player in NBA history to reach 3,500 threes
Wardell Stephen Curry II ???? pic.twitter.com/gWRGxiR0JL
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) December 17, 2023
Curry, who didn’t miss a single attempt in the fourth quarter, ended the quarter with 16 points and the game in total with 37 points, 3 rebounds, 3 blocks, and six 3s to help Golden State end their three-game losing streak.
“I live with the shots every night, they went in tonight,” he said.
The Warriors were in full control across the first two quarters, entering the halftime break with a 16-point lead. However, a third-quarter surge from the Nets, led by Cam Thomas, saw them reduce the deficit to just six as they won the quarter 35-25.
Brooklyn also took the final quarter 31-29, but Curry’s impact and red-hot hands in the quarter kept the game close to ensure the Warriors won their second straight home game.
“Steph was sublime down the stretch. That was unreal,” Golden State coach Steve Kerr said about the nine-time All-Star’s performance. “We’ve seen him do this over and over again but it never ceases to amaze me what that guy is capable.
“It gave us confidence,” Kerr added. “I think that’s the biggest issue when you’re struggling, you’re maybe emotionally spent a little bit. You have to find confidence and so I think Steph just infuses us with confidence.”
37 points for 30 on Warriors Ground
Player of the Game, powered by @GoogleCloud pic.twitter.com/eDaWeVZC9J
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) December 17, 2023
Klay Thompson, who has come under immense scrutiny this season, finished with 24 points, 5 rebounds, and four 3s for his second straight game with 20 or more points and his seventh of the season. The five-time All-Star passed Jason Terry for the 9th most regular-season threes in NBA history.
Splash.@KlayThompson has passed Jason Terry for the 9th most regular-season threes in NBA history! pic.twitter.com/YLzXdWkwIR
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) December 17, 2023
Rookie Brandin Podziemski continues to impress since becoming a starter, as he finished with 19 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds, and four 3s. The underperforming Andrew Wiggins, who came off the bench for the second straight game and the second time in his career in the regular season, supplied 14 points and 5 rebounds, while Dario Saric poured in 12 points and six rebounds as the Warriors improved to 11-14.
DUB. ✔️ pic.twitter.com/spJaXHY31Y
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) December 17, 2023
Thomas led all scorers with 41 points, along with five rebounds and five 3-pointers. Nic Claxton tallied a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds, along with claiming four blocks.
Mikal Bridges finished with 18 points and six rebounds, Spence Dinwiddie scored 16 points and dished out 14 assists, and Cam Johnson ended with 13 points as all the Nets’ starters finished in double figures.
Golden State improved their winning streak at home to five games, but they will be on the road next when they travel to Oregon to take on the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center on Sunday night, while the Nets, who fell to 13-12, will make a trip to the Vivint Smart Home Arena to play the Utah Jazz on Monday night.
