Following a night where LeBron James delivered a remarkable 38-point performance, Stephen Curry delivered his own stunning display in Game 3 against the Rockets on Saturday. The key distinction was that Curry`s outstanding effort resulted in a victory.
Despite trailing by as much as 13 points in the first half and scoring only 18 in the first quarter, Curry led the charge for the Warriors. He delivered a heroic performance, tallying 36 points, nine assists, seven rebounds, five three-pointers, and even two blocks. This effort propelled Golden State to a 104-93 win, securing a 2-1 lead in what remains a highly contested series.
According to Curry, this series demands a gritty approach. “In this series, no game is going to be pretty,” he commented. “You just kind of have to grind it out, stick with the runs. We had 22 points, like, halfway through the first half and you`re looking up like, how are we gonna score? You just stick with it and make the right play and the shots started to fall. We made a really good defensive stand, Draymond was unbelievable, everybody who came in stepped up.”
Against the relentless defensive focus he faces on every play, Curry is constantly tracked by opponents. Despite this intense pressure and the resulting exhaustion, his ability to maintain balance, composure, and execute difficult shots whenever he finds even a tiny bit of space is remarkable. His consistent high-level performance remains astonishing.
Houston`s Fred VanVleet acknowledged Curry`s exceptional skill. “We`re not going to hold him to three points every time we play them,” he stated, referencing a previous game. “We have to understand that. This is one of the all-time greats. I thought our coverages were a little slow tonight, some of the switching, some of the physicality [on Curry] was a touch down from how we had it ramped up the previous game, but this is the playoffs. It`s all about adjustments and chess match and different things.”
VanVleet continued, “[the Warriors] were prepared. I thought they executed at a higher level than we did, and sometimes that`s all it comes down to. [Curry] got some clean looks, more so than we would like, so we got to try to limit his opportunities and make his life a little bit harder out there, but obviously that`s a tough cover.”
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr praised Curry extensively. “I mean he`s Steph Curry. He`s one of the greatest players of all time,” Kerr said. He highlighted Curry`s conditioning at age 37, calling him “one of the most well-conditioned athletes I`ve ever seen in my life.” Kerr added, “To play 41 minutes against that kind of defense, to have a slow start and then find his rhythm, which we`ve seen him do countless times over the years, to hit big shots, to only turn it over twice against that kind of pressure, he was brilliant.”
Kerr also noted Curry`s slow start, where he scored only two points in the first quarter. However, similar to Game 1 where he initiated his offense by driving to the basket, Curry effectively countered the perimeter defense by attacking the rim. This helped him find his flow, leading to a 13-point outburst in the second quarter, from which point he maintained his high level of play.
Curry`s performance was vital, but he received significant support. Without his usual superstar counterpart, four other players emerged as crucial contributors, quietly providing the help needed:
- Buddy Hield: Provided key scoring during challenging first-half stretches and hit two massive three-pointers in the second half, giving the Warriors vital breathing room. Hield finished with 17 points and five three-pointers, and his impressive +14 point differential was second only to Curry. These were monster minutes from Buddy Buckets.
- Draymond Green: Delivered an all-around impactful performance, stuffing the stat sheet with eight rebounds, seven points, four assists, three blocks, and two steals. The Warriors were +12 during his 34 minutes on the court. He played tough defense against Alperen Sengun and battled tirelessly against Houston`s size advantage.
- Gary Payton II: Provided a vital scoring surge in the fourth quarter, tallying 11 points, including a crucial nine straight points over a two-minute span that turned a one-point deficit into a six-point lead with under four minutes remaining.
- Quentin Post: Primarily known for his shooting, Post didn`t make a three-pointer and scored only two points, but he earned his playing time with an exceptional 12 rebounds, including three offensive boards when the team desperately needed extra possessions. Post battled valiantly in the paint on both ends, which was crucial given the Warriors` size disadvantage. Considering the context and the team`s need for interior presence, this was likely one of Post`s best career games.
Coach Kerr emphasized the nature of the playoffs. “This is what the playoffs are about… they`re about injuries and they`re about guys stepping up,” he stated. He highlighted the team`s ability to overcome challenges and secure a win. “You have to be able to withstand that and win a game here, and we`ve done that for many years. We`ve had some of our most important guys miss multiple games in a series. This is what you have to do. You`ve got to find a way, and our guys did that today.”
Indeed, the Warriors found a way to win, even when it wasn`t visually appealing at times. This victory exemplifies the team`s history of gritty performances, built on a foundation of collective competitiveness. This team consistently battles. They secured a victory in a game they might otherwise have lost. The 2-1 series lead is a positive step, positioning them well moving forward.
Jasper Hawthorne