Stephen Curry Sinks Rockets at the Buzzer
Let’s start by saying the Warriors really needed this one. After falling short to the skeleton crew of the Pacers’ bench last night despite Steph Curry posting 39 points, there were a lot of concerns surrounding this team. They had dropped 6 of their last 9, and looked like they were struggling in the first half all through this game. As they battled back towards the win, it all boiled down to Steph, who had been cold the whole night.
And he called game.
Steph got the ball with about 5 seconds left off the inbound. With the clock winding down, Steph dropped his hips and went strong to the rim against Kevin Porter Jr. Unfortunately for KPJ, Curry hit a stepback mid drive - one that, while James Harden gets credit for it, was really patented by him - and sent him careening, getting a wide open look. Steph drained the mid-range jumper, and there was going to be no overtime tonight.
Steph Curry has been struggling from the floor ever since a few games leading up to breaking Ray Allen’s regular-season, three-point field goals made record, and while he’s had some solid games, he hasn’t quite been the same 30 that Warriors fans have gotten so used to seeing over the years. This, if anything, is something he needed. After missing the game-winning shot last night, a 30-footer from the top of the key, it’s a great redemption to keep the Warriors winning.
The 2x MVP is more than familiar with game-winning shots, although few, if any, have come from the buzzer in his career. You can point back to some of his most iconic shots - the half-court bomb in OKC, the dribble pull-up against Orlando, and the pair he’s made against the Mavs. But against a long-time conference rival, even as they rebuild, that had to be a cathartic experience.
As they say: Death, taxes, and Steph Curry beating the Houston Rockets when it matters most.
The Warriors had a poor game, turning the ball over 17 times and committing 18 fouls. They looked undisciplined, with the Rockets youth really being what won the game for them down the stretch. Prior to his buzzer beater, Curry was 5/20, one of his worst shooting performances even within his recent stretch, and went 4-for-13 from three on the night. He showed up when it mattered most, but the Dubs have some serious reflection to do moving forward.
The Warriors next face the Utah Jazz in San Francisco, and will look to ride the high off tonight’s win. The Jazz have been struggling recently, but are still a solid barometer of what needs to be fixed. Golden State historically beats the breaks off Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mithcell and their squad. We’ll see what happens on Sunday, but the Steph Curry comeback tour may have just begun tonight.
(Photo credit: National Basketball Association)