A short-handed Warriors squad arrived at Phoenix on Christmas Eve.

With Jordan Poole, Andrew Wiggins, Damion Lee, Moses Moody and assistant coach Mike Brown in health and safety protocols, Andre Iguodala nursing a sore knee and Kenny Atkinson not being able to make the trip, the Warriors were facing a tough task ahead on a marquee Christmas Day matchup.

Given the fact that superstar Stephen Curry has performed at a subpar standard during Christmas along with the Warriors-Suns matchup having a potential Western Conference Finals preview, the stakes for a regular season game have never been higher.

Historically speaking, Curry has posted an average of 13.1 points, 6.8 assists and 5.0 rebounds on 30.2 percent shooting in games played on December 25.

His best performance came in 2015 with a 19-point outing on 6/15 shooting along with 7 assists in a win versus the Cleveland Cavaliers.

This time around, Curry was coming into the game on a hot streak, posting back-to-back 30-point performances as well as a huge 46-point outing against the Grizzlies.

As such, the two-time MVP proved once again why he is in the conversation of winning his third MVP by silencing critics with 33 points, 6 assists, and most importantly the win.

“It’s just all hands on deck with the nature of the part of the season that we’re in,” Curry said.

Curry came out of the gates aggressive, going 3/6 from the field and 1-for-4 from three in the first quarter. His lone first-quarter three came at the start of the game. In semi-transition, he lured Devin Booker to sleep and executed a step-back to gain separation.

This got him going, as his next basket was just as bold when he got the ball near the free-throw line and pulled a one-leg fadeaway shot.

“I mean it feels good,” Curry said. “I know I talked about it a lot, and I knew what the numbers said, and so it was definitely all that concerted effort to get off to a good start and just enjoy myself and now I’m ready to go home.”

Curry finished the first half with 13 points, already matching his averages on Christmas Day. The single basket in the third came off a transition layup, but with the game on the line, Curry took over and nailed two timely threes.

With the Warriors up 99-97, Curry called for a screen and got Cameron Johnson switched on him. As he faded to his left, Curry delivered on a critical step-back three that hit nothing but net, effectively ending the game.

“It’s all a part of that progress in terms of every opportunity,” Curry said. “You have to take another step and confidently say that you’re getting better as a team. Tonight was a night like that for sure, especially because you got to feel what the playoff-type atmosphere is. To feel that atmosphere, to understand the margins of what wins a game even if you’re [down] so many guys. Our defensive presence tonight was unreal, everybody on the floor took that personally and we stuck with it, so a step in the right direction.”

The Warriors demonstrated why they are indeed a legit title contender and now lead the season series against the Suns 2-1.

The Warriors return home on Dec. 28 to face the Nuggets.

(Photo credit: Rick Scuteri/AP)