Steph Curry's Top 5 NBA Finals Performances
Through four games, it’s been clear that Steph Curry has been the best player in the series. After his 43 point season-saving game to tie the series 2-2, the talk around the league was this Game 4 possibly being the best finals performance in Curry’s career. He’s had many great showings in the finals, and while the future hall-of-famer says he doesn’t rank his own finals games, it’s only right that we do it for him. Let’s take a look at Steph Curry’s top 5 finals performances.
5. 2016, GAME 4 vs CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Prior to the disappointing ending of a blown 3-1 lead by Golden State, Game 4 was a statement win for the Warriors led by the chef himself. In what was already a magical season for the first ever unanimous MVP season, this game was a reminder of why Steph rightfully earned that distinction.
After losing Game 3 in blowout fashion, Curry put together a 24 point second half to push the Warriors to a (in most cases) commanding 3-1 lead over Cleveland. Steph finished the game with 38 points which was a finals career high at the time.
4. 2018, GAME 4 vs CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Golden State put Cleveland to sleep in a sweeping fashion in the 2018 NBA Finals. In the clinching game for the Warriors’ third title in four years, the baby-faced assassin made sure to end the Cavaliers’ misery. Curry finished this one with 37 points, tagging along six rebounds and four assists.
You could’ve made the case for Steph to win Finals MVP in this series, but even after his 37 point performance to end the Cavs’ season, the award had most likely been a lock to go to Kevin Durant.
3. 2019, GAME 3 vs TORONTO RAPTORS
Now although this game eventually produced a loss for the Warriors, the NBA fans won because they got to witness a clinic by Curry. In a similar situation that Golden State was in this current series against Boston, the Dubs’ had the chance to put themselves in the driver seat for the series. Curry made sure to at least give Golden State that chance.
Steph finished this game with a finals career-high of 47 points with eight rebounds and seven assists. It is games like this one that make you wonder how Curry received the narrative that he disappears in the finals.
2. 2015, GAME 5 vs CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Allow him to introduce himself; ladies and gentlemen, this is Stephen Curry. You can consider this game as one of Curry’s claims to fame. While we had become aware of the Davidson’s products greatness in the previous playoff runs, this game solidified his superstar status. In his first finals appearance going up against a top five player of all time in LeBron James, the 6’3” guard showed no fear and made his threat known.
Curry would give Golden State a 3-2 series lead after dropping 37 points with 17 of those coming in the fourth quarter. Curry would also drop seven 3’s in this one, and as Iman Shumpert said in an interview last year, the Cavs learned quickly that this kid was the real deal from deep range. This game was also the creation of one of Steph’s best memes and most memorable shots– a behind the back, step-back three on Dellavedova with Curry putting on the Bay’s signature thizz face while running back after the shot.
1. 2022, GAME 4 vs BOSTON CELTICS
As Mike Breen would say on the broadcast, this game was a display of “the brilliance of Steph Curry”. With the pressure that Boston had applied to Golden State after winning Game 3, it felt as if Game 4 was a win-or-go-home game.
However, when you have the best player in the series on your team, you can never count yourself out. Let me rephrase that, when you have a top 10 player of all time on your team, you will always have a chance to win the biggest games. Curry went on to finish the game with a 43 point 10 rebound double-double with seven made 3’s to propel the Warriors to a must needed win.
This game boosted Curry’s legacy and only further proved that Steph does indeed show up in the big game spotlight. Now even as great as a game this was, the Warriors need to win the title, or else it may become one of the forgotten star-shining performances in his career later down the line.
(Photo credit: Eric Gay / Associated Press)