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There was something explosive about the level of Stephen Curry’s play in his first game back after the 2018 NBA All-Star Break.
During the the last quarter of a season, it seems as if Curry is more aggressive and looks for his shot more than he does before the break. If he happens to be in a slump weeks before NBA All-Star Weekend, he tends to break out of that slump on the first game after the break.
That’s exactly what happened Thursday night against the Los Angeles Clippers. Curry exploded for 44 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists on 14-for-19 shooting from the field and 8-for-11 from deep.
He became the 20th player in 55 years to score 40 points or more on fewer than 20 field goal attempts along with 10 free throw attempts or less.
Curry’s career percentage from three after the All-Star Break is 45.8 percent in comparison to his pre-All-Star Break three-point percentage of 42.4.
“I think I missed every shot in the All-Star Game so I could hit them when they counted. “ Curry joked after the game.
When Curry sunk that 38-foot buzzer beater at that end of the first quarter, I knew the Clippers were going to be in for a long night. As the game progressed, the Warriors set some double high screens that contained DeAndre Jordan and Curry remained hot from the perimeter.
While Curry’s 8 threes and 97 percent true shooting percentage in the game was phenomenal, I was more impressed with his work off the line and in the paint. Curry’s work in the lane as a passer and as a finisher created more more opportunities for the Warriors to attack the Clippers’ defense.
Despite the game being closer than it should have been, it was Curry who gave the Warriors a cushion with two dagger threes in the fourth.
Thursday’s performance against the Clippers is another example of Curry elevating his play after the break, and he is clearly the Warrior Wonder for the game.
Poll
Who was your Warrior Wonder for the win against the Clippers?
This poll is closed
-
79%
Steph Curry
(1120 votes) -
3%
Kevin Durant
(47 votes) -
0%
Draymond Green
(12 votes) -
3%
Klay Thompson
(46 votes) -
8%
JaVale McGee
(127 votes) -
0%
Andre Iguodala
(4 votes) -
1%
Zaza Pachulia
(21 votes) -
0%
Nick Young
(14 votes) -
1%
David West
(16 votes) -
0%
Shaun Livingston
(8 votes)