Curry makes Golden State history in win
LOS ANGELES: Stephen Curry became the all-time leading scorer in Golden State Warriors history with the ninth 50-point game of his career, exploding for 53 in a 116-107 victory over the visiting Denver Nuggets in the NBA on Monday.
Curry began the game with 17,765 points in his Warriors career, needing 18 to equal Wilt Chamberlain’s all-time franchise record.
It took him just 10 minutes and 20 seconds to catch and pass Chamberlain, with five three-pointers and two free throws setting the stage for a driving lay-up over former teammate JaVale McGee for his 18th and 19th points of the night.
At Salt Lake City, Bradley Beal scored 34 points and Russell Westbrook bagged a triple double as the Washington Wizards ended the Utah Jazz’s 24-game home winning streak with a 125-121 victory.
Donovan Mitchell delivered a 42-point gem for Utah but could not prevent the under-strength Western Conference leaders from sliding to a surprise defeat against a Wizards team struggling near the foot of the East.
Utah, with Mike Conley and Jordan Clarkson absent from the line-up, looked to be racing towards a 25th straight home victory after a dazzling opening quarter saw them put up 42 points.
Mitchell contributed 17 points in that
burst of early scoring, but Washington responded superbly to outscore Utah 37-23 in the second for a 70-65 halftime lead.
Washington took control in the third period with a 19-8 run, and with Mitchell’s touch suddenly deserting him, Utah were left chasing the game in the fourth.
At New York, Julius Randle scored 34 points as the Knicks routed the depleted Los Angeles Lakers 111-96.
The NBA champions coughed up 25
turnovers as the Knicks romped to victory, with Elfrid Payton adding 20 points and Derrick Rose 14.
Lakers coach Frank Vogel pointed the finger at his team’s wayward offensive display.