WARRIORS 143, T’WOLVES 123 In 40point outing, Curry puts on show
As he jogged backward Thursday night, Warriors guard Stephen Curry stuck out his tongue and rolled his eyes upward.
This silly facial expression, expected more from a 6yearold at recess than a 31yearold father of three, was Curry’s celebration after a deep 3pointer in the third quarter of Golden State’s 143123 preseason win over the Timberwolves at Chase Center. Curry might now be the Warriors’ oldest player, but he still knows how to have a good time.
His joyful dominance is the biggest reason many in the organization are bullish about Golden State’s chances of contending for another title this season. Though Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston are gone, the Warriors still have Curry and Draymond Green to stabilize a young roster until Klay Thompson returns from his torn ACL.
As he tests the limits of his prime, Curry remains capable of singlehandedly propelling a team past expectations. Studies have shown that his mere presence improves his teammates’ shooting percentages more than anyone else in the NBA. With a mix of shimmies, dazzling dribbling displays and 30footers, Curry gets grown men to feel like they’re back on the playground.
Such was the case Thursday, when he giggled his way to yet another videogame stat line. In just 25 minutes, Curry posted 40 points on 14for19 shooting (6for9 from 3point range), six assists, six rebounds and two steals, offering his eight new teammates a peek into the transcendence he’s apt to provide any given night.
Shortly before he checked out for good midway through the fourth quarter, Curry stepped to the foul line as an “MVP” chant emanated from a sellout crowd of 18,064. Those fans were only verbalizing what many throughout the league reckon is possible, perhaps even probable, if the Warriors maintain their title as “contender” this season.
With a thin bench, an inexperienced supporting cast and Thompson likely out until at least March, Golden State needs Curry to channel the consistent absurdity that made him the league’s first and only unanimous MVP. The big question is whether, now in his 30s, he can avoid injury and not tire by the postseason.
To ensure he is fresh for a potential playoff berth, Curry needs littleknown youngsters to seize significant roles. This Warriors preseason is about melding together the new with old and ironing out the rotation.
By that measure, Thursday was a success. Curry was the headliner, but Jordan Poole (19 points), D’Angelo Russell (16 points, five assists), Glenn Robinson III (13 points, five rebounds), Eric Paschall (11 points on five shots) and Marquese Chriss (eight points, 11 rebounds, four assists) offered reasons for optimism.
After Curry’s night ended with less than five minutes left, the Warriors added 10 points to their cushion. That was with six players, including Thompson, Willie CauleyStein (left midfoot sprain) and Kevon Looney (right hamstring strain), sidelined by injuries.