On Tuesday evening, two of the NBA’s top five teams met in a nationally broadcast matchup, with the Brooklyn Nets hosting the Golden State Warriors at Barclays Center. The Nets were actually slight betting favorites at the start of the game, but by the fourth quarter, Golden State had taken command and sent a strong message in a 117-99 triumph. While there were numerous storylines to take away from the Warriors’ impressive road victory, Steph Curry, as always, was at the center of it all.
The Nets led by three points at the end of the first quarter, thanks to a 34-point performance and above 50% shooting. Curry’s 12 points kept the Warriors in the game, and that was only the beginning. Golden State took a halftime lead thanks to Andrew Wiggins and an improving defense, with Curry scoring 19 points before halftime and putting continual pressure on Brooklyn’s defense.
In addition to Curry’s true brilliance, the first half was notable in that he was greeted with MVP chants. This happens frequently in San Francisco, but this time it happened on the road against Kevin Durant, another top-tier candidate.
Golden State then blew the game wide open in the third quarter, outscoring the Nets 35-18. The Warriors dominated on both ends of the court, holding the Nets to just 23 percent shooting in the third quarter, and Curry continued his offensive dominance.
The Warriors had things in control with a 22-point lead, but if there was any doubt, Curry erased it early in the fourth quarter with an on-brand shooting onslaught. Curry hit three more three-pointers before exiting early due to the wide score, putting the finishing touches on this rout.
He even hit one that didn’t count right before he checked out, much to the delight of the fans.
Curry had 37 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two steals, and a block in total. Curry made nine of his 14 three-point shots, as well as 3-for-5 from two-point range and 4-for-4 at the free throw line, and he firmly established himself as the MVP favorite early on. Draymond Green and Golden State’s defense deserve credit, but in a marquee game, all eyes were on Curry, and he delivered.
