Warriors' Draymond Green: Steph Curry Will Be 'Livid' After Game 5 3-Point Struggles
Jun 14, 2022
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 13: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics in Game Five of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 13, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Stephen Curry finished 0-for-9 from three during the Golden State Warriors' 104-94 win over the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, breaking a 233-game streak (regular season and playoffs) with a made three-point attempt, per ESPN Stats & Info (h/t Marc Spears).
It was also the first playoff game in his career where he failed to hit a three. And his teammate, Draymond Green, expected that to irk him, despite the win:
Draymond Green on Stephen Curry after missing all 9 of his 3s: “He’s going to be livid going into Game 6. And that’s exactly what we need.” pic.twitter.com/xcAINm12jY
Curry, to his credit, seemed more focused on the win, which gave the Dubs a 3-2 series lead.
"All good things come to an end," he told reporters while discussing the end of his streak. "Glad I can stand here with a smile."
Curry—who still finished with 16 points (7-of-22 from the field) and eight assists in the win—has been superb in these Finals, averaging 34.3 points through the first four games. Given the scoring load the superstar point guard has carried, his head coach Steve Kerr wasn't shocked to see him have an off night from the field.
"I think Steph was probably due for a game like this," he told reporters. "He's been shooting the ball so well that, at some point, he was going to have a tough night. But we've got a lot of talent and a lot of depth that can make up for that."
Andrew Wiggins was the star on Monday, putting up 26 points and 13 boards, while Klay Thompson added 21 points. On a night when Curry and the Warriors shot just 9-of-40 from beyond the arc, the Celtics had a window to steal a win on the road.
Instead, they doomed themselves with 18 turnovers and 10 missed free throws.
"For us, it's really about consistency," Celtics head coach Ime Udoka told reporters after the loss. "And that's the thing we're not having for a full game—consistent effort, sustained effort. Moreso offensively than anything. That's the part we have to have carry over, not only from game to game but quarter to quarter.
"Be confident going home, get your rest and get ready to bring it back here."
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) June 14, 2022
Chances are, Curry isn't going to put up another goose egg from beyond the arc in this series. If Boston doesn't find the consistency Udoka wants to see, Thursday's Game 6 in Boston (9 p.m. ET on ABC) will be the end of its season.
Oh, and Curry's fourth title.
Andrew Wiggins Hyped as 'Future Warrior Legend' in Warriors' Game 5 Win vs. Celtics
Jun 14, 2022
Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) shoots against Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) and forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the first half of Game 5 of basketball's NBA Finals in San Francisco, Monday, June 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
For the first four games of the NBA Finals, Stephen Curry did the heavy lifting for the Golden State Warriors. The question for the Dubs was who might step up if Curry had an off night.
And the answer, resoundingly, was Andrew Wiggins.
The man nicknamed Maple Jordan was awesome Monday night, scoring 26 points and adding 13 boards in Golden State's 104-94 win over the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. The Warriors took a 3-2 lead in the series.
This Wiggins game is just massive, given the circumstances. One that'll largely be forgotten if GSW wins the title, and Steph wins MVP. But probably the one that swings the series.
Curry had his first poor shooting night in this series, finishing 7-of-22 from the field for 16 points. He was 0-of-9 from the field, though he did add eight assists to just one turnover.
The Warriors won with depth—Klay Thompson had 21 points, while Jordan Poole and Gary Payton II combined to score 29 points off the bench—and consistency. The Celtics, meanwhile, killed themselves with turnovers (18) and poor free-throw shooting (21-of-31).
And while Jayson Tatum played well (27 points, 10 boards), his running mate Jaylen Brown struggled mightily (18 points on 5-of-18 shooting from the field).
Ultimately, though, this was the Wiggins game. If the Warriors go on to win the title, this performance won't soon be forgotten.
The Dubs will have the chance to wrap things up in Boston on Thursday at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.
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Magic Johnson: Steph Curry Should Be 2022 NBA Finals MVP Whether Warriors Win or Lose
Jun 13, 2022
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MAY 26: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates after winning the Magic Johnson Western Conference Finals MVP award after Game 5 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals on March 26, 2022 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors star point guard Stephen Curry has been on an impressive run through the first four games of the 2022 NBA Finals, so much so that Hall of Famer Magic Johnson believes he's distinguished himself as the best player in the series.
Johnson tweeted Sunday that he thinks Curry should be named Finals MVP regardless of whether the Warriors win or lose against the Boston Celtics.
In the first four matchups against Boston, Curry has averaged 34.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists while shooting 50.0 percent from the field and 49.0 percent from three-point range. He's coming off a 43-point, 10-rebound performance in Friday's Game 4 to lead Golden State to a 107-97 victory to tie the series 2-2.
The Finals MVP award is one of the only accolades that has eluded Curry throughout his spectacular career. A three-time champion and two-time regular-season MVP, Curry recently admitted to ESPN's Malika Andrews that he has a desire to achieve that distinction.
"It would mean everything, because that pretty much means you're winning the series," Curry said. "... You think about when Andre won, when KD won his two, there's just so much joy in that moment. No matter who wins it, there's so much joy in that moment, you want to be able to experience it."
Jerry West is the only player ever to be named Finals MVP as a member of a losing team, and that occurred way back in 1969. More recently, LeBron James received a few votes for Finals MVP in 2015 despite his Cleveland Cavaliers team falling to Curry and the Warriors.
Curry will have another chance to continue building his Finals MVP resume in Monday's Game 5 at Chase Center.
Stephen Curry on Warriors' Title Window: 'Definitely' Feel We Have a Lot Left in Tank
Jun 12, 2022
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts during the first quarter of Game 4 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, Friday, June 10, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Stephen Curry believes the Golden State Warriors have a longer window of title contention beyond this year.
"We definitely feel like we have a lot left in the tank."
"You bring up the age thing, it's something to talk about but it doesn't really reflect how we approach this playoff journey...our confidence about what we can do going forward," Curry said.
The Warriors are tied 2-2 with the Boston Celtics in the 2022 NBA Finals, seeking their fourth title in an eight-year span. The squad has already won the Western Conference six times in this stretch.
It initially seemed as though the window had already closed after they lost to the Toronto Raptors in the 2019 NBA Finals.
Kevin Durant left in free agency, while Curry and Klay Thompson dealt with injuries as the Warriors struggled to a 15-50 record in 2019-20. The squad missed the playoffs again in 2020-21 while Thompson missed a second straight year with a ruptured Achilles.
With the core of Curry, Thompson and Draymond Green all over 30 years old, it didn't seem likely the team would return to title contention.
They proved the doubters wrong in 2021-22, finishing 53-29 before going 12-4 in the first three playoff rounds. The squad is now two wins away from another championship.
Curry has certainly shown he is not slowing down, winning the scoring title in 2020-21 while carrying the team throughout much of this year. He is averaging 34.3 points per game in the NBA Finals, including an incredible 43-point performance in the Game 4 win while coming off what appeared to be a substantial foot injury suffered at the end of Game 3.
With 27-year-old Andrew Wiggins developing into an All-Star this season and 22-year-old Jordan Poole emerging as a reliable offensive weapon capable of taking over games, Golden State should remain a top contender next year as well. The future will be even brighter if young players like James Wiseman, Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga meet expectations.
The Celtics might have the younger roster, but the Warriors aren't going away anytime soon.
The 2022 NBA Finals is now a best-of-three. The Golden State Warriors knotted the series at two wins apiece Friday night with their 107-97 road win over the...
Stephen Curry Signed Rookie Warriors Jersey Patch Card Could Sell for Over $500K
Jun 11, 2022
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) checks the scoreboard during the fourth quarter of Game 4 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, Friday, June 10, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
A limited-edition Stephen Curry rookie
card, which features his autograph and a jersey patch, is up for
auction and has bids already surpassing $400,000.
The card—a 2009 National Treasures
numbered 93 out of 99—is available for bidding through the PWCC Marketplace. It received an overall gem-mint 9.5 grade from Beckett grading services, and the signature earned a perfect 10.
A top bid of $420,000 had been
placed as of Saturday morning, and TMZ Sports reported it's expected
to fetch over $500,000 when the auction ends Thursday.
Here's a look at a portion of the item
description for the prized rookie patch autograph (RPA) card:
The single greatest investment
collectors can make in a modern NBA player is their RPA. Given the
reputation of National Treasures, this multicolor patch and deeply
struck auto, and Steph's sterling reputation on and off the court,
this card presents an exciting opportunity to own a premier card of
one of the NBA's active legends.
It's the perfect time for a Curry
auction as his Golden State Warriors are playing in the 2022 NBA
Finals against the Boston Celtics, creating a lot of interest in
the future Hall of Famer.
The three-time NBA champion produced
another memorable performance Friday night in Game 4, scoring 43
points in 41 minutes to lead the Warriors to a critical 107-97 win to
level the series 2-2.
"The heart on that man is
incredible," longtime teammate Klay Thompson told reporters. "The
things he does, we kind of take for granted at times, to go out there
and put us on his back."
Draymond Green added: "He wasn't
letting us lose. That's all it boils down to. I could tell in his
demeanor, last couple of days, even after Game 3 that he was going to
come out with that kind of fire."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJ3QRiMhdF4?
Curry is on pace to go down as one of
the three most decorated players of his generation alongside LeBron
James and Giannis Antetokounmpo, and he'll be remembered for helping
transform the NBA thanks to his generational shooting
ability.
That should ensure his most coveted
cards have longstanding collector value.
Should Stephen Curry Be the 2022 NBA Finals MVP Even If the Warriors Lose?
Jun 11, 2022
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 10: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates during Game Four of the 2022 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics on June 10, 2022 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
Stephen Curry never needed to win the 2022 NBA Finals MVP. Not for his legacy, not to prove his transcendence independent of Kevin Durant, not even to placate or silence the talking heads and engagement soldiers who insisted, or at least contemplated, that he did.
And yet, while he may not need it, he's on track to win it anyway.
Perhaps no matter what.
Guaranteeing a Finals MVP for Steph at this stage goes a smidge too far. The series is tied at two games apiece after the Golden State Warriors' 107-97 victory over the Boston Celtics on Friday night. Nearly half the NBA Finals could be left to play if these two teams deliver a Game 7 this championship bout so clearly deserves. That's plenty of time for alternative candidates to seize the reins, for other narratives to form.
Dancing around a declaration in Curry's favor, though, is well within reason—and not at all an overreaction to his Game 4 masterpiece.
Sure, his latest detonation is part of the bigger picture. He pumped in 43 points, his second-most in a Finals game, on just 26 shots, all while playing through an injured left foot and ankle. This was an all-time performance, from an all-time player, both anecdotally:
Asked where he'd put tonight's performance on the list of great Stephen Curry Finals performances, Klay Thompson said, "I think probably No. 1. This was nearly a must-win game. …. Steph played incredible."
Warriors guard Stephen Curry is the fifth guard with 40 points and 10 rebounds in a Finals game, joining Dwyane Wade, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Jerry West @ESPNStatsInfopic.twitter.com/tjKAwKcZiT
For as singular as this eruption seems, however, it is merely an extension of Steph's entire 2022 Finals portfolio—the absolute zenith of it, to be sure, but still closer to his default.
Through four games, Curry is averaging 34.3 points on a sweltering 66.4 true shooting, including a somehow-not-a-typo 49.1 percent clip amid mega-high volume from three. This is not just him going kaboom yet again. This is a coupling of scoring volume and efficiency the likes of which the NBA Finals has almost never seen:
players to total 125+ pts with a 65+ ts% through the first four games of the nba finals (via @stathead, since 1983):
Skeptics will point to how the Celtics have essentially invited Steph's explosions by spending so much time in drop coverage or without throwing extra bodies at him—a defensive design that has been widely panned but serves the purpose of repressing other elements of the Warriors offense, as Indy Cornrows' Caitlin Cooper so astutely observed.
But these shots Boston is surrendering still have to go in, and its approach to guarding Curry says more about the rest of Golden State than the two-time regular-season MVP himself.
More importantly, it would be inaccurate to claim Steph's production has come easily, let alone been gifted. Over 68.1 percent of his made field goals have gone unassisted (including 64 percent of his threes), a stark increase from his 56.6 percent share through the previous rounds (41.7 percent on threes), as well as his 52.3 percent mark during the regular season (42.8 percent on threes).
Curry has needed to ratchet up his shot creation even further in the fourth quarter, borne entirely out of necessity. That he's maintained will-the-mothership-ever-call-him-home efficiency amid this burden of self-dependence is unreal. And with each passing hang-it-in-the-Louvre display, the Warriors come to rely on Steph's individualism when it matters most even more, while the Celtics are invited, if not outright forced, to overreact.
Just as Golden State has increasingly abandoned any pretense that anyone else will finish its half-court possessions, Boston showed a willingness to deviate from the script more often in the final frame of Game 4. The Celtics threw more bodies at Steph, an adjustment that opened up previously unavailable decision-making opportunities for the Warriors at large.
also amazing how other things instantly open up when the celtics don’t drop https://t.co/SAkXgrPEHQ
This, in many ways, encapsulates the dilemma that is Stephen Curry. He is so utterly unsolvable that he doesn't coax teams into impromptu, perhaps unsettling, change and adaptation so much as he incites panic and total overhaul, planned or otherwise.
The very idea of Steph is in itself among the NBA's most effective offensive weapons. Teams are so preoccupied tracking his whereabouts—and relentless motion—away from the ball that it consumes, then bends, then ultimately breaks their defense.
It is a magnetic pull unlike any other, ever, and it will never unfold in vain.
This series only reinforces the overarching value Steph injects on his own. The Warriors' offensive rating plummets by 25.9 points per 100 possessions without him on the floor, a nuclear swing that not just leads Golden State but is the largest of the series among every player who's logged at least five minutes.
There would be a certain futility in laying out this case if Golden State was assured of winning this series. It's not. The inconsistent play of Steph's supporting cast, most notably Draymond Green, leaves the team very much in the lurch. Boston feels deeper, and at times more top-heavy, and is without question more athletic. The Warriors fumbled a monumental opportunity in Game 1, suggesting they're at the mercy of themselves, yet their absolute offensive dependence on one player makes it seem like they're the ones operating on borrowed time.
one team is the better team and the other team has the best player in the series
All of which begs the question: In the very possible event Golden State loses, is Steph still the Finals MVP?
The answer will be a matter of course. Again: There's a ton of basketball left to play. But the hypothetical feat is a gargantuan ask.
Jerry West remains the only player to be awarded the Finals MVP as a member of the losing team, a distinction he earned all the way back in 1969. Giving the Bill Russell Trophy to someone not also being crowned a champion has a stigma attached to it. LeBron James is the most recent player to flirt with the prospect, in 2015, and voters seemingly traveled great lengths not to give it to him by awarding it instead to Andre Iguodala. (Steph should've received that one, but I digress...)
Winning Finals MVP while on the losing team is hard enough when you're very clearly the best player in the series. It's infinitely more difficult when the winning side offers viable alternatives.
Jaylen Brown has leveled up his offensive aggression, both as a scorer (22.3 points) and playmaker (3.8 assists) while capably guarding Klay Thompson and Green.
Jayson Tatum cannot hit a two to save his life and is too often forcing the action inside the arc. But his playmaking in response to the Warriors' over-helping has been instrumental for most of the series. Al Horford, Marcus Smart and even Robert Williams III could all garner 11th-hour consideration depending on how the rest of the Finals go.
Tack on Steph's "struggles" in the fourth quarter prior to Game 4, and this race, much like the series, is very much up in the air. There's enough time left for seemingly anything to happen.
So far, though, Steph's offensive dominance amid the Warriors' avalanche of inconsistency stands out the most. Buoying his chances thanks to a more erratic supporting cast might seem imperfect. Why potentially penalize a championship team for having a more bankable supporting cast?
That's not the point. There can be multiple deserving candidates. There can even be more than one right answer.
But at its core, Finals MVP is an individual honor. And Steph's dominance, to date, is as singular as it gets—a lifeline performance worthy of Finals MVP, regardless of how the series ends.
Dan Favale covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter (@danfavale), and listen to his Hardwood Knocks podcast, co-hosted by NBA Math's Adam Fromal.
Steph Curry Talks Draymond Green's 'Championship Grit' After Warriors' Game 4 Win
Jun 11, 2022
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 10: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates during Game Four of the 2022 NBA Finals on June 10, 2022 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. GarrabrantNBAE via Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry dropped 43 points in his team's 107-97 road win over the Boston Celtics in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday.
He's been carrying the team offensively with other teammates struggling, including Draymond Green, who's had just 4.3 PPG in the NBA Finals (four total in the last two games).
However, Green made some big plays down the stretch Friday, and Curry gave praise to his teammate in a postgame interview with Lisa Salters (1:50 mark).
"Championship grit," Curry said when asked about Green bouncing back late from a bad first half and sitting through some fourth-quarter stretches.
"He knows he can still play better. But to turn the page, get rid of that first half and make winning plays—just show his presence and determination. We do this together. There’s no doubt about it. It’s not an individual thing, and it’s not just the stat sheet."
Green assisted on a Curry three that gave the Dubs a 100-94 lead, but Celtics center Al Horford hit a three in response.
Klay Thompson missed a three on the other end, but Green grabbed the offensive rebound and dished it to Kevon Looney for a layup to kick-start a 7-0 game-closing run.
The Looney shot may have been the biggest bucket of the game, as it put the Warriors up two possessions and prevented Boston from getting a chance to tie the matchup. That bucket doesn't happen without Green.
Now Curry, Green and the Warriors will look to take a 3-2 series lead when they host Boston for Game 5 on Monday at 9 p.m. ET.
