Stephen Curry continues to rewrite the NBA record books, and his latest performance has helped the Golden State Warriors extend their winning streak to seven games.
The 38-year-old superstar dropped 41 points in Golden State’s 126-119 overtime victory over the Orlando Magic on Saturday night, including 17 points in the final seven minutes of action.
It was Curry’s 16th 40-point performance since turning 35, moving him past LeBron James (15) and Michael Jordan (12) for the most in NBA history, according to ESPN’s Anthony Slater.
The four-time NBA champion reflected on his latest achievement following the victory.
“It makes me super proud of the work that’s gone in, especially with some injuries and all that,” Curry said. “But just the idea I could still get to a certain level, you kind of feed off of that. Especially when it’s in a winning fashion like tonight, where we needed all of them. I appreciate the longevity.”
Golden State needed another big performance from Curry after Orlando overturned a 16-point first-half deficit to take a six-point lead in the fourth quarter.
Curry responded with 12 points in the final 2:21 of regulation, including a difficult running shot with 25 seconds remaining that briefly put the Warriors ahead.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was full of praise for his superstar.
“That was an impossible shot,” Kerr said. “So much traffic. That was a 12-foot sort of running float, hook, whatever you call it. To put that off the glass, he’s one of one. I don’t know if anyone else in the world can make that shot.”
After Orlando forced overtime, rookie Yaxel Lendeborg and Charles Bassey helped Golden State establish control before Curry returned to close out the victory.
Lendeborg finished with 23 points, while Curry recorded his 77th career 40-point game.
Kerr also credited Curry’s preparation for his remarkable longevity.
“Work ethic,” Kerr said. “Good genes. He’s been blessed with a body that’s held up. But he’s earned that through his strength training, conditioning and fitness level.”
The Warriors have now won seven consecutive games after opening the season 0-3, becoming just the second team in NBA history to achieve that turnaround, joining the 1950-51 Boston Celtics.
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