Stephen Curry is confident that the Golden State Warriors are playing “at a championship level,” and his performance against the Denver Nuggets only added weight to his statement.
Following a dominant 118-104 victory on Friday night at Chase Center, Curry shared his thoughts on the Warriors’ recent stretch of play. “We’re playing like that,” Curry said when asked if the team was performing like a championship contender, via Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN. “We have a lot of work. I’ve been saying that since this run started. We still have a lot of work to do to finish the year strong.”
The Warriors, who have been on fire since acquiring Jimmy Butler, are now 21-5 since the trade. The victory over Denver marked their fifth consecutive win, pulling them to within a half-game of the Nuggets for the third seed in the Western Conference.
Curry was at his best once again, scoring 36 points while shooting 13 of 24 from the field, including 7 of 15 from three-point range. The star guard also tallied five assists and led the Warriors to a comfortable victory. Curry’s 19-point first half helped Golden State take a 66-60 lead, and he kept the momentum going in the second half.
A key moment in the game came midway through the third quarter, when Curry hit a step-back three-pointer to extend the Warriors’ lead to 15 points. His clutch three-point play late in the fourth quarter sealed the victory and solidified his status as one of the league’s most dangerous players.
Brandin Podziemski was also crucial in the win, adding 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. His efficient 10-of-16 shooting provided a well-rounded offensive effort alongside Curry. Jimmy Butler, continuing his impact since joining the team, chipped in 19 points, five assists, and five steals. Butler’s performance has been a major factor in the Warriors’ surge post-trade deadline.
The Warriors’ defensive efforts played a pivotal role in the win. Golden State forced the Nuggets into 25 turnovers, which resulted in 24 points. The Warriors’ defense stifled Denver’s offense, limiting them to just 16 points in the second quarter and outscoring them 30-24 in the third. The Warriors shot 48.9% from the field and nailed 16 of 38 three-pointers (42.1%).
Despite a stellar 33-point, 12-rebound, and 9-assist performance from Nikola Jokić, the Nuggets could not recover from their turnovers and poor second-quarter play. Michael Porter Jr. added 23 points and 9 rebounds, while Aaron Gordon chipped in 15 points and 8 assists. However, the absence of Jamal Murray due to a hamstring injury continued to hurt Denver’s chances.
This loss snapped Denver’s eight-game winning streak against the Warriors and dropped them to fourth place in the West. With just four games left in the regular season, Golden State is now positioned to potentially overtake the Nuggets for home-court advantage in a first-round playoff series.
For Curry, this game is another example of the Warriors playing “championship basketball.” His recent performances have been nothing short of spectacular. Over his last three games, Curry has averaged 44.5 points per game, including a 52-point outburst against Memphis and a 37-point showing against the Lakers earlier this week.
The Warriors’ championship aspirations are clear, and with a 46-31 record, they remain a dangerous team in the Western Conference. With their recent form and their stars playing at an elite level, Golden State is looking like a team that could make a serious run come playoff time.
