SAN FRANCISCO — Stephen Curry is filled with frustration. Cook until boiling to the surface. Until he let out a roar. Until he tore the jersey from the collar to No. 30.
In 43 minutes of playing time, he scored 46 points on 35 shots and made only 3 free throws. He hit the game-tying layup at the end of regulation. In the final minute of overtime in Game 1, he forced a turnover and then hit a stunning corner 3 to set up Klay Thompson for the game-tying 3-pointer that kept the Warriors from relegation. Then in the second overtime, Curry hit a 26-foot shot from the top with 4.7 seconds left to give the Warriors a one-point lead.
As he backed away, he left his follow-up in the air. The expense was too much to allow for a more elaborate celebration. The NBA’s key scoring leader scored another 19 points in the double-overtime game, including 10 in the second overtime. Most nights, that’s enough.
Mom, that man is here⚡️ pic.twitter.com/KsIABjnkfV
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) January 28, 2024
But the other team was a great pairing for Curry. His most determined and courageous enemy. LeBron James. Over the years, they exchanged heartbreaks and hugs. The Lakers led by James eliminated the Warriors led by Curry in the playoffs last year, and Curry was even more heartbroken.
The 39-year-old James dribbled past a rookie nearly half his age, outran another young, agile athlete and launched a power play at the rim. He drew a foul and hit two free throws to help the Lakers win 145-144, capping off his stellar night. James, who had 36 points, 20 rebounds and 12 assists in nearly 48 minutes, was accused of falsifying his birth certificate.
They’re not winning like they used to, and both will need to pull out all the stops to stay in the game, with both looking to find that clutch help to get themselves back into contention. But Saturday’s performance showed that Curry and LeBron are still charming. It’s been a decade since LeBron’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer against the Warriors at Oracle Arena in Oakland debuted the “Silent” celebration and made the duo a must-see drama. All these years later, it’s still the best theater in the NBA when they share a court.
James said in an on-court interview: “You really appreciate it when you finish playing a game and be able to watch it with your grandkids and say I played against one of the best players to ever play. This game. After the game, Stephen came to me and said, ‘How do things keep getting better? How do we keep getting better? I think that’s just a true testament to the amount of work we put into the game and the dedication to the game, and the game. We will continue to give back to you.”
James and D’Angelo Russell ensured another close game slipped away from the Warriors. But this time, it wasn’t that the Warriors didn’t do anything. This loss wasn’t due to a head-scratching turnover, like the heart-wrenching loss to Sacramento two days earlier. Or a questionable coaching decision. Or because they fell apart under the onslaught. Even because of missed shots.
Still, one of their best efforts was a near-win. comfortable. The Warriors are now 15-13 in key games with Curry on the floor (0-4 without him). They’re five games below .500 but still outside the playoff picture. They can play as well as anyone but don’t win as often as better teams.
“Our whole season,” Curry said, “we’ve been through some tough times, some self-inflicted injuries. There are games where you obviously should win, but you walk off the court disappointed. … We fought every step of the way. Even when things didn’t go our way. , we still held on, and it gave ourselves a chance. In the regular season, there were three or four games that went down to the last possession, and they were all overtime. It just shows that we really want it. We Playing with a bit of desperation to try and change the tide of our season but have nothing to show for it right now.”
LeBron James and Stephen Curry combined for 82 points on 60 shots and had plenty of highlights in Saturday’s thrilling double-overtime game in San Francisco. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
But their peaks are still high enough to be intoxicating. Saturday is their best gallery.
Curry obviously. Draymond Green is the difference-maker he’s always been on both ends of the floor, and his combustible will kept the Warriors on fire tonight, often on fire. After a brutal first half, Thompson came out strong in the second half. His defense against LeBron, his shooting, his competitive spirit. Jonathan Kuminga is ready and impactful. He had 22 points and nine rebounds in 43 minutes, showing he can play at this level. He should even play a bigger role in the offense.
Head coach Steve Kerr is sure the game is coming. His Warriors are ready to break through. They have one more game at home, against Philadelphia, before embarking on a road trip in which all three teams have lost.
This was only possible if the Warriors’ determination was stronger than the fabric of their jerseys.
“Our guys are great, they’re great,” Kerr said. “The way they fought and competed and stayed in the game. So many plays. Just felt like we should have won that game the way they fought. A lot of plays could have gone either way. It felt like it was A game we should win. As long as we continue to play the way we played tonight, I think we can turn it around and have a great season. I really believe that.”
The Lakers are in the same situation, although they are closer to where they want to be than the Warriors thanks to a more stable elite version of James and Anthony Davis. Their best work also looks worthy. The Warriors seem to be taking advantage of that.
But being able to perform at your best in a game, in a moment, is not their problem. This is sustainability. What they lack is the consistency and versatility that makes them great. They can’t seem to do it every night. They can’t seem to summon it in many ways.
Lakers and Warriors.
Saturday’s game showcased the greatness of both teams. Prime time games. One of the very important players for both mid-table teams. Hall of Famers can be seen all over the floor. Appreciation of the stage, the moment, and still being on it.
They delivered a thriller. They live up to their name. Curry took matters into his own hands many times and performed like a superstar. But tonight, LeBron James finally got the ball.
So Corey left the court frustrated. His jersey is in his own hands.
“It actually makes it worse,” Corey said. “Whether it’s goals, turnovers or whatever, we have energy. So the good news is if we can keep doing that, you think you can build momentum and that’s our hope. But it’s just a tough game. … Back-to-back home games, you play well enough to win, but you just can’t finish the game.”
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(LeBron James and Stephen Curry pictured above after Saturday’s game: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
