Say this concerning the first three nights of the 2025-26 NBA season: It completely sucks {that a} federal playing probe seemingly fell out of the sky to overshadow what has been one of the vital electrical begins to a season you would probably think about.
First the Rockets and Thunder go to double-overtime on Tuesday. Then the Pacers take the Thunder, once more, to double-overtime on Thursday. OKC, because of some unimaginable protection towards Houston and a career-high 55 factors from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at Indiana, escaped each with a win, and each occasions it was the Golden State Warriors ready on the again finish on of the nationwide TV schedule for 12 quarters of OKC basketball to complete.
On opening night time, the Warriors discarded the Lakers regardless of 43 factors from Luka Dončić. On Thursday, they backed that up with a 137-131 extra time victory over the Denver Nuggets, who have been led by Aaron Gordon‘s unbelievable 50-point efficiency.
Gordon, a profession 33% 3-point shooter who got here out of nowhere to shoot 44% final season, confirmed that it won’t have been an anomaly as he canned 10 of his 11 triples and 17 of 21 subject targets total. How on earth may the Nuggets have misplaced a recreation by which Gordon, Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray mixed for 96 factors?
I will inform you how. His identify is Stephen Curry.
When you’re searching for indicators that Curry has fallen off, even barely, in his seventeenth season at 37 years previous, you higher get out one hell of a high-powered microscope. The man went for 42 factors, 35 of which got here within the second half and extra time, with six 3-pointers, single-handedly lifting Golden State with 16 straight factors over a six-minute run spanning the tip of the fourth quarter and the beginning of extra time.
From the two:42 mark of the fourth quarter, Curry outscored the Nuggets, 18-15, all by himself. A number of occasions the Nuggets seemed like they have been about to place the sport on ice, and Curry simply would not let it occur. With underneath two minutes to play in regulation and the Warriors down three, he did this:
With 25 seconds left and the Warriors once more down three, he did this:
He began extra time with one other 3, and sealed the cope with a bucket and a pair of free throws within the closing 25 seconds of extra time to push the Warriors to 2-0 with the form of “what the hell did I simply watch?” efficiency that solely he can pull off.
What’s loopy is Curry solely had seven factors at halftime. Even at this superior stage of a profession that continues on an upward pattern towards one of many 5 finest in historical past, he can nonetheless go from zero to 100 quicker that any participant most likely ever. Nonetheless, at 37 years previous, it seems like he can get up from a nap and hit the nuclear button at any time when he desires. He tossed in seven assists, six rebounds and three steals for enjoyable.
Critically, Curry has not misplaced one mph on his fastball. If something, he is really higher now than ever. Perhaps not fairly as shifty, however nonetheless among the many shiftiest gamers alive along with his deal with and talent to leverage the specter of his shot into downhill benefits, the place he is as sturdy as he is ever been when it comes to ending by means of contact.
And the taking pictures? Clearly that is nonetheless there. As is his seemingly countless provide of vitality to remain on the transfer with a complete protection chasing him for so long as it takes to get a shot, and finally, a win. This man is out of this world. I do know I am not breaking any information with that assertion, however good grief. What an absolute deal with it’s to nonetheless be watching him do his this in any case these years, and in addition to know that he is removed from carried out.
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