Stephen Curry turned back the clock with a breathtaking 52-point performance, including an incredible 12 three-pointers, as the Golden State Warriors soared to a crucial 134-125 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night. The win at Memphis’s FedExForum saw the Warriors leapfrog the Grizzlies into fifth place in the tightly contested Western Conference standings.
The 37-year-old Curry was unstoppable from beyond the arc, consistently finding the net and leaving Grizzlies defenders grasping at air. His dazzling display was his second 50-point game of the season and the 15th of his illustrious career. He was ably supported by Draymond Green, who recorded a valuable triple-double, and Jimmy Butler, who chipped in with 27 points.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr was full of admiration for his star player. “The guy’s 37 years old, it’s incredible,” Kerr marveled. “Fifty-two points with people draped all over him all game long. The conditioning, the skill, the audacity, the belief, it’s incredible to watch Steph at work.”
Even Grizzlies interim coach Tuomas Iisalo, stepping in after the recent dismissal of Taylor Jenkins, couldn’t help but acknowledge Curry’s brilliance. “It’s a sight to behold how he operates,” Iisalo admitted, highlighting a first-quarter onslaught where Curry poured in 19 points. “In the first quarter we had a specific strategy that we do not want him to get three-point shots – and he found a way to get going anyway.”
Despite trailing by as many as 17 points in the first quarter, Memphis showed resilience in the second half, even taking a brief four-point lead with less than four minutes remaining. However, they couldn’t sustain their momentum against the Warriors’ firepower. Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 36 points, while Jaren Jackson Jr. contributed 22.
“Everybody’s hurting in that locker room right now,” Iisalo said after the narrow defeat. “It really hurts when you put everything on the line and you come up a little short.”
Timberwolves Snatch Dramatic Overtime Victory Against Jokic’s 61-Point Triple-Double
Meanwhile, in Denver, a captivating encounter unfolded as the Minnesota Timberwolves pulled off a dramatic 140-139 double-overtime victory against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. Jokic delivered a sensational performance, recording his 31st triple-double of the season with an astounding 61 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Despite Jokic’s heroics, the Timberwolves refused to back down. The game reached a thrilling climax in the dying seconds of the second overtime period. With the Nuggets leading 139-138, a missed layup by the Timberwolves’ Russell Westbrook with nine seconds left seemed to seal Denver’s win. However, Nickeil Alexander-Walker grabbed the rebound and drew a foul from Westbrook on a buzzer-beating three-point attempt. Alexander-Walker calmly sank two of the three free throws to secure a memorable victory for Minnesota. Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves’ scoring with 34 points.
Bucks End Losing Streak as Suns’ Struggles Continue
Elsewhere in the league, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 37 points to help the Milwaukee Bucks snap a four-game losing streak with a 133-123 win over the Phoenix Suns. Devin Booker poured in 39 points for Phoenix, but it wasn’t enough to prevent their fourth consecutive defeat, a slump that is jeopardizing their playoff aspirations.
Pacers Clinch Playoff Spot as Hawks Fall
In the Eastern Conference, the Indiana Pacers secured their place in the playoffs after the Atlanta Hawks suffered a 127-113 home loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. This result guarantees the Pacers, currently fourth in the East with a 44-31 record, a top-six finish and an automatic playoff berth.
The NBA regular season continues to heat up with the playoffs just around the corner, promising more thrilling encounters and dramatic finishes.
