The Golden State Warriors have turned nearly every game of their charmed season into a party full of paradigm-shifting three-pointers and league-crushing blowout wins.
Yet Monday’s home game against the New Orleans Pelicans offered another occasion for festivities — the 28th birthday of presumptive back-to-back MVP Stephen Curry. The league’s most dominant player dances all over opponents pretty much every time he takes the court, but he could be forgiven for thinking this night to be extra special.
He and his teammates did not disappoint, riding a 35-19 third quarter to a dominant 125-107 win that allowed the birthday boy to rest the entire final period.
The Warriors improved their record to 60-6 to reach a few milestones, including the ninth back-to-back 60-win seasons in NBA history. Steve Kerr also became the first head coach to win 60 games in each of his first two seasons, although one-time interim head coach Luke Walton may want credit for the first 39 this season.
As ever, it was Curry and fellow Splash Brother Klay Thompson who dominated the proceedings. The fun started near the end of the the first quarter when Curry nailed the duo’s 526th three-pointer of the season, a new record for two teammates in a single campaign. He and Thompson made five more threes on the night (and 6-of-13 overall).
They were relatively quiet until the third, though, when Curry helped to overwhelm the Pelicans in a manner seasoned Warriors watchers are now accustomed to.
Golden State held New Orleans to just 10 points through the first 9:30 of the period and saw virtually every player get hot. Curry was obviously one of them, and he made the highlight reel with a rapid-fire shot off a nifty pass from Leandro Barbosa and a gift (get it?!) banked-in three in the closing seconds.
For those keeping track, Bogut is now 2-of-2 on threes as a Warrior. He’s not a Splash Brother, but he’s at least the friend who hangs out at their house often enough to get a free meal every year or two.
It was Curry’s night, though, and he took full advantage. His team-high 27 points matched his highest point total in four career birthday games, including a 25-point showing against the New York Knicks last season. It was apparently a lot of fun, because Curry gave out party favors to some lucky fans with the result well in hand.
The Warriors will go for their 61st win on Wednesday when they welcome the Knicks to Oracle Arena. Maybe we’ll find out if Steph is one of those people who parties his entire birthday week, not just the one day.
Credit: CNN.COM/SPORT
Warriors celebrate Curry"s birthday with another historic blowout
