Curry’s historic night leads him past Wilt Chamberlin for most points in franchise history

San Francisco – A spectacular night for Stephen Curry who scored 53 points and surpassed the all-time great Wilt Chamberlain for most points in franchise history.  The Golden State Warriors 116-107 win over the Denver Nuggets came behind a heroic night for Curry who wasted no time achieving this fete in the first quarter.    

Curry passed Chamberlain’s all-time leading scoring record in just twelve minutes.  He scored 21 points in 12 minutes to surpass one of the greatest players in sports history.  Chamberlain’s historic 17,783 points was the best the franchise had ever saw.  He held that record since March 16, 1964.

“He was going to get the game ball regardless,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said.  “You can feel it when he’s really got it going on and we could feel it pretty early tonight.  It was kind of surprising to see him break that record in the first quarter.  We all figured he’d find a way to get 19 points tonight, but maybe not in the first quarter.”

Curry’s 17,818 points is now the teams franchise best record.  His driving layup with 1:37 left in the first period gave him the new record.  Golden State’s franchise is 75 years old and tonight Curry made the history books again by becoming the all-time franchise leading scorer.  He finished the half with 30 points and went 6-for-9 form the arc.  

Despite Curry’s accolades, the Nuggets ended the half ahead 61-56.  The Warriors stayed close behind in the second but Denver kept their lead with Nikola Jokic dominating the paint.  The Nuggets outscored Golden State 54-36 in the paint but the MVP stayed hot behind the arc.  By the third quarter Curry had 18 points in the quarter.

“To be anywhere near him in any record book or now be on top, it’s surreal and it’s wild,” said Curry.  “If you grow up in the game of basketball and you hear his name, you know it’s something extremely special, no matter what it is.”

Draymond Green scored a season-high 18 points.  His previous high was 16 points done twice.  Green was more aggressive offensively tonight and was efficient on defense forcing two turnovers and 4 steals.  He finished the night with 7 rebounds and 7 assists. 

“Draymond’s such a smart player he knows when to shoot, when to pass and when to make the move,” said Kerr.  “Tonight he let the game happen.  He just played, he didn’t think and when he’s aggressive like that even if the shots don’t go in.  It’s important for him to be aggressive and to shoot, tonight it went in.”

Curry finished third period with 48 points and had 10 3s going 10-of-16. He recorded his 9th career game of 50+ points.  (third 50-point game this season).  Curry became the 7th player to record multiple seasons with three-or-more 50-point games (three 50-point outings in 2015-2016).  He also recorded his 18th career game of 10-or-more three-point baskets.  No other player in NBA history has more than five such games (Klay Thompson – 5 games of 10+ 3s). 

Former Warriors player and HOF, Chris Mullen had some kind words for Curry after the game.

“I want to say thank you for your humility, integrity, class and your grace on how you carry yourself on and off the court,” Mullen said.  “You’re just a true role model for young and old.  Congratulations and thank you for being you Steph Curry.”  

“You don’t know how much that means,” said Curry.  “I appreciate you for the acknowledgment.  Obviously when you get respect from people who have walked the same hallways and taken the same court and understand the ups and downs on what this league is about, that respect mean so much to me and my family.  I appreciate that and happy to represent those who have worn this uniform including those in the rafters.”

James Wiseman Injury UPDATE

The Warriors will be without rookie center James Wiseman who suffered a right meniscus tear to his knee during the second quarter of Saturday’s game against the Houston Rockets.  He is expected to miss the rest of the season but no official word has come for the team yet.  Prior to tonight’s game head coach Steve Kerr spoke on Wiseman.

“I don’t know that he’ll miss the rest of the season,” said Kerr before the game.  “We’re in the process of getting multiple opinions to determine what’s next.  We don’t have any timetable yet.  Biggest thing is making sure James is OK, he’s had a lot of adversity his rookie season with the wrist injury and now the knee injury and of course missing training camp and not having a summer league.  

I just feel terrible for James he was just starting to get a little rhythm offensively and starting to feel good picking up some momentum.  It’s really tough to see him go down.”

No decision has been made on Golden State making any moves to add another center.

“We are obviously very thin in the front court and that’s something we’ll be looking at once we get James prognosis,” Kerr said.  

The Warriors have fallen so far down the seeding that they’re now looking at the NBA’s Play-In Tournament that was established for one year during the 2020-21 season.  The Play-In Tournament will take place after the regular season and before the first round of the playoffs that will include teams with the 7th through 10th best record in each conference.  Teams will have to win two consecutive games to earn a playoff spot.  This tournament is scheduled for May 18th – 21st.

Minnesota’s killing of Daunte Wright has again sparked anger from the League

Minneapolis – Another senseless killing of a young black man has caused protests and riots in Minnesota over the weekend.  Just 10 miles from the George Floyd trial where former disgraced cop, Derek Chauvin is on trail.  Daunte Wright only 20 years old was shot and killed after an officer mistakenly pulled out his gun instead of his taser.

The excuses are becoming ridiculous.  The officer supposedly yelled “Taser” but fired his gun during what was supposed to be a traffic stop in Brooklyn Center, a suburb in Minneapolis.  Wright died on the scene as cops were trying to take him into custody on outstanding warrants.  

“No conversations on postponing our game tonight,” said Warriors head coach Steve Kerr.  “I heard the news after shootaround, not surprised both the Twins and Timberwolves postponed their games today.  My reaction is just another sad day in America and another school shooting in Tennessee as well.  It’s just devastating that these things seem to happen on a daily basis, thinking about the victims and their families.  Hoping they can find some peace.  It’s just a terrible thing.

“I understand the Brooklyn Nets and T-Wolves have postponed their game,” Denver Nuggets head coach Mike Malone said.  “I think it’s a great decision, just another example of a tragic loss of life that didn’t need to happen.  So, I can speak for myself, my coaching staff and players hoping for peace and no more loss of life out of Minnesota.

So much going on right now with the George Floyd trial going on, but our hearts thoughts and prayers are with everyone out there.  But on a much bigger scope we have to find a way for this to stop happening, another tragic example of a black man getting killed for no reason.”