Warriors star Curry named NBA Clutch Player of the Year

LOS ANGELES, United States - Four-time NBA champion Stephen Curry was named the NBA's Clutch Player of the Year on Thursday in recognition of his performance in tight, late-game situations.

Curry led the league in points scored in clutch time -- defined as games within five points with less than five minutes to play -- with 189.

He shot an average of 49.6% from the field -- including 45.7% from three-point range -- in clutch situations, both above his season averages.

Curry's late-game heroics included a pair of game-winning shots, one a 33-footer to beat the Phoenix Suns on February 10 and another a layup at the buzzer to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in the In-Season Tournament.

"You've got to be able to fail," Curry told broadcaster TNT during the televised announcement of the award.

"I don't know if anything clicked other than just knowing how much time you put into the game and with that time comes deserved confidence of 'OK, I'm ready for whatever moment.'"

Curry is just the second recipient of the award. Sacramento's De'Aaron Fox won the inaugural title last season.

He was one of three finalists, along with Chicago's DeMar DeRozan and Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Gilgeous-Alexander is also a finalist for Most Valuable Player.

Curry's clutch prowess isn't getting a test in the playoffs. The Warriors finished 10th in the Western Conference and were eliminated by the Sacramento Kings in the play-in tournament.

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NBA: Curry hits 50 as Warriors advance, Butler hurt in Heat win

NEW YORK  -- Stephen Curry scored 50 points in a record-shattering performance Sunday to send the defending champion Golden State Warriors into the second round of the NBA playoffs while a Jimmy Butler ankle injury raised tensions for the triumphant Miami Heat.

Curry, a four-time NBA champion and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, was nearly unstoppable as the Warriors won 120-100 at Sacramento to capture their best-of-seven Western Conference series 4-3.

"I just wanted to come out and look for shots early, get my teammates going throughout the game," Curry said. "But when I'm looking for shots, it usually works in our favor."

The 35-year-old guard delivered an incredible performance, hitting 20 of a career-high 38 shot attempts and going 7-of-18 from 3-point range and 3-of-5 from the free throw line.

"It was about being aggressive," Curry said. "I got 38 shots for a reason. We started to see where the holes were and I could be ultra aggressive and it worked."

Curry also added eight rebounds and six assists.

"Steph was elite. He put these guys on his back and said, 'We're not losing,'" Kings coach Mike Brown said. "Give Steph a ton of credit for doing exactly what he's supposed to do. Heck of a performance."

Curry's 50 points were a career playoff high and the most points in any NBA game seven -- breaking the old mark of 48 set by Kevin Durant for Brooklyn in a 2021 loss to Milwaukee.

"What an incredible all-time performance," Curry's backcourt teammate Klay Thompson said. "This is a game seven I'll forever remember as the Steph Curry game."

The Warriors next face LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in a Western Conference semi-final matchup starting on Tuesday. Golden State faced a James-led Cleveland in four straight NBA Finals, winning three of them.

"It's special from the first series we played him in Cleveland," Curry said. "We're blessed to be playing at this level still and excited about a new chapter."

In Sunday's other playoff contest, Butler scored 25 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Miami over the host New York Knicks 108-101 in their Eastern Conference second-round opener but suffered a right ankle injury.

The series continues Tuesday at New York but Butler's status will steal the spotlight until then.

"No idea," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "You just don't know with ankle sprains. I don't even know if we will know more by tomorrow. We'll just have to wait and see. It will be a waiting game."

Asked how the ankle felt, Butler said, "Like a rolled ankle."

At Sacramento, the Kings had no answer for Curry in the winner-take-all battle. After 20 first-half points, he pressed the attack in the third quarter as the Warriors pulled away along with Kevon Looney, who grabbed 21 rebounds.

"It's huge for us," Curry said. "In each series he makes an impact. It's not loud. It's all the dirty work and we love him for it."

Thompson completed a four-point play with 1.4 seconds remaining in the third quarter to give Golden State a 91-81 edge entering the fourth. The Warriors stretched the lead to 104-83 with 6:30 remaining and cruised from there.

Domantas Sabonis led the Kings with 22 points but had only six in the second half.

- Heat sizzle late -

There was an intense atmosphere at Madison Square Garden, which had not seen a second-round playoff contest since 2013.

The game and Butler's ankle turned when Butler fell to the court with the Heat up 95-92 and 5:05 to play.

As Butler planted his right foot to drive to the basket, falling Knicks defender Josh Hart's foot struck Butler's foot. Butler limped to the bench but returned to make two free throws and remained in the game.

"He did not want to come out of the game so we left him in," Spoelstra said.

Often standing in a corner far from the run of play, Butler was largely stationary.

"Find a way to win," Butler said of his reason for staying on the court. "Be out there. Be a presence. I didn't do too much except airball a three. But I'll take the dub (W)."

Butler's teammates stepped up. Gabe Vincent made a 3-pointer and Bam Adebayo and reserve Kyle Lowry, who scored 12 of his 18 in the second half, added hoops in a pivotal 7-0 run for a 104-94 Miami edge.

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NBA: Curry scores 39 to lead Warriors rally over Pelicans

LOS ANGELES -- Golden State erased a 20-point deficit to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 120-109 on Tuesday, with Stephen Curry scoring 39 points as the Warriors edged ahead of Minnesota into sixth place in the Western Conference.

Curry drained five of his eight three-pointers in the second half as the reigning NBA champion Warriors came alive, surging past the Pelicans to win a sometimes sloppy, often scrappy contest and boost their chances of avoiding the play-in tournament for teams placed seventh through 10th in each conference.

Golden State star Draymond Green and New Orleans' Brandon Ingram received double technical fouls with 3:45 left in the second quarter after they exchanged words in the wake of Green's foul on the Pelicans player -- which was upgraded to a flagrant.

Green's collision with Herbert Jones sparked some more shoving, and with 14 turnovers in the testy first half, the Warriors were down 17 at the break.

They opened the third quarter on an 8-0 scoring run and had cut the deficit to four points going into the fourth.

"We started playing with some heart and intensity," Green said of the difference in the second half.

Jordan Poole's reverse layup early in the fourth gave the Warriors their first lead since the first quarter, 95-94, and they didn't trail again.

Poole scored 13 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter, and Klay Thompson added 17 for the Warriors.

Ingram led the Pelicans with 26 points and Trey Murphy added 21, but New Orleans coach Willie Green said his team's lackluster start to the third quarter was fatal.

"We started, I believe it was eight-zip," he said. "Two turnovers. You can't give this team any life. Once they get going, once this building gets going, it's tough to stop them."

- Wizards shock Celtics -

Elsewhere, the Boston Celtics' chances of overtaking the Milwaukee Bucks for the top seed in the East took a hit with an ugly 130-111 loss to the lowly Washington Wizards.

Perhaps caught looking ahead to a Thursday clash with the Bucks, the Celtics were lackadaisical on defense, unable to stop a Wizards team missing two key players in Bradley Beal and Kyle Kuzma.

Kristaps Porzingis scored 32 points for the Wizards and Deni Avdija added 25.

Jayson Tatum returned from a one-game absence to lead the Celtics with 28 points. Marcus Smart had four three-pointers in the first half, but overall, Boston connected on just 11 of 44 from three-point range.

They trailed by 13 at halftime and by as many as 23 in the second half.

"It was just one of those nights," Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. "Very rarely has that happened to our team. Just one of those off nights."

The Toronto Raptors outscored the Miami Heat 62-36 in the paint in a 106-92 victory.

Pascal Siakam scored 26 points and Scottie Barnes added 22 along with a career-high 12 assists for the Raptors -- as the Heat failed to gain ground in their bid to avoid the play-in round.

With Jimmy Butler sidelined by a sore neck, the Heat dropped a second straight game.

Tyler Herro scored 33 points and Bam Adebayo added 21 points and 12 rebounds for Miami, who cut the deficit to 10 with less than four minutes to play only for their charge to stall.

Dejounte Murray starred late as the Atlanta Hawks edged the playoff-bound Cleveland Cavaliers 120-118.

Murray made three free throws to put the Hawks up 115-113 with 2:14 remaining, then came up with a steal and a basket that pushed the lead to four in the final minute.

He finished with 29 points to lead the Hawks, who remained tied with Toronto for the eighth-best record in the East.

Atlanta withstood a 44-point effort from Donovan Mitchell, who tied LeBron James's Cavaliers franchise record of 10 games of 40 or more points in a season.

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NBA: Steph Curry saves Warriors against Sacramento

LOS ANGELES — Golden State ended their five-game losing streak but only after a brilliant fourth-quarter performance from Stephen Curry against Sacramento.

Curry scored 17 of his 47 points in the final frame as the Warriors outscored the Kings 37-25 to sneak a 116-113 win.

"Whatever it takes to get a win at this point," Curry said. 

"There was a sense of desperation coming off that road trip struggling like we did... we still can show that championship kind of grit and competitiveness to pull out a game like that.

"We know how to do it -- I just needed to light the fire a little bit."

In Philadelphia, Joel Embiid drained a perfect 16-of-16 from the free throw line in a 33-point display as the 76ers outgunned the Phoenix Suns 100-88.

Embiid's shooting accuracy was backed with a red-hot contribution off the bench from Georges Niang, who sank seven three-pointers in a 21-point contribution. Tobias Harris also scored 21 points for the Sixers.

Devin Booker led the Phoenix scoring with 28 points, while veteran playmaker Chris Paul hobbled off with a sore right heel. The Suns said Paul was removed from the game as a precaution.

Embiid was satisfied with his free throw accuracy as he returned after a three-game absence due to illness.

"If they're going to keep fouling me I have to make my free throws," Embiid said. 

He said the Sixers (5-6) would overcome the injury absence of James Harden in daunting upcoming games against Atlanta and Milwaukee.

"We're going to miss him but it's next man up," Embiid said. "I've got to dominate offensively and defensively like tonight."

In Memphis, Jayson Tatum's 39-point display carried the Boston Celtics to a 109-106 victory over the Grizzlies.

Ja Morant scored 30 points for Memphis, including five three-pointers, but Tatum's dynamic performance sealed a battling win for the Celtics. 

Jaylen Brown added 21 points for Boston, with Al Horford and Marcus Smart scoring 15 apiece.

In Miami, Josh Hart drained a three-pointer on the buzzer as the Portland Trail Blazers snatched a 110-107 win against the Heat.

Miami looked to have done enough to force overtime after Max Strus's three-pointer with 6.2 seconds remaining tied it up.

But Damian Lillard launched one last drive up the court and found Hart, who unleashed his winning bucket as time expired.

Anfernee Simons led Portland's scorers with 25 points, while Jerami Grant added 23 and Lillard 19. Hart finished with 12.

"It was a good play by Dame (Lillard), he made an unselfish pass and I was able to knock it down," Hart said afterwards.

"Dame's a hell of a person and a hell of a player -- he trusts everyone who's wearing a Blazers jersey." 

In Dallas, Luka Doncic maintained his incredible scoring streak as the Mavericks edged past Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets 96-94.

Doncic scored 36 points in the win -- his ninth straight 30-point game since the season started last month. Kevin Durant led the Nets scoring with 26 points.

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Curry says teams 'reloading' to dethrone Warriors as NBA champs

TOKYO, Japan -- Stephen Curry said Thursday that NBA teams are "reloading" to dethrone the Golden State Warriors as champions, as they begin their pre-season preparations this weekend in Japan.

Sharp-shooter Curry is aiming for his fifth championship when the season gets underway next month, and he urged his Warriors teammates to "embrace" the target on their backs.

"It's very easy to stay motivated because you want to maintain this feeling for as long as you can," Curry said in Tokyo, where the Warriors will play the Washington Wizards in two pre-season games.

"We also know that defending a championship is the hardest thing to do in our sport. Not many teams are able to do it and every team is reloading to beat you, so we have to embrace that and try to keep getting better."

The Warriors beat the Boston Celtics in last season's NBA Finals to win the title for a seventh time.

Curry was named NBA Finals Most Valuable Player after a series of dazzling performances to capture one of the few accolades previously missing from his resume.

The 34-year-old said he had managed to get some rest after a "crazy busy summer" and is itching for the new season to get started.

"I'm looking to get into the routine of the season because that's kind of my happy place, to try to be the best basketball player I can be and get ready for this year," said Curry, a two-time regular-season MVP.

Friday's game at Saitama Super Arena, north of Tokyo, will mark the first time that NBA teams have played pre-season games overseas since the pandemic began.

The Wizards, who did not reach the playoffs last season, have Japanese star Rui Hachimura in their squad.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr warned that "nobody will play a tonne of minutes", but Curry promised to "put on a great show" for the Japanese fans.

"It's a special opportunity to embrace Japanese culture, the fans, to show appreciation for how the game of basketball, the NBA, has grown around the world," he said.

"Obviously it's really early in our journey this season, our first pre-season games, but we'll do our best to have fun with it, put on a great show and enjoy the atmosphere that will be in the arena."

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Thompson savors fourth NBA title after career-threatening injuries

BOSTON, United States - Klay Thompson didn't stint on the celebrations of his fourth NBA title, one that came in the wake of two devastating injuries that showed the Golden State star just how fragile and NBA career can be.

"Oh, man, I was feeling absolutely incredible," said Thompson, who danced with teammate Stephen Curry as the trophy was awarded in the wake of their game six victory over the Celtics in Boston.

"I was feeling just so high on life that I did not want to leave the stage, and I just know how hard this is, and to be here for a fourth time, like so grateful for my teammates."

Thompson's journey embodied the Warriors' unlikely return to the summit, after their NBA title runs in 2015, 2017 and 2018.

He returned from a 31-month injury absence in January, and his latest Finals run comes three years after he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in game six of the 2019 NBA Finals.

He was on his way back from that injury when, more than 17 months later, he tore his right Achilles tendon.

"The anguish that Klay has felt over the last three years ... people can guess as to what it is like, but we saw it up close," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.

"And, you know, between a second year-long injury and losing what he loves to do most in life, you know, playing the game, it's been a rough go for him."

But even though he didn't take the court until the season was almost half over, Thompson said he knew the Warriors could be title contenders again.

"I saw it in the beginning of season," he said. "People called me crazy. I said championship or bust, because I saw how we came out of the gate, 18-2. And playing just that Warriors brand of basketball that made us so successful, and then knowing I was going to be inserted in that, I knew we had a chance to do something special, and here we are."

Thompson said his 2019 injury "was easier to accept because I had never been hurt before and that five-year run took a lot out of us.

"But the second time it happened it was like, what the heck is going on, man. Just to stay with it, just calf raise after calf raise, after underwater treadmill, so many days, not even touching a ball.

"Then to go through this season with the ups and downs, and even these playoffs, I'm just at a loss for words at times.

"Because I knew this was possible but to be here in real time, man, I don't want to leave. I want to enjoy every second of this. I know how fleeting it can be."

Agence France-Presse

NBA: Curry genius echoes Federer, says Warriors coach

SAN FRANCISCO -- Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr says Stephen Curry's approach to basketball reminds him of tennis great Roger Federer.

Curry wrote another gilded chapter to his glittering career on Friday, delivering a breathtaking 43-point display to haul the Warriors back into NBA Finals contention with a series-leveling victory over the Boston Celtics.

It was the sort of iconic performance that will go down in NBA history, a dazzling reminder of why Curry is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.

For Kerr, Curry's latest masterpiece brought back memories of an encounter between the Warriors and 20-time grand slam champion Federer in Shanghai five years ago.

"We actually met Federer a few years ago in China when we played in Shanghai. He came and spoke to our locker room, and Draymond (Green) asked him, he said, 'How have you been doing this for 20 years?'," Kerr recalled on Sunday.

"And his answer was just simple, yet profound. He said, 'I love my daily ritual.' He said, 'I get up, make my kids breakfast, drop them off at school, go train and I've figured out the right training methods to keep me in the best position at my age. I love competing.' He said, 'But every single day, I put my head on the pillow at the end of the day and think, man, what a great day.'

"So I think of Steph a lot when I think of that story from Roger Federer. Very, very similar just sort of zest for life and just joy for the process."

Curry, 34, will be back on home court for game five on Monday, attempting to help Golden State grab a 3-2 advantage in the best-of-seven series.

- 'Like a metronome' -

Curry's performances so far in the series have left him as Golden State's front-runner for the NBA Finals MVP award, an accolade which would fill one of the few holes on his CV. 

While Curry's remarkable fitness has enabled him to peak during the finals, Kerr is not surprised that the veteran is in prime physical condition. 

"His routine, it's like a metronome. Every day, it's the exact same thing. He's in the training room, he's in the weight room, he's on the court. It's clockwork," Kerr said. 

"But there's also a sense of joy and energy within that work. 

"I think that's one of the things that ties all great athletes together, like talking about the superstar athletes, the Roger Federers of the world, the Steph Currys of the world. There's a routine that not only is super-disciplined but it's really enjoyed each day.

"There's a passion that comes with it, and that's what sustains it over time. When you love something like those guys do, you work at it, you get better and you just keep going.

Curry meanwhile says simply that his form is down to his appetite for hard work.

"I love to work," he told reporters on Sunday. "You kind of get lost in the sessions you have on the court in practice, in the weight room, wherever it is, because you know it's going to lead to you being as prepared as possible for those games.

"Try to have as much fun as possible. Days that you want to get up and do the work, the days that you don't, days you're tired, all that type of stuff. 

"But it's all just built on my approach from the time I started and just trying to carry that every year for as long as I can.

"Win, lose, whatever it is, however you play, you have to keep coming back to the well to keep sharpening the toolkit and finding ways to evolve your game. The hardest part of what we do is the grind of the year-long prep that it takes to be great at this level."

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NBA Finals tied, as Curry leads Warriors past Celtics in Game 4

Stephen Curry produced a dazzling 43-point display as the Golden State Warriors battled past the Boston Celtics 107-97 to level the NBA Finals series at 2-2 on Saturday (Manila time).

With the Warriors needing a victory at Boston's TD Garden to avoid going down 3-1 in the best-of-seven series, Curry delivered one of the best performances of his glittering career to reignite Golden State's hopes of a seventh championship.

Curry had entered game four with concerns swirling over his fitness after suffering a knock to his foot in the Warriors game three defeat on Wednesday.

But the 34-year-old two-time NBA Most Valuable Player emphatically laid to rest any doubts about his fitness as he single-handedly hauled Golden State back into the finals with game five back in San Francisco on Monday.

Curry finished with 43 points, 10 rebounds and four assists on a night when Golden State again struggled to find their offensive rhythm for long periods against a powerful Boston line-up.

Klay Thompson added 18 points for the Warriors while Andrew Wiggins produced 17 points and 16 rebounds in a crucial contribution. Jordan Poole added 14 from the bench.

"A lot of pride in our group, a lot of talk over the last 48 hours about how we can get back into this series," said Curry. 

"It's crazy because I still feel we can play a little bit better. But to win on the road and get home court advantage back, is big for this group. We've been here six times, we've got a lot of experience of staying confident and composed. 

"I'm just thankful for everyone on our team because we brought a lot of toughness and physicality tonight.

"We knew how big this game was. For us to come out and do what we did and go home. That five-and-a-half hour flight home got a little better after tonight."

- Green struggles -

Warriors coach Steve Kerr, meanwhile, took the bold decision to remove Draymond Green from the fray during the fourth quarter before returning him to the court for the closing passage of play.

Green again struggled on offense with only two points but finished with nine rebounds, eight assists and four steals.

But the undeniable man of the hour was once again Curry, a model of clear-headed composure as bedlam raged around Boston’s raucous arena.

"Just stunning," was how Kerr described Curry's performance. "The physicality out there is, you know, pretty dramatic. I mean, Boston's got obviously, best defense in the league.

"Huge and powerful at every position, and for Steph to take that -- that kind of pressure all game long and still be able to defend at the other end when they are coming at him shows you, I think, this is the strongest physically he's ever been in his career, and it's allowing him to do what he's doing."

Boston had led by four points at 94-90 with just under five minutes remaining before a Wiggins layup and a Thompson three-pointer put Golden State up 95-94. Curry then extended the lead with a layup to make it 97-94 before driving in the dagger with a three-pointer to leave the Warriors 100-94 ahead.

Al Horford cut the deficit for Boston with a corner three, but Kevon Looney’s layup restored the Warriors' five-point cushion.

Curry then closed out the game, cleverly drawing fouls from Boston to nail five points from the free throw line.

Jayson Tatum led the Boston scorers with 23 points while Jaylen Brown finished with 21 points. Marcus Smart added 18 points and Derrick White chipped in with 16.

Agence France-Presse

NBA: Warriors' Curry says he'll play game 4 despite foot injury

BOSTON, United States - Golden State star Stephen Curry was emphatic Thursday in confirming he'll play game four of the NBA Finals, despite suffering a foot injury in the Warriors' game three loss to the Boston Celtics.

"I'm going to play," Curry said at practice Thursday. "That's all I know right now."

The Warriors trail 2-1 in the best-of-seven championship series heading into game four at Boston's TD Garden.

Curry was among the Warriors starters who sat out the last few minutes with Boston on the way to a convincing 116-100 victory.

He led the Warriors with 31 points before hurting his foot when he was buried in a scrum of players chasing a loose ball.

He said the injury was reminiscent of the foot sprain he suffered in March and he hadn't pursued any medical imaging tests on it.

"Because I went through what I went through in the regular season and coming back, I know exactly what it is and what I've got to deal with and the soreness/pain level and all that," Curry said. "So once I got checked out last night, I knew I wouldn't have to go get any extra tests just because we've been through this before."

Curry said his treatment so far had consisted of "about ten and a half hours of sleep, a couple dunks in the ice bucket."

Curry said he knew right away that the injury was less severe than his earlier one. 

"As soon as you started to take a couple of steps, you kind of know whether you can run normal, cut normal or not. Back then, I couldn't," he said. "Yesterday, I could. That gave me a little bit of confidence knowing it wasn't as bad.

"We'll see how it feels tomorrow. I know I'm going to play, but (we'll) just see how it responds to that type of impact."

Agence France-Presse

NBA: Warriors sweating on Curry fitness after Game 3 loss

BOSTON -- The Golden State Warriors were left sweating on the fitness of Stephen Curry after the team's bruising NBA Finals Game 3 defeat to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday.

Curry left the Warriors' 116-100 loss to the Celtics with two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter after being buried in a scrum of players tussling for a loose ball.

The 34-year-old star grimaced in pain after the incident in which he appeared to hurt his foot.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr said he removed Curry from the game once it was clear Boston were assured of a victory which leaves the Celtics 2-1 up with four games remaining.

"The injury didn't force him out of the game," Kerr told reporters. "I took him out down 14 with two minutes left because we weren't going to catch up. We'll know more tomorrow."

Curry, who once again led the Warriors scorers with 31 points, said the pain felt similar to the foot sprain he suffered in March.

However he said he is optimistic of recovering in time for game four on Friday.

"I'll be all right," Curry said. "Obviously in some pain, but I'll be all right. See how it feels tomorrow and get ready for Friday.

"Hopefully it responds well over the next couple days."

Team-mate Klay Thompson said Curry's fitness would be crucial to the Warriors' chances of clawing their way back into the series.

"We need him if we want to win this thing," Thompson said. "I know Steph is going to do everything he can in his power to play. 

"I am really hoping he's okay because he's our identity, and without him, it will be very difficult."

Warriors enforcer Draymond Green picked up a foul for hauling Boston's Al Horford off Curry during the clash which left the Golden State player hobbling.

"I saw him getting dove on and that was about that," Green said. "So I picked up my foul pushing off him because he's screaming at the bottom of the pile."

Agence France-Presse

NBA: Curry stars as Warriors down Celtics to level series

SAN FRANCISCO -- Stephen Curry scored 29 points as the Golden State Warriors roared back into NBA Finals contention on Sunday with a series-levelling 107-88 game two victory over the Boston Celtics.

Curry spearheaded a deadly display of Golden State shooting while a superb Warriors defensive effort shut down Boston's key offensive weapons.

The Warriors, who squandered a 12-point fourth quarter lead in game one, were in no mood to allow lightning to strike twice on Sunday as they cut loose to build a double-digit advantage in the third quarter to tie the best-of-seven series at 1-1.

Curry led the scoring for Golden State, with Jordan Poole (17 points), Andrew Wiggins (11), Kevon Looney (12) and Klay Thompson (11) also making double figures.

Jayson Tatum topped the Boston scorers with 28 points, but crucially 21 of those came in a hardfought first half. 

Only two other Boston players -- Jaylen Brown with 17 points and Derrick White with 12 -- cracked double digits.

The Warriors defense -- marshalled brilliantly by Draymond Green -- suffocated Boston in the second half, with two high-scoring Celtics heroes from game one -- Al Horford and Marcus Smart – held to just four points combined.

The series now moves to Boston with game three scheduled for Wednesday and game four on Friday.

"We said we needed to play with desperation and that's what we did," said Curry. "It's a good feeling to get back on track and now we've got to take it on the road.

"We got off to a better start defensively where we made an imprint on the game and they felt us more than they did in game one. Our third quarter was great and we got a bit more separation that made the fourth quarter easier tonight."

The Warriors put themselves in a winning position after outscoring Boston 35-14 in the third quarter to take an 87-64 lead into the fourth quarter.

- Poole party -

Poole electrified San Francisco's packed Chase Center after launching a buzzer-beating three-pointer from near halfway at the end of the third to cap a devastating passage of play from the home team.

The Warriors kept up the pressure in the early part of the fourth quarter, extending their lead to 29 points as the Celtics scrambled to regroup before closing out a blowout win.

Boston -- who erupted for 40 points in the final quarter to win game one -- picked up where they left off on Sunday, jumping out to an early 13-5 lead with Brown leading the way.

A Brown three-pointer took Boston into a 22-13 lead early in the first quarter before a sustained Warriors rally led by Curry saw the hosts get back to within one point.

A Curry layup on the buzzer gave Golden State a 31-30 lead heading into the second quarter.

Again though Boston found another gear, with Tatum nailing a three-pointer to put the Celtics 33-31 ahead. The Celtics took a five-point lead at 40-35 with a White three-pointer.

The Warriors responded with a 10-0 lead to go up 45-40 and there was little to separate the two teams in the closing stages of the half. Wiggins scored from an offensive rebound to give the Warriors a slender 52-50 half-time lead.

Boston looked the more dangerous team for long periods of the first half, and made 10-of-19 from three-point range, including five from Tatum while Brown finished the half with 15 points.

But the Warriors -- who made only six from beyond the arc in the first half -- erupted after the break to seal the game.

The Celtics meanwhile coughed up 18 turnovers as the Warriors defense took charge.

Agence France-Presse

NBA fines Mavs $100K over continued bench antics

NEW YORK, United States - The NBA upped the pressure on the Dallas Mavericks over their boisterous bench antics on Sunday, fining the club $100,000 after its latest violation of "bench decorum."

The hefty penalty, for conduct during the Mavs' game-two loss to the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference finals, comes after fines of $25,000 and $50,000 over the behavior of unoccupied Mavs players on the sideline during the club's series win over the Phoenix Suns.

"The amount of Dallas' fine also reflects prior infractions of team bench decorum rules in the 2022 NBA playoffs," president of league operations Byron Spruell said in a statement.

The latest Mavs actions to provoke the NBA's ire occurred on Friday, when Golden State's Stephen Curry scored 32 points and the Warriors erased a 19-point first-half deficit to win 126-117 and take a commanding 2-0 series lead.

Game three was on Sunday in Dallas.

"On multiple occasions, several players and a member of the coaching staff stood for an extended period in the Mavericks’ team bench area, stood away from the team bench, and were on or encroaching upon the playing court during game action," Spruell said.

That has been a familiar pattern for the Mavericks, whose bench players have made it a habit to create commotion on the sideline.

Billionaire Mavs owner Mark Cuban isn't likely to be bothered by the increasing fines -- nor he is likely to curb his own habit of straying toward the court.

Even Warriors coach Steve Kerr said he didn't much mind the antics, as long as they didn't create confusion as to who was actually in the game.

At one point on Friday, Curry was attempting a pass into the corner but ended up throwing the ball out of bounds toward the Mavs bench, with some suggesting Curry mistook one of the inactive Mavs players -- two of whom were standing and wearing white -- for a teammate in a white uniform jersey.

In the same contest, Golden State's Jordan Poole came down from a three-point attempt and almost landed on the feet of Mavs players on the sideline.

"I don't mind as long as it doesn't interfere with the game," Kerr said. "I love the fact that Dallas' bench is energetic and talking trash and into it. I think that's what fans want to see. They want to see a team that cares and they want to see energy and chemistry. So I love it, but when it interferes with the game, that's when it crosses the line.

"So I think that's the only thing I'm concerned with, if there is a play that ... if there's a person on the court, person who is standing up calling for the ball, that's a little too much. But otherwise, I really enjoy it. I think it's great."

Agence France-Presse

Warriors down Grizzlies to advance in NBA playoffs

LOS ANGELES -- The Golden State Warriors pulled away late to beat the Memphis Grizzlies, 110-96, and reach the NBA Western Conference finals on Friday.

Klay Thompson drained eight three-pointers on the way to 30 for the Warriors. Stephen Curry added six three-pointers and 29 points as Golden State completed a 4-2 victory in the best-of-seven series.

They will face either the Phoenix Suns or Dallas Mavericks, who play a deciding game seven in their series on Sunday.

It was nip and tuck through three quarters with Curry making two straight baskets to put the Warriors up 78-77 going into the fourth period.

Curry scored 11 points in the final quarter and Andrew Wiggins scored 10 of his 18 as the Warriors, down by two with 6:55 remaining, turned the tide.

Draymond Green chipped in 14 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists. Kevon Looney pulled down 22 rebounds for the Warriors, who had a chance to close out the series in the previous game and were blown out by 39 points.

They reached the conference finals for the first time since 2019, when the franchise reached a fifth straight NBA Finals but fell to Toronto in the championship series.

"I used to take it for granted," Green said of reaching the conference finals. "I have a much deeper appreciation for it, it's so hard."

The Grizzlies, who eliminated the Warriors in the play-in tournament last year, were without young star Ja Morant, who suffered a bone bruise in his left knee in game four of the series.

Dillon Brooks led the Grizzlies on Friday with 30 points and Desmond Bane added 25, but Memphis could not find an answer at the end.

"This obviously stings," Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said. "Such a special season with a special group, and I want them to cherish that, remember that, despite this loss."

Agence France-Presse

NBA: Curry takes charge as Warriors oust Nuggets

LOS ANGELES -- The Golden State Warriors completed a 4-1 series victory against the Denver Nuggets to advance to the second round of the NBA playoffs on Wednesday.

Golden State relied on 30 points from Stephen Curry and a crucial late 15-point cameo from Gary Payton II to seal a pulsating 102-98 victory over reigning MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.

The Warriors will now face either the Memphis Grizzlies or Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference semi-finals.

The Warriors, who had led the series 3-0 before dropping game four in Colorado on Sunday, dug deep in the fourth quarter to clinch victory at the Chase Center.

The Nuggets, buoyed by a towering 30-point display from Jokic, had led by eight points at the end of the third period.

But Golden State outscored the visitors 32-20 in the fourth quarter -- with Payton contributing 10 points -- to claim a dramatic win.

The victory was Golden State's first playoff series win since 2019 after two consecutive seasons where they missed the postseason. 

"I think you could see those first three quarters we'd forgotten what it felt like to try and close out a game," Curry said. 

"The nerves, the energy, the pressure in the building. It's been a long time since we've felt this. We still know how to do it but we had to grind it out. It's a good feeling to go through and get the win."

Agence France-Presse

Steph Curry dazzles with 16 3-pointers as Team LeBron wins All-Star Game

Stephen Curry scored 50 points and set an All-Star Game record with 16 3-point baskets to give Team LeBron a 163-160 victory over Team Durant on Sunday night in Cleveland.

Curry, playing for Team LeBron, shattered the former All-Star record of nine 3-pointers, set by Paul George in 2016. The Golden State Warriors' star fell two points shy of the scoring record set by Anthony Davis in 2017 but still took home MVP honors with his dazzling performance.

Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers had 36 points and 10 rebounds to lead Team Durant.

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers hit the game-ending shot to reach the target score and give Team LeBron the victory.

Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks had 30 points and 12 rebounds for Team LeBron. James scored 24 points while playing in his 18th All-Star Game, one shy of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record.

Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns added 20 points for Team Durant.

The third quarter ended with Team Durant holding a 139-138 lead. That set the target winning score at 163 with the NBA adding 24 points to the leading total after three quarters. It is the third straight year the formula has been part of the game.

Curry's 16th 3-pointer gave Team LeBron a 144-139 lead. Embiid's three-point play later pulled Team Durant within 151-150 and then he sank two free throws to give his team a one-point lead.

Antetokounmpo later scored back-to-back baskets, James added a layup and DeMar DeRozan of the Chicago Bulls hit a turnaround to give Team LeBron a 161-155 lead. Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine scored five straight points for Team Durant before James drained the 17-foot fadeaway jumper that gave his team the required 163 points.

Curry attempted 27 3-pointers and was 17 of 30 overall from the field.

Chris Paul of the Phoenix Suns played 2:19 for Team LeBron despite having a fractured right thumb that will sideline him for six to eight weeks. Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz missed the contest due to a non-COVID illness.

Also, injured Kevin Durant (knee) of the Brooklyn Nets didn't partake in the festivities due to the death of his grandmother earlier Sunday.

Between halves, members of the NBA's 75th anniversary team were honored.

When play resumed, Curry went into lava-hot mode and knocked down five 3-pointers in 128 seconds, including shots from 37 and 33 feet. His second 3-pointer during the stretch -- a 25-footer with 8:37 remaining in the third quarter -- was his 10th to break George's record.

Curry added two more 3-pointers later in the stanza to take a total of 15 into the final quarter. Both teams scored 45 points in the third period.

Curry had 24 first-half points on a record eight 3-pointers for a half, but Team LeBron trailed 94-93 at the break. Embiid had 17 first-half points to pace Team Durant.

-reuters-

NBA: Warriors outlast Jazz behind Stephen Curry’s 28

Stephen Curry scored 28 points, dished out nine assists and broke another NBA record to lift the visiting Golden State Warriors to a 123-116 win over the Utah Jazz on Saturday night in Salt Lake City.

Curry hit 6-of-12 from deep to break his own NBA record by making a 3-pointer for the 158th consecutive game.

Curry scored 12 points in the fourth quarter as the Warriors rallied from an eight-point deficit -- after surrendering a second-half 16-point lead -- to overtake the Jazz.

Andrew Wiggins scored 25 and Otto Porter Jr. added 20 for the Warriors, who played without Draymond Green (health and safety protocols).

Rudy Gobert led the Jazz with 20 points and 19 rebounds, while Donovan Mitchell, Bojan Bogdanovic and Jordan Clarkson also each scored 20.

Utah shot 43.5 percent to the Warriors' 53.5 percent, leading to the end of a six-game winning streak. The Jazz were on the second night of a back-to-back set, after beating Minnesota on Friday. Golden State hadn't played since Tuesday.

The Warriors roared ahead by five after trailing by eight earlier in the fourth, but the Jazz tied it at 111-111 on a Bogdanovic 3.

Curry then hit a jumper and a 3-pointer to give the Warriors their five-point lead back heading into the final minute. Andre Iguodala nailed a key 3 in the final minute, and Curry sealed the win from the free-throw line.

Mitchell, now in his fifth season, moved into the top 10 list for all-time scoring in Jazz history.

Gary Payton II, who played junior college basketball at Salt Lake Community College, began the second half with an alley-oop dunk from Kevon Looney for a 66-50 lead.

The game then took a wild turn.

In a 49-second span, the Jazz scored eight straight on 3s from Conley and Royce O'Neale followed by a Bogdanovic basket. Conley concluded the 10-0 run 35 seconds later, bringing the Jazz within six.

Curry made a 30-foot triple to end that Jazz spurt, but the home team got right back to it. Utah went on a 19-5 run to take a five-point lead that it maintained going into the fourth quarter.

Utah went up by eight after a Conley 3 early in the fourth quarter, but the Warriors attacked the basket with Gobert taking a breather and scored seven straight to set up the back-and-forth finish.

-reuters-

NBA: Stephen Curry hits milestone trey but Warriors fall to Nuggets

Stephen Curry became the first player in NBA history to make 3,000 3-pointers in a career Tuesday night, but Will Barton got the better of the game's final minute, saving four of his 21 points for the final 43.6 seconds to push the visiting Denver Nuggets past the Golden State Warriors 89-86 in the opener of a home-and-home sequence.

Nikola Jokic had 22 points and a game-high 18 rebounds for the Nuggets, who were playing Golden State for the first time this season and will get an opportunity to sweep a pair when the clubs meet in a rematch Thursday in Denver.

While the Warriors were falling behind by as many as 24 points, Curry struggled without a 3-pointer for almost 36 minutes before connecting on his milestone three with 5.3 seconds remaining in the third period to cap a 25-14 Warriors run that trimmed a 24-point halftime deficit to 74-61.

Curry bombed in four more 3-pointers in the fourth period, including one with 2:08 to play that got the Warriors within 84-82.

After a Gary Payton II layup pulled Golden State even with 1:04 to play, Barton tipped in his own miss with 43.6 seconds left for a lead the Nuggets never relinquished, before adding two free throws with 32 seconds to go to double the margin.

The Warriors had two chances to tie, including one final possession with 2.3 seconds to go, but Andre Iguodala misfired on a potential overtime-creating 3-pointer, allowing the Nuggets to record a second straight win.

Curry finished with a game-high 23 points for the Warriors, making five of his 14 3-point attempts. His teammates combined to make just five of their 18 from beyond the arc.

Jokic also contributed five assists and four steals to the win.

The Nuggets won the game at the foul line despite making just 13 of 20. That's because the Warriors missed 15 of their 31, with rookie Jonathan Kuminga going just 3-for-10 on a nine-point night.

Kuminga, seeing additional playing time with Draymond Green having gone into health-and-safety protocols, also had an interior shot blocked by Jokic with 3.7 seconds remaining with the Warriors down by two.

Andrew Wiggins added 21 points and eight rebounds for the Warriors, while Payton chipped in with 11 points and Juan Toscano-Anderson 10.

In snapping Golden State's three-game winning streak, the Nuggets dominated the first half, starting with a 10-0, game-opening burst. Barton had 17 of his 21 points in the first half, when Denver also had a 13-0 run en route to a 60-36 halftime advantage.

-reuters-

NBA: Stephen Curry, Andrew Wiggins help Warriors hold off Celtics

Stephen Curry scored 30 points, Andrew Wiggins added 27 and the Golden State Warriors survived after blowing a 20-point lead in a 111-107 win over the shorthanded Boston Celtics on Friday night in Boston.

Andre Iguodala added 12 points while Draymond Green contributed a team-high eight assists for the Warriors, who have won three straight and five of their last six games.

Jayson Tatum had 27 points, eight rebounds and six assists to lead Boston, which has dropped five of its last seven. Jaylen Brown added 20 points, Marcus Smart had 19 with eight assists and Josh Richardson scored 15 for the Celtics.

Boston was without starting center Al Horford and forwards Grant Williams, Jabari Parker, Juancho Hernangomez and Sam Hauser, who all landed in the league's COVID-19 health and safety protocols this week.

Celtics guard Dennis Schroder also missed the game with a non-COVID illness. Boston guard Romeo Langford left the game with neck pain in the second quarter and did not return.

Warriors star Klay Thompson (right Achilles tendon repair) remained sidelined despite being recalled from G League affiliate Santa Cruz earlier in the week. Center James Wiseman (right knee meniscus tear) and Jordan Poole (COVID-19 protocol) also sat out.

Golden State was ahead 68-54 at halftime after leading by as many as 20 late in the second quarter.

After outscoring the Warriors 27-14 in the third quarter, Tatum's stepback 3-pointer with 11:25 remaining gave Boston its first lead since the opening minutes at 84-82.

Golden State scored the next seven points and used a 23-11 overall run to push its lead back up to double digits at 105-95 on Curry's 3 with 4:25 to play.

Boston answered with a 9-2 push to pull within 107-104 on Brown's layup with 50.9 seconds to go before Curry answered with a floater with 35 seconds on the clock.

Curry committed an offensive foul for his sixth to end his night with 10.7 seconds to go and Smart hit a 3 with 4.2 on the clock to make it a two-point game. Damion Lee's two free throws with 2.8 seconds left sealed the win.

-reuters-

Stephen Curry is NBA's new three-point king

NEW YORK -- Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry eclipsed Ray Allen as the NBA's three-point king on Tuesday, draining his record 2,974th career three-pointer against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

Curry, whose remarkable shooting range has revolutionized the NBA in his 13-year tenure, matched Allen's record with his 2,973rd three-pointer with 10:56 remaining in the first quarter with his first shot of the contest.

He missed a chance at breaking the record but with 7:33 remaining in the opening period, he swished in number 2,974 over Knicks defender Alec Burks, with Andrew Wiggins getting the assist after kicking the ball out to Curry from the paint.

Curry let out a loud shout as teammates celebrated with him.

"Hell yeah!" teammate Draymond Green shouted as photographers gathered around. "That's greatness!"

Curry exchanged an emotional hug with coach Steve Kerr, who corralled the ball used in the record-setting shot, and then embraced his father, former NBA player Dell Curry, as well as Allen.

Kerr said in a halftime television interview that the moment was "more emotional" than he had expected.

"It was just beautiful just to hear the fans' reaction, see his teammates, see his dad -- it was just a fantastic moment."

Curry has been scorching towards overtaking Allen's record for years. He finally surpassed the milestone on Tuesday in his 789th career game; Allen had achieved his old benchmark in 1,300 appearances.

Such is his long-range prowess that there was real belief that Curry could perhaps break the record with a single-game mark of 16 in a home game against the Portland Trail Blazers last Wednesday.

That didn't happen, and the Warriors departed on a road trip with Curry needing 10 three-pointers to break the record.

- Electric atmosphere -

The 76ers' swarming defense held Curry to three three-pointers in Philadelphia on Saturday. He added two more at Indiana on Monday.

Curry, who said he knew teams would be keen to slow him, wasn't disappointed to have a shot at the record at Madison Square Garden, perhaps the most storied arena in the NBA.

"I've had some fun nights in that building," said Curry, whose 54-point performance there against the Knicks on February 27, 2013 was a harbinger of a career that now includes three NBA titles and two Most Valuable Player awards.

"The whole legacy of that building, how iconic it is -- a lot of cool things have happened in that building."

The atmosphere was electric before the game with Allen courtside and Reggie Miller, who held the three-point record for more than a decade before Allen broke it in 2011, on duty as a television commentator.

Both chatted and shared a hug with Curry before the game, with filmmaker and Knicks super-fan Spike Lee catching the moment on his cell phone camera.

Reaction from around the league was swift.

"Just landed in Dallas to see @StephenCurry30 broke the record and to make it even doper he did it in the GARDEN!!" Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James tweeted. "WOW CONGRATS BROTHER!! INCREDIBLE"

Curry and the Warriors won NBA titles in 2015, 2017 and 2018 against Cleveland Cavaliers teams led by James.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver called Curry's achievement "thrilling."

"He has revolutionized the way the game is played and continues to leave fans in awe with his amazing artistry and extraordinary shooting ability. We congratulate him on this historic achievement."

Added former Lakers great Magic Johnson: "Congratulations to Steph Curry for making history and setting the new NBA All-Time 3-point record tonight!! Thank you @StephenCurry30 for revolutionizing the game of basketball forever! It was great to see his parents Dell and Sonya there supporting him!"

Agence France-Presse

NBA: Stephen Curry doesn't top record, but Warriors down Blazers

Stephen Curry moved within nine of Ray Allen's record with six 3-pointers en route to a team-high 22 points Wednesday night to help the Golden State Warriors close out a four-game homestand with a 104-94 victory over the short-handed Portland Trail Blazers in San Francisco.

With the home crowd hoping to see him break Allen's all-time career mark of 2,973, Curry missed his first four 3-point attempts and never challenged the 15 he needed to tie the record.

Now sitting at 2,964, Curry will get his next opportunity at breaking the mark in a nationally televised game Saturday night in Philadelphia against the 76ers as the Warriors tip off a five-game trip.

Facing a road-challenged team missing Damian Lillard (lower abdominal tendinopathy) and CJ McCollum (collapsed right lung), the Warriors struggled to seize control of the game. 

They led 76-66 after three quarters, then never by more than 16 in the final period.

Curry shot 6-for-17 on 3-point tries on a night when the Warriors hoisted up a total of 46 but made just 14. Otto Porter Jr. was the most effective from long distance for the hosts, going 4-for-6 to account for all but three of his 15 points off the bench.

Jordan Poole added 20 points, Andrew Wiggins 14 and Kevon Looney 11 for the Warriors, who improved to 14-2 at home. Each of their last 13 home wins has come by at least 10 points.

Draymond Green contributed a team-high 10 rebounds and game-high eight assists to the win, which was the Warriors' second at home over the Trail Blazers in a 12-game stretch that has seen Golden State go 10-2.

Norman Powell had a game-high 26 points for the Trail Blazers, who dropped their fourth straight, all by 10 or more points.

Powell made just one of his seven 3-point tries as Portland, in losing for the 11th time in 12 road games this season, also struggled from beyond the arc (8-for-30).

Jusuf Nurkic pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds to complement 12 points and six assists for Portland, while Nassir Little went for 18 points and Dennis Smith Jr. and Ben McLemore had 12 apiece.

The Trail Blazers outshot the Warriors overall 40.7 percent to 39.8 percent.

-reuters-