Buzzer-beaters, jaw-dropping crossovers, and gravity-defying layups—Stephen Curry, the maestro of Curry’s 3-point magic, has graced the NBA with his mesmerizing skills. However, even the Splash Brother himself isn’t immune to the occasional cold spell. On the night of December 17, 2023, the Golden State Warriors faced off against the Portland Trail Blazers, marking the end of an era for Curry’s astounding streak of 268 consecutive games with at least one 3-pointer.
The Night Curry’s 3-Point Reign Took a Pause
In a surprising turn of events, the two-time MVP and four-time NBA champion struggled to find his groove on the court that night. Curry, often hailed as one of the greatest shooters in NBA history, had a lackluster performance, managing a mere 7 points while shooting an uncharacteristic 16.7% from the field and a disheartening 0-for-8 from beyond the arc. The numbers tell a tale of a rare off-night for the usually sharpshooting maestro.
But how does this stumble compare to the grand picture of Curry’s career? Unearth the past, and you’ll find that his last regular season game without a made 3-pointer dates back to November 8, 2018, when the Golden State Warriors faced a daunting defeat against the Milwaukee Bucks. On that occasion, Curry finished with 10 points, shooting a modest 35.7% from the field and missing all four attempts from long range.
While the recent dip in 3-point production is a noteworthy anomaly, it’s crucial to traverse the timeline of Curry’s career. Early on, in the embryonic stages of his NBA journey from 2009-10 to 2012-13, Curry grappled with inconsistency, experiencing 40 regular season games and one playoff game without a successful 3-pointer. Fast forward to the present, and such instances have become a rarity, showcasing Curry’s evolution into a more accurate marksman over the course of his 15-season career.
One might argue that a single off-night can’t tarnish the legacy of a player of Curry’s caliber. The man who redefined long-range shooting, amassing numerous accolades, remains a powerhouse in the NBA. Notably, his lone playoff game without a made 3-pointer occurred during Game 5 of the 2022 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics. Despite the misfires beyond the arc, Curry propelled the Warriors to a 104-94 victory with 16 points on 31.8% shooting—a testament to his versatility and resilience.
In the unpredictable realm of professional basketball, every missed shot tells a story, and every off-night fuels the hunger for redemption. Stephen Curry, the virtuoso of the three-point arc, may have stumbled, but his journey is far from over. As the saying goes, “It’s not about how many times you fall, but how many times you rise.” The NBA awaits the next chapter in Curry’s remarkable saga, where every shot carries the weight of history and the promise of a triumphant comeback.
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