Stephen Curry reminds us that he’s the best shooter in the world

Stephen Curry scores 51 points in three quarters as the Golden State Warriors defeat the visiting Wizards 144-122

Between 2014-16, Stephen Curry won two consecutive MVP awards by bending the game to his will. With his incredible handle, limitless shooting range, and unrivaled court vision, Curry put opposing teams on their heels as he controlled the game from the point guard position.

But after Kevin Durant joined the Golden State Warriors, Curry became more deferential. In the name of teamwork, Curry used the attention paid to him to open up opportunities for Durant and others.

After averaging 30.1 points per game in 2015-16, Curry’s scoring average dropped to 25.7 over the past two seasons. His assists per game also declined as he handled the ball less.

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The result has been two consecutive championships for the Warriors, so the team approach made sense. But in the process, Curry’s name no longer appeared on the short list of MVP candidates.

Early in this new season, however, Curry seems intent on reinserting himself into the MVP conversation. Coming in to their matchup with the Washington Wizards, Curry has been on a rampage, averaging 30.5 points and shooting 47% from three-point range.

Against the Wizards, Curry was on fire from the get-go. He hit his first three pointer early in the first quarter in the face of Markieff Morris, and then really started heating up in the final four minutes of the first quarter.

At the 2:45 mark, Curry officially went into heat check mode, hitting his fourth three-pointer from 26 feet. Curry finished the first quarter with 23 points while hitting all five of his three-pointers. At one point, he scored 18 consecutive points for the Warriors.

By halftime, Curry had scored 31 points, though the Warriors led by only nine points, 80-71. The Wizards were hanging tough as Morris, Bradley Beal, and Kelly Oubre, Jr. were shooting effectively.

But the third quarter belonged to Curry as he dazzled the Oracle Arena crowd. On a botched fast break, Curry gathered the rebound and hit a corner three while being fouled. Curry completed the four-point play to give the Warriors a 16-point lead.

On the next possession, he hit another corner three-pointer, his ninth of the night.

After his tenth three-pointer – a 32-footer from the hashmark – Curry gave a Jordanesque shoulder shrug, acknowledging the specialness of the night. He hit his final three-pointer, a 33-footer from straightaway, as the third quarter drew to a close.

With the Warriors comfortably ahead, 115-97, coach Steve Kerr opted to sit Curry for the fourth quarter. The Warriors closed out the Wizards, 144-122.

Stephen Curry’s stat line read: 51 points on 15 of 24 field goals, including 11 of 16 from three-point range, in 32 minutes. Had he not missed three layups, he would have had 57 points.

What was remarkable about Curry’s three-point shooting was the degree of difficulty – nine of the eleven makes were contested with a hand in his face. These were not wide-open corner gimmes.

How hot was Curry? Kevin Durant’s 30 points on 13 of 18 shooting was a mere afterthought to the Curry avalanche.

This was Curry’s sixth game with eleven or more three pointers; no other player in NBA history has more than one.

This was also the sixth game in which Stephen Curry scored 50 points or more. Curry scored 54 points, his career high, on February 27, 2013 against the New York Knicks. Coincidentally, Curry and the Warriors will play the Knicks in Madison Square Garden on Friday.

It’s still early in the season, but Stephen Curry is on pace to make 541 three-pointers. Tonight was a reminder of just how great a shooter Curry is, and how he can take over a game.