Stephen Curry bagged the 67th game of his career with 40 points or more to save the Golden State Warriors with a 127-118 road win over the Washington Wizards.
The Warriors, who played in the nation’s capital a day before a scheduled White House visit in recognition of last season’s NBA championship win, looked to be sliding to defeat as Washington led 106-98 midway through the fourth quarter.
But two three-pointers from Draymond Green sparked a burst of Warriors scoring, with Curry finishing on 41 points after a closing 27-8 run.
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“It’s whatever it takes at this point for us to try and right the ship, and get some good momentum, good energy around the team and an understanding of how to win games on the road,” said Curry, paying tribute to the work of Green and Jordan Poole, who finished with 32 points.
“Draymond was unbelievable in the fourth quarter and Jordan kept us alive in the first half,” said Curry.
“Collectively we just had a little bit more composure down the stretch and a little bit more intelligence on how to finish the game and not get rattled in that fourth quarter.”
TATUM EXPLODES TO POWER CELTICS
Elsewhere, Jayson Tatum produced an electrifying 51-point display as the Boston Celtics kicked off the NBA’s Martin Luther King Day holiday schedule with a 130-118 win over the lowly Charlotte Hornets.
Two days after scoring 33 points against Charlotte on Saturday, Tatum once again took centre stage with a commanding performance as the Eastern Conference leaders claimed a seventh straight victory.
Tatum brought up his half century in the closing seconds, nervelessly draining a long-range three-pointer which drew roars of appreciation from the home crowd at Charlotte’s Spectrum Center.
It was the final act of an 18-point fourth quarter from Tatum, who made 15-of-23 from the field with seven three-pointers, nine rebounds and five assists.
Tatum’s display marked the fifth time in his career he has posted more than 50 points in a game. His career high remains a 60-point performance against San Antonio in 2021.
Monday’s tally also means the 24-year-old is the Celtics all-time leader in regular-season 50-point games, surpassing franchise icon Larry Bird’s total of four.
Is this the DUNK OF THE SEASON? | 00:22
Apart from a fleeting moment in the first quarter when Charlotte led, Boston were always in control of Monday’s encounter.
Although Charlotte got to within two points at 103-101 midway through the fourth quarter, the Celtics took charge down the stretch.
Boston victory saw them improve to 33-12 at the top of the East, 4.5 games clear of second-placed Brooklyn.
Tatum got scoring support from Derrick White (19 points) while Malcolm Brogdon added 16 off the bench and point guard Marcus Smart chipped in with 10.
Jalen McDaniels (26 points) and LaMelo Ball (25) combined to lead Charlotte’s scoring.
The Hornets have now lost five straight and remain rooted to the bottom of the Eastern Conference with 11 wins and 34 defeats.
ELSEWHERE…
In other games, Milwaukee recovered from back-to-back defeats against Miami with a battling 132-119 victory over the Indiana Pacers.
Once again without Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks looked to be in trouble as Indiana led by double digits in the third quarter at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum.
But the Bucks rallied in the fourth to outscore Indiana 39-21 to claim the win. Jrue Holiday once again came up big for Milwaukee with a season-high 35 points.
In other news, the Clevelander Cavaliers took a 113-103 win over the New Orleans Pelicans but it may have come at a cost.
Donovan Mitchell was injured in the victory, with Cavaliers coach JB Bickerstaff unsure of the severity of the groin problem that the guard picked up.
Mitchell managed just seven minutes in the second half before leaving the game with the injury, with Darius Garland (30 points, 11 assists, six rebounds) stepping up in his absence.
Jarrett Allen (24 points, five assists and 11 rebounds) also made his presence felt on both ends while Australian Dyson Daniels impressed for the Pelicans with four steals in the first half.
OTHER NBA SCORES
Knicks 121 Raptors 123 (OT)
Hawks 121 Heat 113
Timberwolves 125 Jazz 126
