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Fansided

The impact of Stephen Curry despite a season-low 8 points

By Peter O'Keefe

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 28: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after the Warriors failed to tie the game in the final seconds of the game against the Denver Nuggets at Chase Center on December 28, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 28: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after the Warriors failed to tie the game in the final seconds of the game against the Denver Nuggets at Chase Center on December 28, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole may rightly draw the plaudits for being the architects of the Golden State Warriors’ victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night, but two-time MVP Stephen Curry should equally be applauded despite a season-low scoring output.

Thompson and Poole each tallied at least 30 points, five rebounds, and five assists, becoming the first Warrior duo to complete that feat since Curry and Kevin Durant in 2018.

Despite a season-low 8 points, Stephen Curry again demonstrated his unique impact simply through reputation and the gravitational pull he possesses.

In contrast, Curry, coming off a 34-point game against Denver, took just seven field-goal attempts in an eight-point, five-rebound, eight-assist performance.

Curry was face guarded from mid-court by Milwaukee defenders, often Wesley Matthews, for the majority of the game. Rather than force things through a wave of Bucks blitzing, Curry recognized the opportunities that were opening for his teammates.

He’d often stand out of the way, taking a defender with him to open up a 4 vs. 4 scenario for the Warrior offense. That allowed greater space for Thompson and Poole in which to work, allowing them to take their opponents off the dribble without the threat of an extra help defender.

On other occasions when Curry was on the ball, the Bucks would look to trap with Curry making the right play more often than not. That included a nice drop-off pass to a rolling Jonathan Kuminga who finished strongly for one of the highlights plays of the game.

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Curry’s unselfishness seemed to resonate throughout the entire team. Thompson’s season-high 38 points appeared to come naturally, rather than ‘forcing it ‘ which has been a criticism of his game in recent times.

Thompson and Poole both had five assists with each of the Warriors starters recording at least four. Nemanja Bjelica also had five as Golden State tallied 33 assists on 45 made field goals.

The best part was that Curry, as has been a staple of his Hall of Fame career, appeared genuinely happy for his teammates’ success. He looked at peace throughout the entire game, never looking frustrated nor forcing his own shot.

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It almost seems bizarre that he could drop a season-low against the reigning NBA champions in a blowout win, yet it was another reflection on Curry’s ability to impact the game far beyond his own scoring.

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