On Feb. 6, the Golden State Warriors had been tenth within the Western Convention with a 25-26 file. Three weeks later, the Warriors (32-27) are the seventh seed within the West and journey a five-game profitable streak after Thursday’s 121-115 win over the Orlando Magic.
Two key occasions have dramatically altered Golden State’s arc: the arrival of Jimmy Butler on the commerce deadline from Miami and Steph Curry’s return to dominant play.
In Golden State’s previous eight video games, Curry has appeared like his classic MVP self. Throughout this stretch, the guard has averaged 30.6 factors, 5.4 assists and 4.1 rebounds and shot 42.7% from three-point vary, per Basketball Reference.
These numbers are remarkably just like Curry’s MVP season of 2015-16, when he led the Warriors to a 73-9 file. Golden State, which performs subsequent at Philadelphia (20-38) on Saturday, will not attain these heights this season, after all, however Curry’s return to type is notable.
“Because the commerce, he is been so dialed in,” Warriors ahead Draymond Green said Thursday, per ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk. “He advised you guys all you wish to do is play with expectations, have some expectations, and meant that. I feel you take a look at the physique of labor over the course of the years, clearly we all know that is true.”
The spotlight of Curry’s resurgence was his virtuoso efficiency in opposition to the Magic on Thursday, when he scored 56 factors and tied a profession excessive with 12 three-pointers. It was a classic Curry explosion — one by which even half-court photographs appeared as straightforward as layups.
