On Wednesday, January 24, 2024, the Golden State Warriors hosted the Atlanta Hawks at the Chase Center in California. The game was a high-scoring affair, with the Warriors winning by a commanding score of 134-112. But the game also had a historical significance, as Warriors star Steph Curry moved up on the NBA’s all-time games played list.
Curry’s Milestone
Curry, who is widely regarded as one of the best shooters and players of all time, played in his 920th career game on Wednesday, which moved him ahead of Serge Ibaka and Robert Reid and tied him with Larry Nance for 234th on the NBA’s all-time games played list¹. Following Nance, the next players for Curry to pass will be Richard Hamilton (921) and Dick Van Arsdale (921).
Curry, who was the seventh pick in the 2009 NBA Draft out of Davidson, is in his 15th season in the league (all with Golden State). He has led the franchise to six NBA Finals appearances and four championships since the 2015 season. He is also a two-time MVP, a seven-time All-Star, a three-time scoring champion, and a member of the 50-40-90 club.
Curry came into the game with averages of 26.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists per contest while shooting 44.6% from the field and 39.7% from the three-point range in 37 games. He will turn 36 later this year but is still among the ten best players in the world.
Curry’s Performance
Curry had a stellar performance against the Hawks, leading the team with 25 points, three rebounds and eight assists while shooting 7/16 from the field and 5/8 from the three-point range in only 31 minutes of playing time. He also made an excellent pass that went viral on social media, as he brought the ball up the court, directed traffic and made a no-look dish to rookie Jonathan Kuminga, who finished off the play with a layup at the rim (plus the foul)².
Kuminga, who was the seventh pick in the 2021 NBA Draft out of the G League Ignite, had a breakout game, scoring 25 points on a perfect 11/11 shooting from the field. He also added six rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks in 28 minutes off the bench. He showed his versatility, athleticism and potential, as he scored in various ways, including dunks, layups, jumpers and even a three-pointer.
The Warriors also got contributions from other players, such as Klay Thompson (18 points), Draymond Green (12 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists, triple-double), Jordan Poole (16 points) and Otto Porter Jr. (15 points). The Warriors shot 54.9% from the field and 46.3% from the three-point range, while holding the Hawks to 43.2% and 28.6%, respectively. The Warriors also had 35 assists, 11 steals and nine blocks, while the Hawks had 21, six and four, respectively.
The Hawks were led by Dejounte Murray, who had 28 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Murray, who was acquired from the San Antonio Spurs in a blockbuster trade earlier this season, has been having a career year, averaging 19.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 8.6 assists per game. He is also one of the best defensive guards in the league, averaging 2.1 steals per game.
The Hawks also got 18 points from John Collins, 16 points from Kevin Huerter and 15 points from Cam Reddish. However, they were missing their star player, Trae Young, who was out with a sprained ankle. Young, who is an All-Star and one of the best scorers and playmakers in the league, is averaging 26.4 points and 9.8 assists per game.
Implications
The win improved the Warriors’ record to 19-22, which has them as the 12th seed in the Western Conference. They snapped a two-game losing streak and will remain at home to host the Sacramento Kings on Thursday evening. The Warriors are hoping to make a playoff push, as they have their core of Curry, Thompson and Green healthy and playing together for the first time since the 2019 NBA Finals. The Warriors are also expecting to get back James Wiseman, their second-year center who has been out with a knee injury, soon.
The loss dropped the Hawks’ record to 18-26, which has them as the 11th seed in the Eastern Conference. They are in the middle of a three-game losing streak and are 10-14 in the 24 games they have played on the road. The Hawks are hoping to get back Young, who is their leader and best player, soon. The Hawks are also dealing with other injuries, such as Bogdan Bogdanovic (knee), Clint Capela (ankle) and Danilo Gallinari (back). The Hawks are looking to bounce back, as they were one of the surprise teams last season, reaching the Eastern Conference Finals.
The game between the Warriors and the Hawks was an entertaining and historic one, as it featured one of the best players of all time, Steph Curry, making NBA history and putting on a show. It also showcased some of the young and emerging talents in the league, such as Kuminga and Murray. The game also had implications for the playoff race, as both teams are fighting for a spot in the postseason. The game was a reminder of why the NBA is such a thrilling and exciting league to watch.
Source:
(1) Steph Curry Made NBA History In Hawks-Warriors Game https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/steph-curry-made-nba-history-in-hawks-warriors-game/ar-BB1hdI0L
(2) Steph Curry’s Incredible Dime Went Viral In Hawks-Warriors Game. https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/steph-currys-incredible-dime-went-viral-in-hawks-warriors-game/ar-BB1hdXDB
(3) Warriors Honor Coach ‘Deki’ Scoring 134 Points in Win Over Hawks. https://www.nba.com/warriors/news/gameday-recap-20240124
(4) Steph Curry Made NBA History In Hawks-Warriors Game. https://www.si.com/fannation/nba/fastbreak/news/steph-curry-made-nba-history-in-hawks-warriors-game-wednesday
(5) Warriors 134-112 Hawks (Jan 24, 2024) Game Recap – ESPN. https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401585254
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