Stephen Curry became just the fourth NBA player in the last 10 years to score 50 or more points in the first three quarters of a game, pouring in 51 in the Golden State Warriors’ 144-122 victory over the Washington Wizards.
Game leaders
Washington Wizards
- Points: Bradley Beal – 23
- Assists: John Wall – 6
- Rebounds: Morris/Oubre Jr/Smith – 4
Golden State Warriors
- Points: Stephen Curry – 51
- Assists: Draymond Green -12
- Rebounds: Kevin Durant -8
Curry sandwiched an eight-point second quarter with a 23-point burst in the first quarter and a further 20 points in the third period.
He joins James Harden, Carmelo Anthony and Warriors’ team-mate Klay Thompson in the list of players to score 50 or more points in the first 36 minutes of an NBA game in the past decade.
Curry did not play in the fourth quarter, finishing three points under his career high of 54.
The 51 points were an NBA season high, surpassing the 50 scored by Detroit’s Blake Griffin against Philadelphia on Tuesday night.
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Curry did a majority of his scoring on three-pointers, hitting 11 of 16, the sixth time in his career that he has made 11 or more. His career high is 13.
Kevin Durant added 30 points and Thompson 19 for the Warriors, who improved to 3-0 at home this season. Durant also finished with game highs in rebounds (eight) and assists (seven).
The Warriors shot 58.2 per cent in the game, including 46.9 per cent (15-for-32) from three-point range.
Bradley Beal had 23 points to lead the Wizards, who were coming off an overtime victory at Portland on Monday night.
Kelly Oubre Jr (17 points), Markieff Morris (14), John Wall (13), Otto Porter Jr (12) and Jeff Green (10) also scored in double figures for the Wizards, who have games remaining at Sacramento, the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis on their nine-game trip.
The Warriors never trailed after the third minute of the game, but led just 26-22 with 4:31 left in the first quarter before Curry scored 18 consecutive Golden State points in a flurry that opened up a nine-point advantage.
The Warriors led 80-71 at halftime, joining Utah as the only teams to put up 80 or more points in the first half this season. Golden State finished with 37 assists, with Draymond Green recording a game-high 12.
Wednesday night's scores
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