Steph Curry Cracks NBA’s All-Time Top 20 Scoring List as Warriors Lock Down Timberwolves
Steph Curry just added another milestone to a career already stacked with them. In the Warriors’ 111-85 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, Curry officially moved into the top 20 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list - a testament to both his longevity and his consistent brilliance.
But this night wasn’t just about Curry’s place in history. It was about the Warriors putting together one of their most complete defensive performances of the season, shutting down a Timberwolves team that came in with plenty of firepower.
Curry Climbs Past Havlicek, Eyes Duncan Next
Coming into the season, Curry sat at 25,386 career points, just outside the top 20. He’s been steadily climbing the ranks since October - passing Alex English, Vince Carter, and Kevin Garnett - and now, with 24 points against Minnesota, he’s leapfrogged Celtics legend John Havlicek to crack the top 20.
It was a pair of free throws that did it. First, they nudged him past Havlicek.
Then, they brought him level with another Boston great, Paul Pierce, for 19th place. Next up?
Tim Duncan, who’s fewer than 100 points away. And if Curry keeps scoring at his current clip - around 27.4 points per game - it won’t take long before he’s knocking on the door of the top 15.
That threshold is currently held by Hakeem Olajuwon, who finished his Hall of Fame career with 26,946 points. Curry needs about 550 more to get there - roughly 20 games of doing what he’s done all season.
A Defensive Clinic in Minneapolis
While Curry’s milestone made headlines, it was the Warriors’ defense that turned heads. After Saturday’s game was postponed to Sunday, Golden State came out with fresh legs and a clear edge, looking like a team eager to make up for lost time.
They forced the Timberwolves into 26 turnovers - a season-high - and turned those mistakes into 25 points on the other end. That kind of pressure disrupted Minnesota’s flow from the jump. The Wolves ended up taking 16 fewer shots than the Warriors and dished out 15 fewer assists.
Anthony Edwards was the lone bright spot for Minnesota, pouring in 32 points and grabbing 11 boards on an efficient 13-of-20 shooting night. But beyond Edwards, it was a struggle.
Only Donte DiVincenzo (22 points) and Julius Randle (11) joined him in double figures. The rest of the team combined to shoot just 28.8% from the field - a number that speaks volumes about the Warriors’ defensive intensity.
The 85 points Minnesota scored were the third-fewest the Warriors have allowed all season, and it marked just the third time they’ve held an opponent under 90.
Looking Ahead
The Warriors and Timberwolves will run it back in less than 24 hours, and Golden State will be looking to replicate the same energy and execution - especially on the defensive end. If they can bottle up what they did Sunday night, they’ll be a tough out for anyone.
As for Curry, the climb continues. Every game brings him closer to the legends ahead of him on the scoring list - and given how he’s playing, it’s only a matter of time before he adds a few more names to the list of those he’s passed.