Steph Curry Drops 48 in Return, But Warriors Fall Short Again
Steph Curry didn’t just return from injury on Sunday night - he returned with a vengeance. In only his second game back after missing over two weeks with a quad injury, the two-time MVP erupted for 48 points in a vintage scoring clinic. But even that wasn’t enough, as the Golden State Warriors fell 136-131 to the Portland Trail Blazers in a game that felt all too familiar for Warriors fans: Curry goes nuclear, but the team comes up short.
This was Curry’s fourth 40-point game of the season, and it came with efficiency that almost defies logic. He hit 16 of his 26 shots, including a ridiculous 12 threes, and was perfect from the free-throw line (4-for-4). It was the kind of performance that reminds you just how singular Curry still is - a 37-year-old guard who can warp a defense and carry an offense like few in NBA history.
But that’s the problem: he’s still doing it alone far too often.
Curry’s Brilliance, Team’s Struggles
Sunday night was a masterclass from Curry. But it was also a snapshot of everything that’s gone wrong for the Warriors this season. While Curry was lighting it up, the rest of the starting five struggled to keep pace - or even stay afloat.
Jimmy Butler, considered the team’s second-best option, finished with just 16 points on 3-of-11 shooting. That’s not the kind of support you need when your star is cooking like that. And while Draymond Green, Moses Moody, and Quentin Post combined for 37 points, their overall impact was muted - their collective box plus-minus sat at -13, a stat that reflects just how much the team struggled when they were on the court.
Golden State’s defense couldn’t contain Portland’s duo of Jerami Grant and Shaedon Sharpe, who each poured in 35 points. And when the game tightened in the final minutes, it was Deni Avdija who made the difference. Avdija came up clutch with a series of big plays down the stretch, finishing with 26 points, seven boards, and eight assists - a well-rounded performance that helped seal the win for the Blazers.
“No Help” Narrative Grows Louder
Curry’s latest scoring outburst has only amplified the growing frustration among Warriors fans. Social media lit up with comments echoing the same sentiment: he’s doing everything he can - and it’s still not enough.
From jokes about Curry carrying the team on his back (literally) to comparisons with the kind of help LeBron James has had in recent years, the message was clear: Curry needs more support. And it’s hard to argue with that when the team’s defensive lapses and offensive inconsistency keep wasting performances like this one.
Historic Company
Even in defeat, Curry made history. With Sunday’s 48-point effort, he passed Michael Jordan for the most 40-point games after turning 30.
Curry now has 45 such games, surpassing Jordan’s 44. Among active players, only Damian Lillard (31) and James Harden (30) are in the same neighborhood, with the late Kobe Bryant also tied at 30.
And the milestones don’t stop there. Since turning 35, Curry has now scored 45 or more points eight times - more than LeBron James (6) and Michael Jordan (3) combined. That’s not just longevity; that’s dominance deep into a career when most stars are winding down.
Now in his 17th NBA season, Curry is averaging 29.6 points per game - his highest mark since his 2020-21 scoring title campaign. He’s not just defying age; he’s rewriting what it looks like to be elite well into your late 30s.
What’s Next?
The Warriors have questions to answer - and fast. Curry is still delivering MVP-level performances, but the supporting cast hasn’t held up its end of the bargain. Whether it’s inconsistent shooting, defensive breakdowns, or a lack of urgency late in games, the issues are piling up.
And while Curry continues to put up historic numbers, the clock is ticking. The Warriors can’t afford to waste many more nights like this. Because as Curry showed once again on Sunday, he’s still capable of carrying a team - but even the greatest need help.