In New Orleans, Steph Curry continues to prove why he's one of the NBA's all-time greats. At 37, he's averaging 27.2 points per game, leading the league in made 3-pointers per game (4.5) and boasting a stellar 93% free throw percentage.
Curry's consistency shines, having scored 40 or more points in four games this season, surpassing Michael Jordan's record for most 40-point games by a player over 30. Despite his age, Curry remains a top-10 player in the league, rarely dipping into single-digit scoring.
Curry's remarkable performance earned him a starting spot in the recent All-Star game in Inglewood, marking his 12th appearance in the prestigious event. However, despite his on-court brilliance, Curry finds himself ineligible for any postseason honors like All-NBA or MVP due to a league rule requiring players to participate in at least 65 games to qualify for these accolades.
Curry's recent absence from a win over the Nuggets, due to runner’s knee, marked his 18th missed game this season. He's been sidelined by various injuries, including a sore knee that's troubled him since January 30. This will be the first season since 2019-20 that Curry won't make an All-NBA team, a year when he was limited to six games due to a broken hand.
The 65-game rule, introduced in the 2023-24 season, aims to deter tanking and encourage teams to play their stars throughout the grueling 82-game schedule. Yet, this season, the rule's impact is evident as several icons may miss out on postseason recognition. LeBron James' 21-year streak on the All-NBA team is set to end, and Giannis Antetokounmpo could also miss out on All-NBA honors for the first time in a decade if he doesn't return to the court soon.
Nikola Jokic of Denver is on the brink of MVP ineligibility, having missed 16 games, while San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama and Luka Doncic, James' teammate in LA, face similar challenges. Injuries to star players remain a persistent issue, and the rule hasn't significantly increased their participation in games.
Back in December, Warriors coach Steve Kerr seemed indifferent to the pros and cons of the games played limit. Now, a few months later, Kerr emphasizes the team's focus on Curry's health.
Curry is set for a re-evaluation by team doctors in early March. "It’s a little tricky, but we’re going to keep plugging away at it, and Steph will take the right steps," Kerr remarked recently.