Stephen Curry buries a deep three to power extra time, scoring 42 factors to raise the Warriors over Denver 137–131 of their season opener

Stephen Curry started his sixteenth NBA season by doing what he’s achieved for greater than a decade — hitting not possible pictures that silence doubters and ignite debates. On October 23, the 37-year-old famous person drilled a 40-foot three-pointer with beneath 10 seconds left in regulation to power extra time, ending with 42 factors, 8 assists, and 5 rebounds within the Golden State Warriors’ 137–131 victory over the Denver Nuggets at Chase Heart.

The shot — from simply inside the brand — tied the sport at 120–120 and set off a frenzy in San Francisco. Curry’s signature “night-night” celebration adopted as the house crowd erupted, marking yet one more defining second in his legendary profession.

Curry’s Deep Three Shifts Momentum

With 8 seconds remaining and the Warriors trailing by three, Curry took the inbound go close to midcourt. Draymond Inexperienced set a display close to the brand. That freed Curry from Christian Braun’s protection. From 35 to 40 toes out, Curry launched a high-arcing jumper over Braun’s contest — and drilled it clear by way of the web.

The sector exploded because the rating evened at 120. Denver referred to as timeout instantly. In the meantime, Curry gestured towards their bench. After that, mouthing “night-night” earlier than high-fiving teammates.

“I noticed house, I noticed the clock, and I trusted the reps,” Curry stated postgame. “That’s muscle reminiscence. That’s years of taking that very same shot again and again.”

The play, highlighted by @LegionHoops on X (previously Twitter), went viral inside seconds. Subsequently, amassing over 19,000 likes and 2,500 reposts as followers hailed it because the season’s first iconic second.

Sport Recap: Warriors 137, Nuggets 131 (OT)

Denver led by as many as 18 factors within the second quarter earlier than the Warriors clawed again behind their bench unit and Curry’s relentless taking pictures. Golden State closed the third quarter on a 14–2 run, organising a back-and-forth closing body that noticed Aaron Gordon and Curry commerce highlights.

Gordon was sensational, scoring a career-high 50 factors on 17-of-21 taking pictures, together with 10-of-11 from three — probably the most environment friendly 50-point efficiency in NBA historical past. But, Curry’s late-game heroics stole the highlight.

After his game-tying three despatched it to extra time, Curry dominated the additional interval, scoring 13 of Golden State’s 17 factors. The Nuggets briefly led 129–127 earlier than Curry hit a fading midrange jumper, then added two deep threes to shut it out.

Ultimate group stats mirrored the night time’s offensive showcase:

Draymond Inexperienced neared a triple-double with 15 factors, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists, whereas Buddy Hield added 18 off the bench. For Denver, Nikola Jokić posted 28 factors, 14 rebounds, and 13 assists, however missed a possible dagger three in regulation that arrange Curry’s game-tying bomb.

Curry’s Age-Defying Dominance

At 37 years previous, Curry continues to defy the norms of NBA longevity. In line with league monitoring knowledge, he maintains a 42.6% profession three-point share, and has really prolonged his efficient vary up to now two seasons. Photographs from 30+ toes — as soon as seen as desperation heaves — now fall at almost 40% accuracy, a testomony to his refined mechanics and endurance.

Thursday’s efficiency marked his twenty third profession sport with 40+ factors after age 35, probably the most by any participant not named Michael Jordan. It additionally gave him his tenth profession 40-point sport in opposition to Denver, additional cementing his dominance over one of many league’s high contenders.

“Steph has gotten older, however not slower,” stated Warriors coach Steve Kerr postgame. “If something, he’s extra environment friendly — his understanding of house, his timing, it’s surgical.”

Curry shot 13-of-25 total, 8-of-16 from deep, and 8-of-8 from the road, combining quantity with effectivity. He scored 11 factors within the closing 2:42 of regulation alone, outscoring Denver 13–10 in extra time by himself.

Aaron Gordon’s Profession Night time Overshadowed

Regardless of the loss, Aaron Gordon delivered a masterpiece. The Nuggets ahead exploded for 50 factors, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists, hitting 10 three-pointers — a profession excessive. His 81% field-goal price ranks among the many most effective 50-point video games ever recorded.

But, when the ultimate buzzer sounded, the highlight belonged to Curry.

“It’s exhausting to even be mad,” Gordon stated after the sport. “You do every little thing proper, after which he shoots from the brand. That’s Steph. You’ll be able to’t plan for that.”

Denver’s supporting solid struggled in extra time. Jamal Murray completed with 26 factors however shot solely 8-of-20, and Jokić, regardless of the triple-double, missed key pictures late as fatigue set in.

Fan Reactions: The Web Crowns Curry Once more

The X submit from @LegionHoops highlighting the shot captured the second completely — Curry roaring in a single body, mimicking a “sleep” gesture in one other, and Gordon staring down in disbelief.

The replies become a flood of reward and memes, with followers as soon as once more calling Curry the best shooter — and level guard — of all time.

High fan reactions included:

• @ranthaadon: “‘CURRY NOT CLUTCH’ — I’m crying.”
• @FergiesRightRef: “One dude’s taking pictures from logos. The opposite’s taking pictures free throws. We aren’t the identical.”
• @solomon_tech: “He’s BY FAR the best participant of our period.”
• @The1Hater: “One of the best level guard ever. Cease arguing it.”

Different posts tied the second to the bigger GOAT debate. Some in contrast Curry’s deep three to classic Kobe or Jordan clutch moments, whereas others joked that the shot “broke the legal guidelines of physics.”

Even Nuggets followers conceded admiration. “I hate it, however that man’s unreal,” one consumer posted. “Nobody else does that at 37.”

Legacy Second for a Residing Legend

For all his accolades — 4 championships, two MVPs, and a Finals MVP — Curry’s profession continues to evolve in actual time. His efficiency in opposition to Denver wasn’t nearly stats; it was about defiance, creativity, and longevity.

When requested postgame how he continues to carry out at this degree, Curry smiled: “I nonetheless like it. That’s the key. The second you cease loving this, you cease making these pictures.”

The win pushes Golden State to 2-0, whereas Denver falls to 0-1 in a hard-fought opener that reminded followers why the Warriors stay box-office basketball.

Ultimate Take

Steph Curry’s 40-foot bomb wasn’t simply one other clutch shot — it was a declaration that even at 37, he nonetheless controls basketball’s greatest moments. In opposition to a 50-point night time from Aaron Gordon and a three-time MVP in Nikola Jokić, Curry proved he’s nonetheless the league’s final showman.

For a participant who’s redefined what’s attainable from behind the arc, this was simply one other night time doing the not possible — and doing it with a smile.