Video: Warriors' Stephen Curry nails three-pointer to cap wild comeback
Who did the Warriors call on to lead a comeback from a 20-point fourth-quarter deficit against the Pelicans? Who else.
Stephen Curry hit a three-pointer over two Pelicans with less than three seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime, where Golden State emerged with a 123-119 road victory.
This was a performance to remember, even by Curry's lofty standards. Golden State faced a 96-79 deficit when Curry reentered the game with a little under eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. The Warriors would close the period on a 29-12 run, and Curry saved his best for last.
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After hitting a three-pointer to cut a five-point lead to two with 11 seconds remaining, Curry caught a break when Anthony Davis split a pair of free throws on the other end. Golden State set up its final possession of regulation, down three, on the left sideline.
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Draymond Green entered the ball to Curry, who came free in the left corner with Quincy Pondexter chasing him. Curry launched a quick shot that rimmed off short, but Marreese Speights came up with the offensive rebound and kicked it back out to Curry, who had spaced out to the left corner. Somehow, Pondexter lost Curry during the rebound, giving Curry just enough time to set his feet and square to the basket before both Davis and Tyreke Evans could challenge his shot.
Despite the presence of both defenders, Curry swished the shot with 2.8 seconds left, tying the game. An Evans desperation shot at the buzzer was no good, and the game proceeded to overtime.
"It's as good as it gets," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said of Curry's shot. "He got fouled too. It could have been a four-point play. To make that shot shows everything that Steph is about. ... His confidence level is off the charts. He's fearless. He wants every big shot."
Curry did fall to the court after launching the shot, and he said afterward that he was "clobbered" and he expected to have a chance to complete a four-point play.
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"It was just a good feeling to make the shot," Curry said.
Pelicans coach Monty Williams told reporters that he instructed his team to foul while up three points on the final possession to avoid a potential game-tying shot.
"We all feel like dirt right now," Williams said, adding later: "They shouldn't have even had that shot take place. We just didn't execute. We were supposed to foul."
Curry finished with a game-high 40 points, nine assists and five rebounds. Klay Thompson added 28 points and six rebounds for Golden State.
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Davis led the Pelicans with a team-high 29 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks. Ryan Anderson added 26 points and five rebounds.
The Warriors holds a 3-0 series lead over the Pelicans with Game 4 set for Saturday in New Orleans.
