Watch: Stephen Curry scores 51, hits 11 threes in win against Wizards

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors continued his onslaught on the rest of the NBA with an incredible performance against the Washington Wizards.

Rob Mahoney | Feb 3, 2016

Watch: Stephen Curry scores 51, hits 11 threes in win against Wizards /

Stephen Curry’s body of work has grown so substantial that his personal bests mean something. Things tend to get outrageous quickly when the reigning MVP starts to outpace his career marks, as was the case in a 51-point performance Tuesday night against the Wizards. Golden State held off Washington for a 134–121 victory for its 45th win this season.

Curry heated up right from the start with a 25-point first quarter. Curry lined up his first field goal attempt in Washington—a sidestep three-pointer—with just over nine minutes remaining in the first period. It bounced gently through the rim. He wouldn’t miss until he had tallied 17 points on six total shots, which was Curry’s only errant attempt in the quarter. After a short rest, the Warriors’ superstar guard picked up to go 4-of-4 from the field in the second quarter and finish with a career-best 36 in the first half.

• Harrison Barnes Q&A on Curry, the Warriors’ death lineup and more

The reigning MVP fell just one short of the record for three-pointers in an NBA game with 11 (he had eight at halftime.) Curry matched his career-high of 11 threes, but just missed a career-high 54 points set Feb. 27, 2013 at the New York Knicks. Wednesday was the second time dropping 50 points this season having scored 53 against the New Orleans Pelicans on Oct. 31.

First-time All-Star Draymond Green set a team record with his NBA-leading 10th triple double this season, posting 12 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists. Klay Thompson added 24 points for Golden State.

Photos: NBA’s active 50-point scorers

The NBA’s Active 50-Point Scorers

Jimmy Butler

52 vs Charlotte (Jan. 2, 2017), 53 vs Philadelphia (Jan. 14, 2016)

James Harden

53 vs. New York (Dec. 31, 2016), 51 vs Sacramento (April 1, 2015), 50 vs Denver (March, 19, 2015)

Isaiah Thomas

52 vs. Miami (Dec. 30, 2016)

John Wall

52 vs. Orlando (Dec. 6, 2016)

Russell Westbrook

51 vs Phoenix (Oct. 28, 2016), 54 vs Indiana (April 12, 2015)

Anthony Davis

50 vs New Orleans (Oct. 26, 2016), 59 vs Detroit (Feb. 21, 2016)

Damian Lillard

Todd Korol/Toronto Star via Getty Images

50 vs Toronto (March 4, 2016), 51 vs Golden State (Feb. 19, 2016)

Stephen Curry

51 vs Orlando (Feb. 25, 2016), 51 vs Washington (Feb. 6, 2016), 53 vs New Orleans (Oct. 31, 2015), 51 vs Dallas (Feb. 4, 2015), 54 vs New York (Feb. 27, 2013)

DeMarcus Cousins

55 vs Portland (Dec. 20, 2016), 56 vs Charlotte (Jan. 25, 2016)

Kemba Walker

52 vs Utah (Jan. 18, 2016)

Kyrie Irving

57 vs San Antonio (March 12, 2015), 55 vs Portland (Jan. 28, 2015)

Klay Thompson

60 vs Indiana (Dec. 5, 2016), 52 vs Sacramento (Jan. 23, 2015)

Corey Brewer

51 vs Houston (April 11, 2014)

Kevin Durant

51 vs Toronto (March 21, 2014), 54 vs Golden State (Jan. 17, 2014), 52 vs Dallas (Jan. 18, 2013), 51 vs Denver (Feb. 19, 2012)

LeBron James

61 vs. Charlotte (March 3, 2014), 51 vs Orlando (Feb. 3, 2011), 51 vs Sacramento (March 13, 2009), 55 vs Milwaukee (Feb. 20, 2009), 52 vs New York (Feb. 4, 2009), 50 vs New York (March 5, 2008), 51 vs Memphis (Jan. 15, 2008), 51 vs Utah (Jan. 21, 2006), 52 vs Milwaukee (Dec. 10, 2005), 56 vs Toronto (March 20, 2005)

Terrence Ross

51 vs L.A. Clippers (Jan. 25, 2014)

Carmelo Anthony

62 vs Charlotte (Jan. 24, 2014), 50 vs. Miami (April 2, 2013), 50 vs Houston (Feb. 7, 2011), 50 vs New York (Nov. 27, 2009)

Kevin Love

51 vs Oklahoma City (March 23, 2012)

Deron Williams

57 vs Charlotte (March 4, 2012)

Brandon Jennings

55 vs Golden State (Nov. 14, 2009)

Dwyane Wade

55 vs New York (April 12, 2009), 50 vs Utah (March 14, 2009), 50 vs Orlando (Feb. 22, 2009)

Jamal Crawford

50 vs Charlotte (Dec. 20, 2008), 52 vs Miami (Jan. 26, 2007), 50 vs Toronto (April 11, 2004)

Tony Parker

55 vs Minnesota (Nov. 5, 2008)

Dirk Nowitzki

50 vs Phoenix (June 1, 2006), 51 vs Golden State (March 23, 2006), 53 vs Houston (Dec. 2, 2004)

Paul Pierce

50 vs Cleveland (Feb. 15, 2006)

Vince Carter

51 vs Miami (Dec. 23, 2005), 51 vs Phoenix (Feb. 27, 2000)

Lost in Curry’s near-record performance was a 41-point game by Wizards point guard John Wall who led a second-half comeback.

• JENKINS: Inside a Curry Flurry: What it’s like when Curry is in the zone

Washington trimmed a double-digit Golden State lead in the third quarter with a change in its coverage on Curry—a different matchup (with Garrett Temple answering the call) and well-applied pressure.

It ultimately wasn’t enough as Washington fell to 21–26.

Curry received a well-deserved “splash bath” from Green after the game.

Draymond gives Steph a splash bath to try and cool him off following his 51! 💦💦💦 #NBAvine https://t.co/wfyWDMqhFB
— NBA (@NBA) February 4, 2016

Wednesday marked the eighth straight win for Golden State who improved to 45–4.

Published Feb 3, 2016

ROB MAHONEY

Rob Mahoney is an NBA writer dedicated to the minutiae of the game of basketball, its overarching themes and everything in between. He joined the Sports Illustrated staff in 2012.