Stephen Curry knows that, even for a player of his remarkable abilities, nights like the history-making one the Golden State Warriors star enjoyed against the Orlando Magic on Thursday are not promised at this stage in his career.
Curry was at his sensational best as he delivered a remarkable 56-point effort to help the Warriors overcome a 17-point deficit in a 121-115 road win in Orlando.
Going 12-for-19 from three-point range, Curry tied LeBron James and Rick Barry for seventh on the NBA's all-time list with his 14th career 50-point game. Curry also surpassed Patrick Ewing for 26th on the all-time scoring list and, at 36, became the oldest player in NBA history with multiple 20-point quarters in a season.
Curry made sure to savor a special performance, keeping the game ball afterward.
The Warriors superstar told NBC Sports Bay Area on Thursday: "I knew about the 50-point thing, which is a cool honor, just longevity.
"With every gray hair that pops up on top of your head, you get to appreciate moments and milestones like this. Very, very special. Just scoring the basketball. I love to do it," Curry continued.
"I love to have nights like these. I just want to soak it all in."
His dazzling display came on the nine-year anniversary of his 46-point showing against the Oklahoma City Thunder, one he capped with a game-winning three from just past halfcourt with .5 seconds left in overtime. Curry also had his first 50-point performance on Feb. 27 at Madison Square Garden in 2013, a game that saw Curry go for 54.
"I guess I do like this calendar day," Curry remarked in his press conference.
"I had my first 50-point game in the Garden. So, I have to channel February 27 energy all the time. I don't know what it is, but tonight was different just because we needed all of them to kind of stay afloat and give ourselves a chance and then a lot of guys contributed down the stretch to help us win.
"But it's nice to have a flurry like that and have fun with it."
Things were not so memorable for the Magic after blowing a double-digit lead. Orlando dropped to 29-32 and sit as the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Magic are five games back from the No. 6 seeded Detroit Pistons and escaping the NBA Play-In Tournament.
