NBA 2021: Warriors' Stephen Curry goes off for 49 points in 29 minutes

Stephen Curry scored 49 points in 29 minutes and matched his season-best with 11 three-pointers as the Golden State Warriors beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 136-97 on Saturday night. The Warriors rookie James Wiseman’s season-ending knee surgery shifted the organization’s focus from developing the second-overall pick to making the most for a playoff push.

Since Wiseman suffered his meniscus injury on April 10, Curry and Draymond Green (15 points, 13 assists, five rebounds and two steals in 30 minutes Saturday) are playing as well as ever, and their championship credentials have created a sense of belief among an inexperienced set of players.

CURRY MAGIC

Curry was shooting 14 of 26 overall and 11 of 21 beyond the arc while fans serenaded him with chants of “MVP! MVP!’ as they have ever since being allowed back in Chase Center. He made five 3s in the first quarter, one in the second and five more in the third before sitting out the entire fourth quarter.

It’s the fifth time in the last 15 games and seventh game overall this season that Curry has had 10 or more 3s in a game, breaking his own single-season record of six set in 2018-19.

Draymond Green had 15 points and 13 assists to help the Warriors to their second win over the Thunder in three days. Alan Wiggins scored 18 points, and Jordan Poole had 16.

Curry got hot early and never let up. He scored 24 points in the first quarter, one fewer than the Thunder had as a team and went 7 for 7 on free throws.

That didn’t include what was arguably Curry’s most dramatic highlight on a shot he wasn’t given credit for. The 33-year-old dribbled behind his back at the top of the arc, drove near the key then flipped an off-balance, one-handed shot off the glass and in, but referees ruled that Curry had been fouled by Josh Hall before getting the shot off.

Svi Mykhailiuk scored 17 points and Luguentz Dort added 16 for Oklahoma City. The Thunder have lost six straight and 20 of 21.