Stephen Curry Ties Michael Jordan's Record with 49-Point Performance Against Spurs

Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry continues to redefine basketball excellence in his 30s, delivering a spectacular 49-point performance Friday night that not only secured a dramatic 109-108 victory over the San Antonio Spurs but also tied him with Michael Jordan for one of the NBA's most impressive longevity records.

Historic Achievement

Curry's Friday night masterpiece marked his 44th 40-point game since turning 30, matching Michael Jordan's league record for most such performances by players in their 30s. The significance of the milestone wasn't lost on Curry, who acknowledged Jordan's iconic number 23 with hand gestures after surpassing the 40-point threshold. "I threw it up backward though," Curry said postgame. "That's the second time I've done that. But that's pretty cool just from an individual accomplishment perspective. Longevity is something I pride myself on."

Clutch Performance Under Pressure

The game's defining moment came with just 6.4 seconds remaining and the Warriors trailing by one point. Curry drew a crucial foul from De'Aaron Fox in transition, setting up pressure-packed free throws in a hostile road environment. As Curry prepared for his shots, Spurs star Victor Wembanyama actively encouraged the crowd to intensify their noise in an attempt to disrupt the Warriors' sharpshooter.

Rather than being rattled, Curry embraced the moment, walking closer to the crowd between free throws and mockingly encouraging even louder cheers. "Absolutely," Curry confirmed when asked if he noticed Wembanyama's crowd interaction. "I played into it." The psychological gamesmanship proved effective as Curry calmly sank both free throws, then helped secure the victory with a defensive stop on Fox at the buzzer.

Back-to-Back Dominance

This marked Curry's first back-to-back 40-point performances since 2022, coming at a critical juncture for the Warriors. The team had lost six consecutive road games before arriving in San Antonio, making Curry's consecutive explosive outings particularly timely. Just two days earlier, Curry had torched the same Spurs team for 46 points in a more comfortable victory, demonstrating remarkable consistency against the same opponent.

Remarkable Shooting Efficiency

Curry's scoring outburst was characterized by exceptional efficiency across multiple aspects of his game. He connected on nine three-pointers during the contest and continued his elite free throw shooting, going 66-of-70 from the line this season. According to advanced analytics from GeniusIQ, Curry scored 28 points on off-the-dribble jumpers Friday night, his highest total in that category since 2015, demonstrating his evolving offensive versatility.

Team Context and Leadership

The consecutive dominant performances came after Curry missed three games due to illness and struggled in his return Tuesday against Oklahoma City, scoring only 11 points while visibly fatigued. Warriors coach Steve Kerr provided motivational inspiration before Friday's game, drawing parallels to his Chicago Bulls experience. "He gave some references to how they approached their team and their identity by comparisons to a band coming together," Curry explained. "You got your lead singers, your bass, your acoustic, electric, drummer, stagehands, guys plugging in the speaker. He said he was just above the guy plugging in the speaker." Curry acknowledged that on this particular night, he was unquestionably the lead singer.

Curry's record-tying performance not only secured a crucial road victory but also reinforced his status as one of basketball's most enduring superstars. As he continues to build his legacy in his mid-30s, achievements like tying Michael Jordan's record underscore Curry's unique combination of skill, longevity, and clutch performance that continues to elevate the Warriors and captivate basketball fans worldwide.