Chef Curry heats up: The numbers behind Steph’s shooting streak

Steph Curry is on a tear.

He’s scored at least 32 points in each of the last eight games, including back-to-back 40-point performances this week in Warriors wins over the Nuggets and Thunder.

Curry’s streak since returning from a tailbone injury has helped the Warriors more firmly seat themselves in position for the Western Conference’s play-in round after several listless performances from Golden State without their star point guard. The Warriors have moved past the Spurs for the No. 9 seed in the West and they’re just one game behind Memphis for the No. 8 seed, which would provide two chances to make the playoff field from the play-in tournament.

If Curry keeps this up, he could also surpass Wizards guard Bradley Beal for the NBA scoring title. He’s currently just 0.3 points behind Beal’s 31 points per game average. Curry could also threaten teammate Klay Thompson’s NBA record of 14 made 3-pointers in a single game.

“It’s arguably the best I’ve felt physically and in rhythm shooting the ball, seeing the game,” Curry said after Wednesday’s win over the Thunder.

Steve Kerr agreed, saying the two-time MVP is “at the peak of his powers”.

“He’s functioning at a level that very few human beings have ever functioned at in their particular field,” Kerr said Wednesday. “It’s just beautiful to watch.”

Let’s take a look at Curry’s play since his March 29 return from a numerical perspective:

38.9: Points per game55.4: Field-goal percentage49.1: 3-point percentage91.2: Free-throw percentage75.1: True shooting percentage (gives weight to 3s, 2s and FTs)67: Warriors’ plus-minus with Curry on the floor-58: Warriors’ plus-minus without Curry on the floor16.4: Average points in third quarters90: Points over first 3 quarters in last 2 games53: Margin of Warriors’ vs. Raptors (only game during streak without Curry)2: Consecutive games with 10-plus 3-pointers made1: Ranking in Warriors’ scoring history (passed W. Chamberlain on Monday)

Over the last 3 games, his stats get even more impressive:

63.1: Field-goal percentage59.2: 3-point percentage+55: Plus-minus113: Points in the first three quarters29: Made three-pointers

Most threes in a 3-game span in NBA history:

29 — Steph Curry (Apr 9-14, 2021)
28 — Steph Curry (Jan 13-16, 2019)
28 — Steph Curry (Feb 24-27, 2016)
27 — Steph Curry (Feb 25-Mar 3, 2016)

(Submitted by @MikoPalero) pic.twitter.com/8UlwGN4l2V

— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 15, 2021