Stephen Curry has built a legacy around high-pressure moments, and on Sunday, the Golden State Warriors will once again rely on their longtime star in a winner-take-all setting.
Curry is set to appear in his sixth career Game 7 when the Warriors face the Houston Rockets on the road. He owns a 3–2 record in such games and holds a 32.6-point scoring average in those contests—fourth all-time behind Kevin Durant (36.2), LeBron James (34.9), and Michael Jordan (33.7).
“If you don’t show up with that appropriate mentality, then you got a long vacation ahead of you,” Curry said. “So you don’t want to be the team that’s packing up. We’re packing for a week. Getting on this plane to go to Texas and hopefully go to Minnesota right after. That’s the approach.”
The Warriors are coming off back-to-back losses in Games 5 and 6, with Houston using a zone defense to disrupt Curry and Golden State’s offensive rhythm. In Game 6, Curry attempted several contested three-pointers in an effort to jump-start the offense. He acknowledged the challenge of attacking the Rockets’ schemes while emphasizing the need to stay aggressive.
“They’re employing a zone defense for almost an entire half for a reason. They’re trying to force us into taking certain shots,” Curry said. “If you have an open shot, take it. Be assertive. Seek your shot, and we’ll accept the results.”
Curry’s most memorable Game 7 performance came in 2023, when he scored 50 points against the Sacramento Kings in a historic first-round win. He made 20 field goals and tallied 20 points from beyond the arc, showcasing his scoring versatility in a record-setting effort.
“That was just a great game overall,” Curry said. “Hopefully I can repeat that.”
While Golden State’s offense has sputtered at times, Curry believes the team has continued to compete, pointing to Houston’s execution and shot-making as a key factor in the series.
“There were times we would make a run and couldn’t get over the hump,” he said. “Like, you understand there’s pressure to win on your home floor. They’re playing great. Like, you got to give them credit. It’s not like we’re just laying an egg and rolling over. We’re fighting. We’re trying to compete.”
Despite the Warriors’ struggles, Curry remains optimistic about the opportunity ahead.
“In February, if you told us we had a Game 7, we would take that all day long,” he said. “How we got here, not happy about it, but we do have another opportunity.”
Golden State’s playoff hopes now rest on Curry’s shoulders once again. With a proven track record in elimination games and a reputation for rising to the moment, the Warriors will count on their leader to deliver again.
