NBA

Kerr grateful for 50-point Curry 'putting on a show' despite Warriors loss at Clippers

By Sports Desk March 16, 2023

Steve Kerr praised Stephen Curry's ability to "put on a great show every night" as he recorded 50 points despite the Golden State Warriors losing on the road again at the Los Angeles Clippers.

Kawhi Leonard top-scored for the hosts with 30, but had far more help from his teammates as they ran out 134-126 victors at the Crypto.com Arena.

Curry did his best as he sank 20 of 28 field-goal attempts and eight of 14 three-point shots, but no other Golden State player was able to score more than the 19 managed by Jordan Poole.

While disappointed with yet another road defeat, coach Kerr was left in awe at Curry's performance.

"It's like when a guy's throwing a no-hitter, just leave him alone," Kerr said after the loss. "Let him sit in the dugout in between innings and don't say anything to him.

"It was stunning watching that show. Watching some of the shot-making, the playmaking. We're so lucky on so many levels to coach Steph, to play with Steph.

"Our fans, being able to watch Steph, he puts on a great show every night. But this ranks right up there with some of the greatest individual performances that I've ever seen from him."

It meant that Curry became the first player in NBA history to score 50+ points, make eight or more threes and shoot 70 per cent from the field while being on the losing team in regulation.

Draymond Green, who scored eight points with eight rebounds and five assists, was left frustrated that he and his teammates could not provide Curry with more assistance.

The Warriors suffered their 27th defeat on the road out of 34 games for the season, the most by a defending champion in the league's history.

"It sucks," Green said. "You just sit and think about what more could I have done to help him?

"When you get a guy going off like that, you need to find a way to capitalise on it. We didn't do that.

"There is always frustration after a loss. Yeah, I think we did play better, but at the end of the day, you've got to come out with a win. You've got to figure out a way to win."

Golden State (36-34) are sixth in the Western Conference, one place behind the Clippers (37-33), who have won four games in a row.

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