Ranking the best 50-point games of Steph Curry’s career

Steph Curry went off for his 11th career 50-point game on Wednesday, against the Phoenix Suns. Which was his best high-scoring game ever?

As the Golden State Warriors continue to struggle this season, Curry has somehow managed to get even better in his 14th season. As of today, Curry is second in the NBA in scoring (32.8 points per game) and first in 3-pointers made.

While the team continues to struggle, there is still a ton of season left to play. This means there is plenty of time for the defending champions to get back comfortable and turn the year around. So let’s focus on the positive even as the Warriors go 0-8 on the road for the season. Curry continues to climb the all-time ranks and is now tied for ninth all-time with Allen Iverson in career 50-point games.

Which Steph Curry 50-point performance was the best of his career?

5. Golden State Warriors vs. Phoenix Suns (11/16/2022)

In just 36 minutes, Curry looked perfect on the floor and once again kept his struggling team in the game until the end.

Curry finished the game shooting 17-of-28 (60.7 percent) and 7-of-11 from 3-point range. With how efficient he has been throughout his career, it is hard to discuss Curry’s all-time best 50-point nights, without acknowledging that he is still one of the best in the league and is still putting together these kinds of monumental performances at 34 years old. This likely won’t be his last 50-point game, but if it is — there is no way someone could overlook this accomplishment.

4. Golden State Warriors vs. Washington Wizards (2/3/2016)

As we all know, many teams found themselves vulnerable to the Warriors in 2016 but nothing like how the Wizards felt on this night. Although John Wall put together a 41-point performance for Washington, he was outmatched and outclassed by Curry.

In just 36 minutes, Curry put up 51 points, was 19-of-28 from the field (67.9 percent), and 11-of-15 from 3. Although he played phenomenally, he still had 7 turnovers which is why this game doesn’t come within the top three.

3. Golden State Warriors vs. Dallas Mavericks (2/6/2021)

Fast-forward a month from a 62-point performance against the Blazers and you get a 57-point performance from Curry against a Western Conference contending Dallas Mavericks team. Typically, when Curry scores 50-plus points you’ll also see him committing at least four or five turnovers because the ball is in his hands so frequently. But this was one of the best nights taking care of the ball for Curry when it comes to his 50-point performances.

In a tight game down the stretch, the Mavericks were able to pull out the 134-132 victory over the Warriors, but Curry put together a shooting clinic. He shot 19-of-31 from the field and 11-of-19 from 3. He also only turned the ball over 3 times and despite the loss, finished a plus-7 for the game.

2. Portland Trail Blazers vs. Golden State Warriors (1/3/2021)

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NBA regular season was reduced to just 72 games and began on Dec. 22, 2020. There was some uncertainty on how players would adjust to not only the shortened off-season but also the shortened season. It only took six games until Curry gave us the answer.

In a head-to-head battle against Damian Lillard, Curry and the Warriors came out on top at home with a 137-122 victory. In just 36 minutes, Curry scored the most points in a single game in his entire career with 62 points, shot 18-of-31 from the field and 8-of-16 from 3. This game boosted the energy amongst NBA fans and helped get the excitement back for a shortened season and gave us another memorable Curry 50-point performance.

1. Golden State Warriors at New York Knicks (2/27/2013)

Not that the first time is always the most memorable, but for Curry to put up his first 50-point on the bright stage of Madison Square Garden made it that much sweeter. In 48 minutes, Curry scored 54 points on 18-of-28 shooting and 11-of-13 from 3.

This just so happened to be one of the three times Curry would score 50 points and his team would still lose. But, when you play the way Curry did, on this stage, at just 24 years old, this performance separates itself from the others.